Author(s): Crystal Corocher

Picture Books

In the tradition of great high seas adventure stories of times passed, with one key difference - this is a true story! The epic adventure of four-year-old Giovanni and the journey that could have ended his life, bringing him instead to start a new adventure in a new country, Australia. A story of courage and resilience, readers will follow the curious and endearing Giovanni as he survives the harrowing and ultimately doomed Marquis de Rays expedition with his family. Arriving in Australia as one of the first Italian migrants, Giovanni begins a new life, and a new chapter in Australia’s migration history begins. Giovanni left Italy in 1881 with his family, along with many other villagers from the region of Veneto. The families were promised ‘paradise’ by a corrupt people smuggler. After a perilous journey, they reached Australia with the assistance of Sir Henry Parkes, who was Premier of the Colony of NSW at the time. Combining extensive research, family anecdotes and gentle narrative prose, author Crystal Corocher shares this true story of resilience and courage as both a work of historical narrative and personal passion project – Giovanni being her great-grandfather. Giovanni is a story for all Australians, and one that Crystal looks forward to sharing with students of all ages as a visiting author, it has been illustrated with stunning watercolour throughout by Margeaux Davis. Combining extensive research, family anecdotes and gentle narrative prose, Giovanni is a true story of resilience, and survival, of some of Australia’s first Italian migrants. Loveable and mischievous, Giovanni brings levity and hopefulness to the story, as we follow this small boy throughout the grim and dangerous voyage. This story is a homage to all migrants who have forged a new life in a new land, told with love by Giovanni’s great-grand daughter, author Crystal Corocher.