The Useless Tune
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Keywords
children, child, bird, magpie, environment, children's books, picture books, juvenile literature, fiction, Australia, conservation
Non-Traditional Research Output
Original Creative Work
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2023
Research Statement
Research Background
An early Australian children’s book, ‘Dot and The Kangaroo’ (1920) by Ethel C. Pedley with illustrations by Frank P. Mahony, bears a frontispiece dedication which asks the children of Australia to care for the native animals whose “extinction…is being surely accomplished” (Dot and the Kangaroo, nd). Pedley’s anxiety now, 102 years later in a period of climate crisis, is part of the fabric of everyday consciousness and many children’s books continue to convey ethical messages. Our book conveys layers of meaning, including: hope instead of climate paralysis, the need to care for the environment, the unique beauty of Australian flora and fauna, the value of the creative process to the individual and to society, and the need for everyone to belong and have a home.
Research Contribution
This work contributes to a growing lineage of Children’s books created by artists. My approach inspired by 14th century frescos of the Italian painter Giotto’s experimentation with perspective and space, which through the medium of painting, is relatively rare in children’s book illustrations. The images reflect the colours of Australia, show the fragility of our ecosystem and the raw potential for disaster from floods, fire, and deforesting. To emulate the matte quality of frescos, transparent layers were employed using pencil, watercolour, and gouache. The paintings evolved, with many revisions, over 2 years. The fluid nature of the medium was important to breathe life into the forms and narrative but also to infuse the landscape as the key character of Australian bush.
Research Significance
The publisher Walker Books are international; the editor is canvasing for further editions in diverse languages at the bookfair in Frankfurt, Germany. The book was released nationally in Australia with substantial online presence and in major bookstores across capitals. A book tour was conducted from 10–16 April with wide media coverage– online, TV, radio, newspapers.
Medium
Children's Picture Book
Dimensions
237 x 307mm | 429g, Hardback | 32 pages
Publisher
Walker Books
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
58049
Additional Information
Text by Chris Uhlmann
Illustration by Paul Uhlmann
ISBN
9781760653729
Copyright
subscription content
Documentation Statement
This record presents a documented representation of the research output, including the research statement and associated contextual metadata. The creative work itself is not included. Where available, external links are provided to representations of the work.
Content Type
Documentation only
DOI Statement
The DOI refers to the repository metadata record only and serves as a documentation identifier.
Recommended Citation
Uhlmann, C. & Uhlmann, P. (2023). The useless tune. Walker Books. [Documentation record only]. Research Online. https://doi.org/10.25958/pefm-m284
Comments
https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/book/9781760653729/