Dedication to Narelle Oliver (1960-2016)

Abstract

Much loved children’s book author and illustrator, Narelle Oliver, faded from life on 3 October. It is fitting that in this issue on wonder we call attention to Narelle’s love of literacy and amazing curiosity about different natural worlds. The inspiration and creation processes involved in producing her thirteen picture books testify to the extraordinary lengths to which she would go to capture the wonder of these worlds in each page and each picture. For example, to gather insight to create Sand Swimmers (1999) she went to every kind of desert in central Australia, even the very remote Gibber Desert where she pursued the elusive gibber bird by painstakingly and patiently sneaking across searing stones to savour its wonder. Most of Narelle’s books are non-fiction narratives that ignite awe and appreciation of Australian flora and fauna, hence we, Louise and Linda, co-editors of Practical Literacy, thought it entirely apt to dedicate this wonder-themed issue to the marvellous legacy that Narelle contributed across her career to igniting wonderings about this exquisitely beautiful and fascinating land we live on and with – Australia.