Hear author Neridah McMullin and illustrator Jess Corkran read their new adventure story, Paddle Steamer Pearl, based on the remarkable story of Australia's first female river boat captain.

Young readers will enjoy an author reading with Neridah and Jess, including time for questions – then delight in building their own timber paddleboats, decorated to reflect their own river-faring adventures.

For those who accept the challenge and weather permitting, children can partake in paddle-boat races in the Library forecourt fountain – supervised by parents and carers and officiated by Library staff. All aboard!
 

Pearl and her family live on the paddle steamer Alpha. All day long, they paddle up and down the Darling and Murray rivers, trading everything from flour and tea to jewellery and wood. As summer arrives, the water levels suddenly drop. 

The Alpha is stranded! 

How will the family survive months on the dry riverbed? What can Pearl do to help? Will it ever rain?

What you need to know

• Tickets are only required for children attending, no ticket required for accompanying adults.
• This event is ideal for children aged 5 - 10.
• The author and illustrator reading takes place in the Library foyer from 10:00am.
• The craft activity commences at 10:30am, with paddle boat races from 11:00am, weather permitting

About the creators

Neridah McMullin is an award-winning author of 12 books for children, including Shearer, Drover, and Tearaway Coach. Her books have been shortlisted and notables for the CBCA Book of the Year and have won the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year for Young Readers. She is passionate about writing true stories.

Jessica Corkran grew up in New Zealand and migrated to the Sunshine Coast in Australia in 2009. Originally studying and working as a landscape architect, she finds inspiration in the natural and built landscape and its inhabitants. She works mostly in mixed media using acrylic paints, oil pastels, pencils and collage pieces. Busy landscape scenes that reward the viewer are one of her favourites to create. Paddle Steamer Pearl is Jessica’s first picture book.