Lofty's Mission.
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Krista's most recent title is Lofty's Mission (Lothian, 2008) a picture book illustrated by David Miller and launched at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
This fictional story, suitable for the whole of primary, is set in the early 1940's and follows the exploits of Lofty, a pigeon that has been bred by young Harley to be a champion racing pigeon. Harley is distraught when Lofty is taken from him to be trained as a messenger pigeon for the Australian army in New Guinea during World War II. Will Lofty ever come home? |
LOFTY'S MISSION
a picture book by Krista Bell, illustrated by David Miller was published by Lothian Books, an imprint of Hachette Livres Australia, in March 2008.
2008 NSW Premier's History Awards Shortlists
YOUNG PEOPLE'S HISTORY PRIZE ($15,000)
Krista Bell and David Miller (illus)
Lofty's Mission
Hachette Livre Australia Pty Ltd
In this delightful picture book, a young boy gives up his favourite racing pigeon, Lofty, to be trained as a carrier pigeon by the Australian army. Lofty's mission takes him from an outer suburb of Melbourne to training in Queensland, before being sent to work for Australian soldiers fighting in New Guinea. The deceptively simple story manages to evoke a rich sense of Australian social history, introducing young readers to the world of the 1940s pigeon enthusiast, to the spectre of polio, and to something of the role played by animals in war. Krista Bell's text is brought to life beautifully through David Miller's distinctive illustrations, which give an authentic glimpse of the world of an Australian family in the 1940s. The simple text is based on strong research, with a glossary explaining some of the technicalities of pigeon training and unfamiliar terms like ‘squeaker' and ‘tin lizzie'. This is a book that should inspire its readers to find out more, containing as it does tantalising details about such things as the Dickin Medal, awarded to animals for bravery in war, and capturing through Miller's illustrations something of the visual world of the 1940s.
STORY SYNOPSIS
This wartime story is set in the early 1940s in suburban Australia. Frank McNamara and his young son Harley breed racing pigeons. When the Army asks Frank to supply carrier pigeons for active service in New Guinea, he gives them Harley's special baby bird, Lofty, a six week old squeaker. Harley is devastated because he has bred this bird to be a champion racing pigeon. His dad insists that 'everyone has to make sacrifices for the war effort'.
Lofty heads north to be trained by the Army to fly behind enemy lines in New Guinea. Months later, when his platoon is ambushed, Lofty bravely carries a message through heavy enemy fire, sustaining major injuries, but reaching headquarters so that the entire platoon is saved.
Meanwhile down south, there is a parallel story. Harley has suffered a mild case of infantile paralysis and been hospitalised. Finally back home, Harley has no motivation to walk again and spends each day in bed reading books like The Secret Garden.
It is only when Harley learns, not only has Lofty won the Dickin Medal for bravery, but that he is safe, can be decommissioned and returned home, that Harley finally gets out of bed and walks again, so he can make preparations for his hero's return. Lofty's mission has been twofold: to save his platoon of soldiers up north - and down south to motivate Harley to walk again. After Lofty returns to Harley they create a new dynasty of champion racing pigeons.
There is a glossary explaining historical pigeon and army terms.
The illustrations are David Miller's superb paper sculptures.
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