Shearer By: Neridah McMullin Childrens book Review

Shearer written by Neridah McMullin and Illustrated by Michael Tomkins , is an historical Australian children’s picture book about famous sheep shearer Jack Howe . Jack Howe was a shearer who sheared 321 sheep in one day using hand shears in 1982 a record that still stands today.

The book Shearer uses amzing bright and funny artwork and features shearing and historical Australian terminology making a great read for older children and features a glossary making it an excellent resource for those wanting to learn about Australia’s sheering history.

The true story about the greatest shearer in the world … whose incredible shearing record remains unbeaten after more than a century!

“Jack Howe had hands the size of tennis racquets, legs like tree trunks and wrists made of steel. Despite his size, he was light on his feet and did an excellent Irish Jig. But what Jack was really good at, was shearing sheep.”

A rollicking AuNeridah McMullin loves history and true stories. An author of eight books for children, Neridah is also an award winning short story writer and poet. Her latest picture book, published by Walker Books Australia in 2021, is called Drover, and is the true story of legendary drover, Edna Jessop. Neridah loves footy, family, birdwatching, walking her dog and meeting other people’s dogs.stralian story, set in 1892, about the charismatic, Jack Howe – the greatest shearer in the world who set the world record for shearing sheep by hand. He also invented the “singlet”!

About the Author

Neridah McMullin loves history and true stories. An author of eight books for children, Neridah is also an award winning short story writer and poet. Her latest picture book, published by Walker Books Australia in 2021, is called Drover, and is the true story of legendary drover, Edna Jessop. Neridah loves footy, family, birdwatching, walking her dog and meeting other people’s dogs.

About the Illustrator

Michael Tomkins grew up in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. He graduated from Sydney University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Design Computing. He went on to study Fine art at Julian Ashton art school where he began his passion and practice of plein air oil painting, capturing the beauty of Australian light. He now lives in the inner west of Sydney with his partner and cat. Michael’s art practice has spanned a variety of mediums including games, animation and illustration, working on projects with the ABC, Warner Bros, SMG games and several indie projects. Michael takes his learnings from these varied visual fields to bring his personal style into the world of children’s book illustration with his first book, Shearer. Michael also brings personal connection to the story of Jackie Howe, with a family history of sheep shearing. His mother grew up on a farm, with Michael’s grandpa, great uncles and great grandpa sheep shearers themselves, working and living near Dubbo in NSW.