Prominent Adelaide human rights and disability advocate Annette Holden is the subject of Molly and Maple – The Guide Dogs who changed Nettie’s world, a new picture book written by long term friend, Canberra author Barbie Robinson and illustrated by Yass based artist Sara Phemister.
Hon Nat Cook MP, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Seniors and Ageing will launch the independently-published book at Shakespeare’s Books in Blackwood, Adelaide on Wednesday 27 November 2024 from 6pm. All are welcome.
The book deals with some difficult subject matter, including examples of real-life discrimination against blind and vision impaired people and the determination needed to overcome it. But the overarching theme is highly positive, detailing the way that Annette has demonstrated resilience, courage and perseverance in order to continue living a full and joy-filled life.
Her Guide Dogs Molly and Maple, who have been much photographed by Adelaide press when accompanying Annette to performances at the Adelaide Festival Centre and Port Adelaide AFL games, have played a major part in this quest and are featured prominently in the book.
‘The picture book is the perfect literary genre to deliver this sort of information,’ says author Barbie Robinson. ‘Picture books are necessarily concise and accessible. The illustrator’s paintings tell their own visual story, both linked to the text and independently.
‘As picture books are usually shared reading with adults, writers can use advanced vocabulary and create a learning experience that encompasses both both language and messaging. We learn to be good people from the beginning and where better to convey messages of human kindness and respect than in early reading?’
Virginia Haussegger AM, Journalist, Facilitation & Media Advisory writes of the book:
A beautiful, charming and moving celebration of an extraordinary woman who has turned adversity into a powerful life force, aided by the adorable Molly and Maple, her canine guardian angels.
Barbie Robinson’s heartwarming tale of how Nettie navigates a world she can no longer see, yet will never stop exploring, tugs at every thread of compassion and empathy in readers big and small. With gorgeous illustrations by Sara Phemister, this delightful book tells a gentle but profound story that will change the way you see.
Further information: https://www.shakespearesbooks.com.au/pages/9986-Events
