"Free Diving" By Lorrae Coffin, Bronwyn Houston (Illustrator)

Free Diving is a poetic and moving picture book that pays tribute to the Aboriginal free divers of the late 1800s who worked under brutal conditions in the pearling industry along the Western Australian coast. Based on the poignant lyrics of Lorrae Coffin’s celebrated song, this fictionalised narrative follows a young Aboriginal man who leaves his country and kin to work aboard a pearling lugger, diving into deep and dangerous waters alongside Japanese and Malay divers.

With lyrical text that sings of longing and courage, and Bronwyn Houston's vivid underwater illustrations, Free Diving is both a cultural remembrance and a celebration of strength and solidarity. This story sheds light on a significant but often overlooked part of Australian history, making it a vital addition to classrooms and family bookshelves alike.

A respectful, educational, and visually stunning resource, Free Diving invites young readers to reflect on history, resilience, and the enduring connection to sea and Country.

• ISBN: 9781925360738
• ISBN-10: 1925360733
• Audience: Children
• For Ages: 7 - 10 years old
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number Of Pages: 32
• Published: 1st September 2017
• Publisher: Magabala Books
• Country of Publication: AU
• Dimensions (cm): 25.6 x 22.6 x 0.5
• Weight (kg): 0.19