Dangar Island is a real place. A small river community on the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney. Children growing up on Dangar Island have an enviable freedom. This book tells a story of life on the island. 

Book Launch

About the Author

Joanne Karcz has a long association with Dangar Island first visiting regularly and now living there with her husband. Her love for the island led her to write this book.

Book Reviews

Dangar Island by Joanne Karcz combines wonderfully whimsical text with delightful illustrations by Jacqui Selby.
I felt that I stepped onto this enchanting island of birds, barrows ferries and more… a very special place to roam.
- Paul Macdonald, Owner The Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft.

Danger Island birds, barrows, a ferry and me written by Joanne Karcz and illustrated by Jacqui Selby, is a most delightful story for young children. It depicts the uncomplicated happy lifestyle of a small boy living on a sparsely populated little island in the Hawkesbury River, not very far from the bustle of inner city Sydney. The freedom in this little character’s childhood to explore and enjoy nature is so different to that of many young people, making the story fun and informative, as well as developing curiosity about another child’s home.
The author’s clever use of rhyme throughout creates a rhythm and an image that helps readers and listeners remember the story. The small amount of text, placed in a clear space on each page, is enhanced beautifully by the illustrator’s wonderful depictions of the easy to read, everyday language used. The soft and calming illustrations capture the nature and peace of this place perfectly, add meaning and encourage readers to engage with the story. They are simple, yet detailed, making the places, characters, animal life and objects all look very real. I love the use of broad areas of colour and double page spreads encouraging young readers’ eyes to move across the page.
“Danger Island birds, barrow, a ferry and me” will be enjoyed over and over by the very early years through early Primary school ages.
- Anne Todd, Primary School Teacher, Queensland Australia

In this digital age children are not always encouraged to explore and appreciate the natural world. One of the great delights of Dangar Island, birds, barrows, a ferry and me written by Joanne Karcz and illustrated by Jacqui Selby is its immersion in the real world.
Dangar Island is a real place but it offers a magic not experienced by suburban children. Not only does it have abundant bird and marine life, but it’s also a world where shopping involves a ferry and a wheel barrow, a place where a child can roam free and explore without the constraints of helicopter parents, traffic and bogey men.
This is a sparkling book. The rhyming text is sparing, the illustrations clean, leaving enough to stimulate and encourage a child’s imagination. A great book for 3-8 year olds – and parents will enjoy reading it to them.
- June Hefferan, Freelance writer

Media

Hornsby Advocate 27 October 2016 - click here to view

The Bush Telegraph Weekly, 10th November 2016:

Other books by the author

Written in rhyme for young children and early readers, the book describes the experience of two children who step on board The Riverboat Postman to deliver the mail. The Riverboat Postman really does exist. It has been delivering mail to water access only properties along the Hawkesbury River for over 100 years.

Read more here.