While Papa is away for a long time taking the sandalwood he has cut into town, Lizzie, Mama, and the baby are left alone in their little house in the Australian bush. Young Lizzie uses her imagination—what Mama calls her nonsense—to brighten the days of hard work and loneliness until Papa returns. Ormerod’s watercolor illustrations for this story, based upon events in her own family’s history, beautifully portray the hardships the family faces in the bush and the warmth of the loving relationship that sustains them. 2006 USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Books List, 2006 IBBY Honor List, 2005 BCCB Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award, shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s 2005 Picture Book of the Year Award. ca, hc

Originally published by Little Hare Books Australia, in 2004.

Pioneers in the Australian bush, like those on America s western frontier, had isolated, difficult lives. In this story, based on the author s own family history, Papa goes away to work, leaving Lizzie and Mama and baby alone in their little house. Lizzie s playful pretending turns routine chores into games and adventures. Mama calls it Lizzie nonsense, but Mama herself has an imaginative, lighthearted side.
Stunning landscapes and graceful, affectionately drawn characters make Jan Ormerod s remarkable paintings an evocative counterpart to this touching portrayal of family ties in pioneer days."