Neridah McMullin (text) and Astred Hicks (illustrator), Evie and Rhino, Walker Books, October 2022, 272 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760654207
A young girl with a tragic past and a rhinoceros facing life in captivity form an unlikely bond after a fateful storm and a shipwreck bring them together.
Set in the 1890s, Evie’s life revolves around the shipwreck coast of Southwest Victoria. She walks the shores of the beach near Breamlea daily, casting her eye out across the same stormy seas where her parents drowned on a shipwreck not long past. The loss of her parents overwhelmed Evie so greatly, it trapped her voice inside her. Evie is a mute ten year old orphan, now living with her ornithologist Grandfather, their fiery housekeeper Cook, Duffer the farmer and a farmyard of beloved animals. Based loosely on a true event, Evie and Rhino opens with a rhinoceros and other exotic animals being shipped on the SS Bancoora from India to the Royal Melbourne Zoo, when the ship hits the rocky coastline. This sets off a series of events that changes Evie and her family’s world. When she discovers the exhausted Rhino, the potential danger doesn’t stop her from coaxing him to the farmyard barn to recover. For several weeks, Evie and Rhino are inseparable. But Evie knows each day brings them closer to separation as news of the zookeepers’ arrival is announced via telegraph.
Neridah McMullin grew up on a farm on the same coastline and captures the sounds and smells of this unique region – the horizontal biting rain, the fragrant melaleuca, the tang of salty air and crash of distant waves. Throughout the story, the wild coastal weather is ever present, reflective of the deep emotions and passionate characters in each chapter. On days of sadness wild storms rattle windows and threaten to rip open the leaking house roof. During happy and peaceful moments, the sun warms Evie as the native parrots squawk nearby. Evie is surrounded by playful farm animals which soften her sadness – her constant chook companions (indoor/outdoor chooks!), a horse, a house cow, cats and dogs add to an interesting cast of characters. Not forgetting the other castaway exotic animals that pop up along the way. Evie’s thoughts and Rhino’s perspective draw the reader in further through differing points of view which add layers of emotional depth. There are also clever subplots bringing each character to life on the page.
Peppered throughout the book are award winning illustrator Astred Hick’s line drawings of flora and fauna as well as handwritten letters and telegraph extracts that capture the essence of this historical period. The appendix has information on the true event of the SS Bancoora’s exotic animal cargo and their sad fate. A recipe for Cook’s apple pie is a sweet addition.
I live not far from Breamlea and on occasion walk the shore of this beach. After reading this book, I will now always look for Rhino and the cheeky monkeys hiding in the Moonah trees. I also found Evie and Rhino caused me to reflect on the history of our relationships with endangered animals and keeping them in captivity. This is also a beautiful heart tugging story of love and loss. The extract below from the farewell scene between Rhino and Evie captures the book’s theme so perfectly.
…everything the child is feeling, he understands. But she needs to understand this – once we are loved, we are never forgotten.
Evie and Rhino is a moving story of the extraordinary bonds between animals and humans. This book is recommended for 9-12 year old fans of Pax by Sarah Pennypacker or The Wild Robot by Peter Brown where animal bonds endure, and the emotional stakes are high. This book is destined to receive the well-deserved attention of the CBCA 2023 judges.
Reviewed by Stef Gemmill
Read Erica Gongora’s review of Evie and Rhino
