One dark
and stormy night, the lighthouse in Broome is overwhelmed by a storm. The
lighthouse keeper rushes to ensure the lamp is well lit, and while he is gone –
an unexpected parade of marine animals make their way inside, out of the storm.
Cassius the
Crab, Trev the Turtle, Jacob the Jellyfish, Olena the Octopus and Bruce the
Bluebone fish hustle inside to find cosy solace… in the lighthouse keeper’s
bed!
Of course,
you can imagine the reception they receive when the grumpy keeper returns!
It was
fascinating to learn about the Broome lighthouse at Gantheaume Point. Built in
1905, the light was fuelled by kerosene and looked after by a lighthouse keeper
until 1922, when the light was connected to mains electricity… and sadly, a lighthouse
keeper was needed no more.
Author
Corpus is a Yawuru and Nyul Nyul woman from the Kimberley Region of Western
Australia. She is an early childhood teacher and originally wrote The Grumpy
Lighthouse Keeper as a literacy tool for her preschool programmes.
Illustrator
Prewett is descended from the Ngarluma people of the Pilbara Region in Western Australia. She
works with Corpus in early learning programmes, and her artwork is in
collections all over Australia.
A sweet and
funny tale animal-lovers will adore, with that delectable touch of history.
Title: The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper
Author: Terrizita Corpus
Illustrator: Maggie Prewett
Publisher: Magabala Books, $17.95
Publication
Date: May 2011
ISBN: 9781921248337
Format: Soft cover
For
ages: 3 – 8
Type: Picture Book
