Description
More About The Fisher Birds
The Story Behind The Fisher Birds
“The ‘Boatshed’ has been in my family since 1954… The ‘Boatshed’ is more than just a business, it has been a wonderful place that hundreds, if not thousands have passed through to work, socialise and be part of a big family.
I was asked to write a story of the shop, and at the time I was working in a small room out the back with my friends… The Pelicans! ‘So why not?’ Rather than write something and possibly forget someone… The pelicans became the characters. Happy reading!”
– I.B. Gumnut
This heart-felt, ryhming picture book is extremely well-loved by little ones; pre-schoolers, kindergarten kids and elementary / primary school aged readers espescially!
Characters In The Fisher Birds
Slim and Tim
“Tim, he was the captain. He wore the captain’s hat. Slim, he was the deckhand and was very good at that.”
These two pelicans love to catch fish to feed their family and customers at their fish and chip shop, using their inherited expertise passed down over generations.
The Shore Crew
“And in the shop was Grandma, Kerol, Karly, Pauline, Cath and Kim; Serving all the seabirds that to the shop came in.”
When Slim and Tim’s work is done, it’s up to this bunch to serve out their delicious catches in the Fish & Chip Shop.
Sea Creatures
“The sharks would come from underneath, the seabirds from up high. The seals they would follow, eating all that passed them by.”
The sea creatures featuring in The Fisher Birds show off some of the characters that fisher’s of the ocean encounter regularly, especially when it’s time to haul in the nets!
A Family Effort – Celebrating the Innes’ Family’s ‘Boatshed’
The children’s book is a rhyming story, expressing Australian culture in scenes around the iconic Innes Boatshed. Ben said the book quickly evolved into something special with Mace and Joe’s input.
Image above featuring: Mace Innes (graphic designer), Ben Innes (author, AKA I.B. Gumnut) and Joe Innes (illustrator).
About I.B. Gumnut
I.B. Gumnut A.K.A. Ben Innes
Ben Innes grew up around his family’s fishing business in the small coastal town of Batemans Bay in NSW, Australia. After dedicating 30 years to commercial fishing, Ben felt drawn to capture the stories he had within; inspired by the landscapes, animals, people and places he encountered around his beautiful coastal home and travels around Australia.
I.B. Gumnut is dedicated to creating quintessentially Australian stories to be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.
Stories inspired by Australia in all it’s beauty
Illustrated by upcoming Australian artists
Loved by children and adults alike
I.B. Gumnut’s inspiration from classic Australian bush poets and authors such as Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, can be seen in his humorous, down-to-earth, rhyming style of writing. And just like those great Aussie writers, I.B. Gumnut’s stories feature traditional wisdom, values, and life lessons. The result is stories that will be read again and again.
