GETTING STARTED

Overview

'Ziba came on a boat. A soggy old fishing boat that creaked and moaned as it rose and fell, rose and fell, across an endless sea.

Even while Ziba is travelling to another place, she remembers her home – playing, eating and working.

She remembers her father telling stories and poems of long ago.

And she remembers gunfire and running away.

Her dream is full of welcoming, smiling people.

And her mother hopes for freedom as their boat 'rose and fell, rose and fell, across an endless sea …'

This is a story of refugees for young readers.

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Author profile

Liz was born in Perth and still lives there with her husband and their two daughters. After graduating from teachers' college she spent several years working in local schools before heading off to travel the world.

While she was living and working in London she met her husband, a budding photographer. She now teaches at a local primary school and has worked in a volunteer capacity with local refugees. This is her first picture book.

Source: Penguin Books (used with permission)

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Illustrator profile

In his 30-year career, internationally accomplished artist Robert Ingpen has illustrated more than 100 books for children and adults. In 1986 he became the only Australian to be awarded the highest honour in the children's book world, the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, for his lasting contribution to children's literature. In 1989, Robert was awarded the Dromkeen Medal for significant contribution to the appreciation and development of children's literature. Robert Ingpen first rose to prominence with his illustrations for Colin Thiele's Storm Boy, winning the first Visual Arts Board award for children's book illustration.

Source: Penguin Books (used with permission)

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Useful websites

• Afghanistan's Children Speak to the UN Special Session
  http://www.savethechildren.org/publications

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Focus questions

Before reading the book

• Who do you think Ziba is?
• From the front cover, how do you think she is feeling?
• Why do you think there are two images – the face and the boat – on the front cover?
• What might the story behind the boat be?
• The title is written in a 'wave' shape. Why do you think this shape is used?
• The blurb at the back of the book talks about refugees from Afghanistan. What are refugees? What do you know about Afghanistan?

During and after reading the book

• Who are 'boat people'? Why is the boat so crowded?
• What does Ziba remember about Afghanistan? How is Afghanistan different from Australia?
• Where might Ziba's father be?
• Why do you think Ziba couldn't go to school?
• What might have happened after the gunfire?
• What might happen when the boat lands?