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Czenya Cavouras: Rainbow Bird

Czenya Cavouras: Rainbow Bird

"Rainbow Bird is a deeply moving children's picture book written and illustrated by Czenya Cavouras, who is now in high school. Everyone who has had anything to do with refugees and asylum seekers will want to read this book."

"Rainbow Bird is quietly harrowing, has a unique author voice, and is ultimately inspiring and uplifting. The Rainbow Bird project marks a new direction for us, for this will be our first AAR published work. Deborah Baldassi of Artberries is donating her skills as designer, and Wakefield Press have joined us as co-publishers." (From AAR)

Stark and beautiful, Rainbow Bird is a book of rare insight. More than a children's book, or an art book, this is a work of pain, hope, and simple, profound truth. An unseen, unnamed narrator takes us on a journey through fear, uncertainty and despair to hope. Every page challenges us to think and, above all, to feel.

Created by a fourteen year old, Rainbow Bird has something to say to everyone, young and old.

Important Notice about this item:

About the publication Czenya Cavouras, Rainbow Bird (2007): This book is now out of stock, and we no longer supply it to our members or to the wider public. We suggest you could search for online new or second-hand bookshops to secure your copy.

about the author/artist:

Czenya Cavouras

Czenya Cavouras created Rainbow Bird when she was twelve and completed it when she was fourteen.

Czenya's inspiration to write Rainbow Bird came from conversations with her grandfather about his trips to Port Augusta. She believes it will strike a chord with readers of all ages and challenge them to imagine themselves in a similar situation and how they might respond.

Czenya began to envision the experience through what she believes is universally wanted by all children: the simplicity of a place to call home, happy parents and freedom. She imagined the optimism that children have whatever their experience.

Czenya believes Rainbow Bird will strike a chord with readers of all ages, challenging them to imagine themselves in a similar situation and how they might respond.

Czenya lives in Adelaide with her mum, dad and two younger brothers. An avid reader of anything from the classics to modern day fiction and non-fiction, Czenya also revels in anything to do with the outdoors - particularly the beach and fierce backyard cricket matches with the family.

In the future she hopes to experience first-hand some of the places and things she has read about.

sample pages:

Click on the thumbnails to open the two opposing pages from the book....

A page from Rainbow BirdA page from Rainbow Bird

details:

Title: Rainbow Bird
Author & illustrator: Czenya Cavouras
Type layout: Deborah Baldassi
Type: Hardback, 24 pages
Dimensions: 280 x 215mm, 4 colours throughout
Category: Children's Reference, Refugees
ISBN: 978 1 86254 773 5
Price: $24.95
Publishers: Australians Against Racism in association with Wakefield Press

appraisals:

"We hope Rainbow Bird will stir, enrage, and move people. We hope it will be a powerful memento of these dark times. We hope people will treasure it as a beautiful work of art.' ... 'The more people to have this book in hand the better, because it will also help us to say collectively on election day: 'Never again'." - David Maney

"Rainbow Bird is the experience of a refugee coming to Australia as seen through the clear eyes of a child - the only reference we really need to understand Australia's policies and treatment of those who flee and seek hope and a new life." - Jack H Smit, Project SafeCom Inc.

"A painful Australian story is here distilled and transformed through remarkable prose and image." - Eva Sallis

"A beautiful and moving book." - Arnold Zable

"Rainbow Bird is a picture book that is thought provoking, disturbing, and inspiring." - David Maney

From Wakefield Press: Australians Against Racism Inc (AAR) is a non-profit grassroots association that devises or facilitates creative projects to counter racism in Australia.

The publication of Rainbow Bird has been made possible by the young authors of the anthologies Dark Dreams: Australian Refugee Stories, and No Place Like Home: Australian Stories who donated their royalties to AAR.

Rainbow Bird was launched to coincide with the 2007 anniversary of the Tampa crisis. Profits of Rainbow Bird go to a good cause: Australians Against Racism Inc.

Important Notice about this item:

About the publication Czenya Cavouras, Rainbow Bird (2007): This book is now out of stock, and we no longer supply it to our members or to the wider public. We suggest you could search for online new or second-hand bookshops to secure your copy.