Tomboy and the Headstrong Horse by Susan Brocker

Tomboy the Headstrong Horse recounts the true story of the 1866 journey by horseback of Caroline and Nicolas Chevalier. The pair crossed the Southern Alps on Tomboy, a strong-willed horse who tested his rider. Leaving Christchurch, they travelled via the Hurunui Saddle and Taramakau River to Hokitika before returning via the newly created Arthur's Pass road.Caroline was the first European woman to make this rugged journey and she kept a diary while her husband, artist Nicholas, sketched their travels. Together, they faced storms, near-misses, and the untamed beauty of the land, led by a headstrong horse with a kind heart.  

I knew nothing of this story, despite having lived in Hokitika for more than a decade. It's a fascinating story and author Susan Brocker is well-suited for the job. With a history degree and a love of social history, as well as true animal stories, her depth of research is evident. Brocker includes historical notes and sketches in the story. Her descriptive, figurative language brings the landscape, and challenges the Chevaliers faced, to life in rich detail.

Illustrator Raymond McGrath perfectly captures the energy of the characters, and the landscape. He uses scale to perfection, pairing the looming, vast landscape with tiny silhouettes of the travelling team. Tomboy is full of character, leaping from the pages. The artwork is stylised, full of detail and the colour is fresh and unique.

This would make for such a wonderful book to kickstart learning within the classroom. Students could explore everything from the life of early explorers to  matauranga Māori, from native flora and fauna to artistic style and much more, the possibilities are endless.

Tomboy and the Headstrong Horse is a fantastic story from New Zealand's history brought to life for a new generation.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Scholastic