Christina's Matilda

by Edel Wignell, Elizabeth Botté (Illustrator)

Overview

'Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me?'

Everyone knows the words.

Many people know that the Australian poet 'Banjo' Paterson wrote them.

But how may people know the origin of the tune?

In 1895 a young woman named Christina Macpherson sat down and played a marching tune she'd heard. 'Banjo' Paterson, who was visiting Christina's brother, liked it and wrote the words of a song to it. That song was 'Waltzing Matilda'.

'Banjo' became famous, and so did 'Waltzing Matilda'. But Christina's part in the song's creation was forgotten and she disappeared from history until the 1970s.

Come a-waltzing with Christina now and discover her story – beginning in the first year of her life, when she encountered the ruthless bushranger Dan Morgan...

Product Details

BN ID:	2940014697804
Publisher:	IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd)
Publication date:	06/21/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	34
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Edel Wignell is interested in history and folklore. Her first two collections were: A Boggle of Bunyips (1981) and A Bluey of Swaggies (1985).

In the last chapter of A Bluey of Swaggies, Edel told the story of the creation of the song 'Waltzing Matilda', and included Christina Macpherson who provided the tune. Luckily, in 2002, Edel met Diana Baillieu, a great-niece of Christina, who generously shared information and photographs from the Macpherson Archive.

See Edel's website: www.edelwignell.com for more information on the research and writing of this book.

Edel (the name rhymes with 'medal') is a freelance writer, compiler, journalist and poet who writes for both children and adults. She has more than 90 published books, the latest being the picture-stories Long Live Us! (Interactive Publications) and Bilby Secrets (Walker Books Australia).

Elizabeth Botté works long hours in her Melbourne studio, her eyes engrossed in the world of illustration, and her ears enthralled by lectures and talks from the world's wisest, together with a good dose of Radio National.

Once predominantly a painter, Elizabeth has now been lured to the wonderous realm of digital illustration. She produces work for film and tv, children's games, graphic design and visualisation projects, and the odd community mural.

The illustrator of over 25 titles including The Giggle Gum Tree (IP Kidz) Green Stuff For Kids (MUP) and the Touché schoolbook series (Pearson). Also she was an Extensive Reading Foundation awards finalist in 2008 and 2009.

Editorial Reviews

Elizabeth Botte's beautiful, intricate and intriguing line drawings which surround most of the page borders further promote one's desire to explore and discover.

Édel Wignell has successfully told the story of a modest woman who made a very significant contribution to Australia. The young and not so young reader will find it a most worthwhile read.

Jim Low

Everyone knows the song "Waltzing Matilda", but how many people know the true story behind its creation?

Christina MacPherson, playing a marching-band tune was the girl who originally inspired Banjo Patterson to write his song while Banjo was visiting her brother.

Though the old Scottish tune and the lyrics are remembered, Christina's part in the story was forgotten until the 1970s. Written by Edel Wignell and illustrated by Elizabeth Botte brings Christina's story to life.

Dee White

The song has since then had many lives, sometimes as a commercial ditty for Billy Tea, as a traditional song taught to school children across Australia, and in the mid twentieth century with an entire new melody attached to it. As time passes, discussion continues over which tune it is we sing to our great poet’s ballad. Both sheet music versions are here for readers to use. A gem of a book for all ages, especially those beginning to see that history can a demanding and stimulating.

Kevin Brophy

The real strength of this book lies in the retelling of historical events within the context of an ordinary life, kept alive through family history. Wignell has an engaging style which keeps the whole as one narrative. As with all family histories, there are necessary asides and qualifications, but it is overall a successful portrait of late 19th century colonial life for young readers.

Margaret Robson Kett

An unknown & fascinating piece of Aussie history, lusciously presented in sepia tones with archival photos as a non fiction, large format hardback for mid to upper primary.

Should be in every school library around Australia.

Krista Bell