Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
Inga Simpson, author of the children’s picture book, The Peach King, has created a story to remember not just the devastation wrought by the bush fires which impacted the south coast of N.S.W. during the Black Summer of 2019-2020, but to celebrate the renewal of life as things recover after such a loss.
During this time, when it was obvious that the bushfire could not be stopped and would destroy everything in its path, farmers and neighbours banded together to remove all the fruit from the trees in the orchard even though they were not all ripe. These were then stored in a cool room making them very precious to the inhabitants in the area when so much had been lost.
The children’s book, The Peach King, begins as a fairy tale about a magical peach orchard which appeared in the author’s first novel, Mr Wigg.
In this latest story, the wise old peach king tree oversees the new orchard of saplings. It looked after their welfare by warning the young trees about weather changes and protecting them from grasshoppers who would feast on their leaves.
The book then describes what happens in the orchard during each season as the little peach trees grow. However, as the rains reduce the peach king’s limbs begin to fade and fall and when the Black Summer came the old tree leaned into the fire, spreading his branches wide but the heat caused his leaves to shrivel and crisp.
It was then that the little peach trees found their voice turning the wind around and saving the orchard. But it was too late for the peach king. Eventually rains came and the little trees grew as they were meant to.
Being a story about peach trees it is not surprising to find the inner pages of the cover decorated in fruit. The hard cover of this book depicts the old peach tree king on the front while on the back is the orchard. Both are shown on a peach-coloured background.
Through the hardship experienced by the people during the Black Summer, they have developed an even greater love for the fruit which grows in this area.
Inga Simpson, author of this contemporary fable about the resilience of nature, is one of Australia’s leading nature writers with some of her books being listed for prestigious awards.
Acclaimed illustrator, Tannya Harricks, provides the paintings which accompany this story about the weather that greatly affects our country and those who reside and work in its vicinity.
This was a very interesting read.
The Peach King
(2025)
by Inga Simpson
Illustrated by Tannya Harricks
Lothian Children’s Books
ISBN:978-0-7344-1851-7
$24.99; 36pp