"Charlie's Swim" By Edith Wright
Charlie’s Swim is a powerful true story of courage, survival, and recognition. Based on the heroic actions of Charlie D’Antoine, the uncle of author Edith Wright, this beautifully illustrated picture book recounts a little-known event during World War II—the Japanese air raid on Broome on 3 March 1942.
Amidst burning wreckage and enemy gunfire, Charlie dove into shark-infested waters to save a woman and her baby from a sinking flying boat. His bravery earned international recognition, but it would take 80 years for Australia to formally honour his actions.
Wright's storytelling brings to light the untold wartime heroism of an Aboriginal man, and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis’ emotive illustrations give life to both the drama and dignity of this historical event.
This is a vital addition to Australian children’s literature, one that acknowledges Aboriginal contributions to national history and offers a platform for truth-telling and recognition.
This title is featured in the Koori Curriculum Club, to gain access purchase your Koori Curriculum Club membership here.
- ISBN: 9781922613103
- ISBN-10: 192261310X
- Audience: Children
- For Ages: 9+ years old
- Format: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Number Of Pages: 32
- Published: 2nd March 2022
- Publisher: Magabala Books
- Country of Publication: AU
- Dimensions (cm): 25.5 x 25 x 1
- Weight (kg): 0.45
More About The Artist
More About The Artist


About Edith Wright
About Edith Wright
Edith Wright is a proud Yawuru woman and writer from Broome, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Deeply committed to telling First Nations stories, she uses her writing to honour cultural heritage, bring visibility to Aboriginal histories, and advocate for intergenerational truth-telling. Charlie’s Swim is her debut children’s book, written in tribute to her heroic uncle and to amplify the often-overlooked roles Aboriginal people played in Australia’s wartime history.
Edith Wright is a proud Yawuru woman and writer from Broome, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Deeply committed to telling First Nations stories, she uses her writing to honour cultural heritage, bring visibility to Aboriginal histories, and advocate for intergenerational truth-telling. Charlie’s Swim is her debut children’s book, written in tribute to her heroic uncle and to amplify the often-overlooked roles Aboriginal people played in Australia’s wartime history.