Robber Girl by Margaret Wild & Donna Rawlins

This book by Margaret Wild is probably best suited to upper primary students due to the language which is heavily influenced by traditional literature and its themes of physical and emotional isolation. That's not to say that the book isn't accessibe to, or couldn't be enjoyed and unpacked by a younger audience; depends on their experience with literature I guess. The illustrations by Donna Rawlins place Wild’s tale in the deep and unrelenting winter of a pre-industrial Europe with Wild drawing on many familiar motifs from this time, notably the feral child, the stolen child and groups of three in terms of animals and events. The main character "the robber girl" yearns for human companionship, yet finally understands that a person cannot really enjoy or justify keeping what is not rightfully theirs. The story centres around a young girl who ekes out an existence in an untamed forest which is harsh and unforgiving during the long winter months. Her closets companions are a wise old bear, a wolf and an owl. Despite their protective and nuturing ways, she feels overwhelmed by lonliness during the dark wintery months and when a farmer's son, Josiah, strays far from the house one day, the "robber girl" is compelled to do what she does... 

"Robber girl" with her companions, old bear, fox and owl

Space Travellers by Margaret Wild

1. Zac and his mum live in a big city and they are homeless. Every evening they sleep in a big rocket which stands in the middle of a park. Zac loves the rocket and at night he dreams he is in outer space. This is a sensitive depiction of homeless life and will hopefully help younger students better understand this problem in society. Gregory Roger's illustrations are stunning, especially the night scenes from the rocket where the city lights do give the reader a closeness to the stars. Margaret Wild has written more than forty popular and award-winning books for children including Let the Celebrations Begin and Our Granny, both of which are available for borrowing from our Little Library of Rescued Books.

Let the Celebrations Begin by Margaret Wild & Julie Vivas

Let the Celebrations Begin was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year in 1992. A girl called Miriam and some other women are planning a special party as celebration of their liberation when the soldiers arrive. No direct mention of the concentration camp is made but older readers with background information would be quick to realize where this book is set. It is certainly not a gloomy book, in fact it is quite an uplifting one. For many Jewish people suffering at the hands of a despotic regime, hope of a better life was paramount.The fact that many Jewish people survived such unimaginable horrors should be celebrated. Wild has written more than forty books for children and she is an author well worth following. Julie Vivas of Possum Magic fame has provided the beautiful water colour illustrations which bring this poignant story to life.