AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS
Len Waters
Boundless and Born to Fly
By Catherine Bauer
Published by Big Sky Publishing
Hardback, RRP $24.99
ISBN 9781922488596
Big Sky Publishing has produced an excellent range of books for young readers on various military history topics. This book is a fine example of the AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS series.
It tells the moving story of Len Waters who was born behind the gates of an Aboriginal reserve, but whose big imagination and even bigger dreams took him soaring well beyond the reach of those who tried to confine him.
Kamilaroi man Len Waters dreamed of taking to the skies. It was an unlikely dream at the time, but during WWII he beat the odds to become Australia’s first known Aboriginal fighter pilot.
Rules and restrictions controlled much of Len’s early life. Born in the 1920s, Len had a basic education but a sharp mind. He had a boundless work ethic. Len also had big dreams and a family who supported them.
Len was a history maker, a young man who didn’t let society’s prejudice, his culture or skin colour stand in his way. But when WWII was over, Len sadly discovered that his service and courage did not result in equality. Len once said that, out of his RAAF uniform, he simply ‘returned to being a black fellow’.
Today, decades later, Len’s determination and achievements are recognised and honoured across Australia.
VERDICT: This book is ideally presented for younger readers – probably upper primary to early high school. It is nicely laid out and illustrated with breakout panels of Did you know? These snippets provide context and background the story.
If you have a grandson or granddaughter expressing interest in military service, then this is an inspiring story I’m sure they’ll love. More generally, it’s a story that breaks down stereotypes and encourages young readers to ‘reach for the stars’ while providing a valuable insight into the struggle for recognition of Australia’s First Nations people.
I’d encourage you to check out Big Sky’s offering of children’s books. Christmas isn’t that far away now. Isn’t it time to be thinking of stocking fillers for that special child in your midst?
I’ve also included a link below to the very helpful teachers’ notes.
This will give you an insight into the educational possibilities for this book.
militarybooksaustralia.com 