Not very often does a book come along that illustrates the harshness of a drought in such a simplistic form as Two Summers. Simplistic meaning it’s a picture book. Picture books these days vary as to whether they are suitable for younger readers. Two Summers fits into both categories, for older and a younger audience.

In 2004 Two Summers was short-listed for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards. John Heffernan and Freya Blackwood have combined their talents to create this fabulous Australian tale, seen through the eyes of a young male protagonist. Heffernan has used a young voice for a narrator who is never identified by name. The narrator’s friend Rick is coming from the city to visit. However, this summer is markedly different from Rick’s last visit to the farm. Our young narrator endeavors to compare and contrast the two summers by contemplating Rick’s last visit. He also attempts to predict how Rick will cope with the changes he observes upon his final arrival at the farm.  

John Heffernan, the author, operates a farm in Northern New South Wales that runs sheep and cattle and has done so for the past twenty-five years. This would be enough to explain his knowledge and passion for writing two summers. However, he was first trained as a teacher and has a masters degree in Educational Psychology which I believe explains why his portrayal of the young protagonist is so believable and ultimately having such appeal to a younger readership. 

Heffernan has been writing since 1997 and in that time has written 14 books. They have been a mixture of picture books and novels for the age group of around 10 – 14 years. His first series started with the novel Spud , told through the eyes of a Blue Heeler and set in the Australian bush, similar to the setting of Two Summers . Although Heffernan began his writing style with the Australian Outback he has since extended his genres of children’s literature to include fantasy, science fiction and war. 

Freya Blackwood is new to the field of illustrating children's books. Her first attempt has bought her great recognition on account of winning the Crichton Award, which is a national award administered by the Victorian Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia. This award is given to recognize and encourage new talent in the field of Australian Children's Book Illustrations. Blackwood researched and observed the 2002-2003 drought that enabled her to effectively display such accurate illustrations. 

Blackwood’s brilliant watercolour illustrations complement Heffernan’s writing and bring further meaning to the text that provides only the basics. By using a young narrator Heffernan has kept the descriptions of drought simple. The text is not dramatic and at no time is the word ‘drought’ mentioned throughout the entire book. I think this technique is what makes this book so simple yet powerful and confronting. Very Australian! 

Two Summers is a highly visual text. Blackwood’s full page illustrations allow the reader to immerse themselves into the book. I could take my time here to describe the illustrations but I know my personal insight wouldn’t do them justice. It is now up to you to go and experience Heffernan and Blackwood's masterpiece first hand.

Review by Kellie Grant

This piece was originally submitted as part of the course work in Australian Children's Literature. It listed as references:

Heffernan, .J. and Blackwood, F. (2003) Two Summers, Lindfield, NSW: Scholastic Press. 

Heffernan, J. (1997) Spud, Hunter's Hill, NSW: Margaret Hamilton Books 

Heffernan, J. (2001) John Heffernan: Australian Author of Children’s Books. [online]. Available: http://www.spudplus.com [Accessed 4 April 2005]

© 2005 Kellie Grant