The publisher says...

Matthew Flinders was determined to map the entire coast of the continent we now call Australia. His story is packed to the gunwales with adventure – storms and shipwrecks, death and danger, a race to beat the French. But more than this, it is a story of loyalty to his crew, love for his wife, and affection for the brave little cat who sailed with him. 

The illustrator says...

Click on the below icon to watch a video created by Prue Pittock where she talks about how it felt to be shortlisted and shares some of her original illustrations.

The CBCA judges say...

This book presents an engaging overview of Matthew Flinders' life and journeys. Factual information is cleverly conveyed through a narrative format that engages readers through accompanying contemporary-feeling illustration style and design choices. The author has chosen fascinating information to build the reader's understanding of Flinders' life and experiences and this is supported by the addition of a timeline, glossary and maps. The illustrations are whimsical and depict an accurate representation of the life and times of the age, adding to the factual nature of the book.

The Reading Time reviewers say...