February Dragon

by Colin Thiele

Bottlebrush Barn, the home of the Pine family, lies halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide. A peaceful place of cattle and sheep, possums and unusual pets, pasture and scrub, the farm is linked to the township of Upper Gumbowie by a winding road that skirts the uncleared Big Scrub. Along the road a school bus lollops and lurches, carrying the children of the district-- the three young Pines, Don and Debbie Dobson, "Burp" Heaslip, and others-- to school.

The story is concerned with their daily adventures-- fishing for yabbies, taming unusual pets, exhibiting in the local Show, astonishing their teachers, using turpentine to cure their dogs of scurf, and all the rest. Like all Thiele's fiction, the book is more than a collection of lively anecdotes. It is the story of the fearful February Dragon--the bushfire--and how, unleashed by the stupidity or the arrogant carelessness of people such as Aunt Hester, it brings tragedy to hundreds of innocent victims every year.

This moving story, which was written with the encouragement of the Bushfire Research Council of South Australia, contains a message for all Australians, young and adult alike. It is a rattling good yarn in the tradition of Colin Thiele's earlier fiction, Storm Boy and Sun on the Stubble.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Australia, Classics, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (1997).

Reviews

[Debby]

The main characters of this story are the three Pine children - Resin, Turps, and Columbine (nicknames). They live in the Outback of Australia (the author's homeland). The story gives details of life in Australia and general characteristics of lands south of the equator that make it unique and interesting. The climax of the story is the bush fire that destroys a large area of the land including the Pine's farm and animals. The fire is the "February Dragon" because Feb. is a dry season when it is most common to have fires.

It was a good book giving a taste of life in another part of the world for younger readers.

[Jo Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I bought with my own money way back in the 80's. I have just read it again after 27 years and was blown away. What a fabulous story. Full of everything that childhoods should be made of; adventure, family, animals, community, fun and laughter. The last 2 chapters are not an easy read, as we see everything we have grown to love and cherish go up in flames. This book is an absolute treasure. I won't wait 27 years between reads next time.

[Brooke Shearing]

it was a good book we had to read it for English and I found it very interesting

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mum read this to me as a kid. And her mother read it to her. I read it to my class over the last couple of months, and I'm so glad I did.

One thing I LOVE to do with choosing books to read aloud to my class, is choosing books that they normally wouldn't or couldn't read themselves. Thiele's language is so descriptive and since it was published in 1966, a bit old-fashioned compared to what my 10 year olds are used to.

The first half of the book was a bit slow for most of my class.... but the final 80 pages or so they were desperate to keep reading. We read the whole last two chapters today, and there were so many tears (from me and them!), and a few laughs and smiles too.

I don't know how well this would translate to non-Aussies, or those who live in areas that are nowhere near bushfire areas, but we loved it.

Full review coming soon on https://www.theteacherslibrary.org

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Taken from the Goodreads book page, "The lives of three Australian children are cruelly affected when a bushfire known as the February Dragon sweeps across the countryside."

Colin Thiele weaves a fascinating but heartbreaking story. It is also one of those either you like it or don't, I did not like the book. At times I found myself disinterested because I got lost on what was going on or who was who. It is a Childrens book, and I may have liked it more when I was younger but as an Adult it is a nope or me. I made myself finish and wow, it is a very sad story.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate it when I want to cry but I need to keep reading aloud to my children.

This book is typical Colin Thiele Australian fiction. Fun loving Aussie kids and the antics they get up to in a small country town. But the ending is tragic so have your tissues nearby.

[Naomi McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of my childhood, together with Storm Boy. My dad was a teacher and read to us with such passion and engagement. I remember him complaining that we never looked up from our books on our 4 month trip around Australia when I was 8.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why can Colin Thiele only write really really really really really sad books???

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did this in school 50 years ago. Essential for all Australian kids. Loved it to bits. Recommend for all ages.

[Rohan Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I read in Year 7 - and as we read it, the world went dark as Melbourne was inundated by a dust storm. I will never forget that day and therefore this book brings back the memories of that day.The story itself is actually very good (I re-read it about 10 years ago) and is written for tweenies.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It brought back memories of my childhood living in a bushfire prone area of rural Australia. I just found the writing so simple and good. And best of all it was a book for children. In the sense that it referred to things of childhood. In this angst ridden dystopic universe of books we have for children and young adults today, this was a peach!

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in primary school and STILL remember how much it affected me. I cried when the dog died.
This book should be required reading for all school children to learn how fragile a dry land can be, and how easily a bushfire is started. I hope it will continue to encourage more people to be responsible and aware of the damage ignorance and carelessness can do.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written for children, and although well-written and initially informative and enjoyable, I thought it ended on too unhappy a note for children (and adults!); especially with the death of all the poor animals and loss of home.

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in high school, almost thirty years ago, and it still stands out in my memory as a truly Australian tale, well told and evocative of the long hot dangerous summers that we face.

[Shelagh Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I lived in Adelaide, age around eleven,and it affected me deeply, just found one to read again, forty seven years later, and can't wait to read it again.
Due to reading this, along with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, has given me a life long love of reading.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every Australian should read at least once. It's a book that will really make you realise what it is like to live in a country like ours. Brilliantly written Colin Thiele is one of the most underrated Australian authors ever

[Clare S-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved and hated this book. It was so well written but so sad.... then again I don't think I have read a book by Colin Thiele that was not rather depressing.Yest I think this is one of his best ones.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good book, and it provided a great insight into life in country victoria. Read it so many times-it's fabulous!

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in primary school. I found it fascinating. I live mere hours from where the book was set yet life was so different. One of the few books I had finished at that age.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

touchin book, read it in grade 6 and would recommend to anyone

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that got me reading. I was entranced as my 7th grade teacher read it to us and couldnt wait till the next chapter.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will make you laugh, cry and rage at how stupid some people can be when it comes to one of the most terrifying natural forces - wildfire.

[Raelene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It was a childhood favourite and I'm so glad I read it again. Looking foward to reading it to/ with my little ones in a few years.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that i had to read for English. Mildly catching with a good plot.

[Karen]

Cute little story.