by a Mum of a 6-year-old
This was a genuine surprise hit. I wasn’t expecting a picture book about a 1980s camel race across Australia to hold my six-year-old’s attention so completely, but we’ve read it more times than I can count.
The story is based on a real event, an epic camel race that Dr Jill Colwell, one of the book’s authors, took part in with her camel, Tiki, who was an absolute handful. He’d never been ridden before the race, had a stubborn streak a mile wide, and spent much of the journey causing mischief among the other sixty-eight camels. My daughter thinks he’s hilarious, and honestly, so do I.
What makes this book special is that it doesn’t shy away from how hard the journey was. Jill and Tiki struggle, they clash, and there are real moments of doubt as they cross deserts on a gruelling three-month trek. But it’s full of warmth too: the way other racers pitch in with shelter and support is a lovely, understated lesson about teamwork my daughter picked up on herself. The turning point, when Jill and Tiki finally start working together through the Simpson Desert, is genuinely moving, even for the grown-up reading it aloud.
Craig Smith’s illustrations are fantastic, full of movement and personality. Tiki is drawn with so much cheeky character that my daughter has taken to doing her own “Tiki face” impression. The outback landscapes have real scale and beauty too, sparking several conversations about what it might be like to cross a desert.
As a mum, I love that this is a true story about a woman doing something remarkable and unexpected. My daughter is at the age where she’s soaking up ideas about what girls and women can do, and stories like this quietly build that belief without being preachy.
It’s a longer read, best suited to a settled bedtime rather than a quick one, but it’s never dragged for us. Highly recommend for camel-curious kids, animal lovers, or anyone after a true adventure story with heart.
Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race by by Kate Simpson and Dr Jill Colwell, illustrated by Craig Smith is available now from Allen & Unwin and major retailers for $24.99. A brilliant true adventure to add to your bookshelf!
