Just So Stories

Walker Books

August 2023

ISBN13: 9781760654191

Australia RRP:$26.99

New Zealand RRP:$28.99

After many months of hearing of the progress with this new book from Neridah McMullin, I was tremendously pleased to finally hold it in my hands, and enjoy the narrative account of two remarkable Australian women.

I freely admit I had never heard of Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell. And really, is that a surprise? We have never learned about the extraordinary, and often ground-breaking, women in our national history when I went to school.

I admit, perhaps people of my parents’ generation (both born in the 1920s) would have heard of the extraordinary travels of this pair of friends, and how their amazing journey across our continent, helped to actually map it (while possibly being an extremely early example of corporate sponsorship).

At a time when women (aka “ladies”) rarely if ever drove a car, Jean and Kathleen determined to beat the land speed record from Perth to Adelaide, byset months earlier by Norman Smith, in the face of scorn, ridicule and utter disbelief. Not only did they beat Smith’s record, but they did it by five hours – sorry, I’ll repeat that FIVE HOURS! And then, not content with that, went on to create more motoring history and records, around the world.

Let’s remember that in 1927 cars and equipment were still pretty primitive, these two women were driving over ground and landscapes that daunt many drivers still today and for much of their trip, they were completely reliant on their own skills, strength and knowledge.

As those who know me are aware, I love history, and I particularly love Australian history, particularly these ‘untold’ or forgotten stories. I love that talented authors can take this history and transform it into an attractive and engaging format, and bring these lost moments and events to our young ‘uns today. Neridah McMullin really has a talent for reinventing historical records into factional narratives (just look at Evie & Rhino) building on her own interest in history and bringing it to a new audience.

I highly recommend this to you and can tell you that I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of Shearer! I’m sure you will also enjoy this interview Neridah did with illustrator Lucia.

Check out Walker’s Australian History catalogue – I have reviewed quite a number of these in the past decade.