Publisher's synopsis
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle was written by Banjo Paterson in 1896. It was written at a time when cycling was a relatively new and popular social activity. Cycles were ridden everywhere, including in the outback by shearers and other workers who needed to travel cheaply. It tells the hilarious story of Mulga Bill, who thinks he’s much better at cycling than he turns out to be. A resounding crash sends him back to his original mode of transport – his trusty horse. Kilmeny and Deborah Niland’s delightful illustrations catch the mood and humour of Paterson’s verse with great spirit, and this book has become an enduring classic.
Awards
- Winner 1973 ABPA Book Design Award
- Winner 1974 Visual Arts Board Award
- Winner 1976 IBBY Certificate of Honour
Illustrators
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle was illustrated by twin sisters Deborah and Kilmeny Niland, daughters of author Ruth Park.
Click here to read more about Deborah Niland.
Complementary content
STORY BOX LIBRARY
A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson was born at Narrambla Station near Orange in New South Wales. He worked as a lawyer’s clerk before becoming a solicitor. After the publication of The Man From Snowy River and Other Verses in 1895, he became something of a celebrity, travelling widely throughout Australia. He was a war correspondent in the Boer War in South Africa, and covered the Boxer Rebellion in China.
He later became editor of the Sydney Evening News and then the Australian Town and Country Journal. During World War I, unable to get to the front in France, he joined the Remount Service in Australia which supplied horses for the cavalry in the Middle East.
After the War he returned to Sydney, journalism and writing poetry and prose. Paterson is best remembered as the author of Waltzing Matilda – Australia’s unofficial national anthem.
Deborah Niland has been drawing and painting all her life. She has painted for art exhibitions and galleries, and illustrated for newspapers and magazines. Most of all, she has built a successful career illustrating children’s books.
Some well-known and popular titles include Mulga Bill’s Bicycle, When The Wind Changed and There’s a Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake and Chatterbox.
Deborah now enjoys writing and illustrating her own stories. She has had great success with Annie’s Chair. This picture book, first published in 2005, has won many awards, including the 2006 Children’s Book of the Year Early Childhood, and several Children’s Choice awards. Annie to the Rescue, a follow-up tale of the intrepid little girl, was published in 2007.
Now that her own children have grown up, Deborah has enjoyed spending time widening her knowledge of different illustration techniques, both traditional and digital. Other interests include doodling, fine art painting, photography, and playing with the grandchildren.
More information about Deborah and her books can be found at www.deborah-niland.com.au
