The Kelly Gang Kids by Coral Vass. Illus. by Deb Hudson

The vibrant cover of the picture book The Kelly Gang Kids with four rambunctious and gleeful boys running towards their next adventure will draw young readers in. On opening the book, the front endpapers show the gang heading off for the day and the final endpapers show them heading home in the setting sun.

Once the boys are out for the day, they chase each other and cause all sorts of unintentional mischief. First off, it is Miss Callaghan’s washing that suffers, then Old Peterson’s sheep escape and finally the old Blacksmith has a mess to clean up. After each event the author Coral Vass has cleverly used repetitive rhyme:

“You rascals! What mess!”
the old Blacksmith said,
chasing behind
and shaking his head. 

But WHIZ out of sight
and swift on their way,
the Kelly Gang kids
skedaddled away.

This day for the Kelly Gang does end a little differently though when after coming out of hiding, brave Ned saves Richard Shelton and becomes the town hero. Throughout the book, the rhyming verses flow freely and tell of an exciting and adventurous day. The full page illustrations by Deb Hudson are glorious in both their colour and detail and add to the engagement of the story.

The Kelly Gang Kids is an enjoyable and entertaining read. Ned Kelly and his gang are famous characters in Australia’s colonial past and this story, based on true events, adds another layer to the Kelly Gang story.

Themes: Friendship, Bravery, Mischief, Ned Kelly, Childhood.

Kathryn Beilby