The Colt From Old Regret

About

“There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from Old Regret had got away …“
— Banjo Paterson

Tossing his mane, the Colt from old Regret tears through the scrub. Stones clatter and crimson rosellas shriek as he canters higher.

You may have heard the story of the man from Snowy River and his fearless ride through the mountains. This is Colt’s story, of nickering mares and a rearing stallion. How did Colt escape the man? What did Colt see, feel and smell as he charged through the bush? 

Beloved children’s author Dianne Wolfer responds to The Man from Snowy River, creating an essential companion to the original poem. It is illustrated with exquisite collages by Erica Wagner, which convey the depth of emotion with great tenderness. They encapsulate the mood of Wolfer’s text, transporting the reader into the Snowy Mountains.

Endmatter includes the full text of Paterson’s poem, along with additional information on Paterson himself, brumbies and the Snowy Mountains, and bush poetry. All gathered together, this is a new Australian classic in the making.

Reviews

‘Short, rich sentences distil the original poem’s imagery into an intense, powerful mood supported by Erica Wagner’s mixed media collage. Together, text and illustrations evoke the visceral exhileration of the sweaty, dusty, adrenaline-fueled alpine escapade…’ Anica Boulanger-Mashberg, Books + Publishing

Wolfer’s cleverly crafted story has great energy … She brings you along on an exciting ride as the brumbies stampede trying to escape the horseman. Erica Wagner’s magnificent illustrations are simply works of art that echo the Australian landscape … An absolute must have for all libraries and bookshelves. Jane Stephens, Good Reading

‘There is so much in this story when seen from a contemporary perspective … It’s a wonderful book for classrooms but equally as beautiful as an object for home shelves.’ – Barbie Robinson, Living Arts Canberra

This is a story of ‘nickering mares and a rearing stallion‘, of ‘stones that clatter and crimson rosellas that shriek‘ as the Colt canters higher along a wallaby trail towards the mimosa thickets… An engrossing and suspenseful story that has the added bonus of connecting a young child with an iconic Australian poem. Recommended for all ages. Dajo Finlayson, Storylinks

Dianne Wolfer’s response to the poem captures the magic of the original, whilst adding to its story and the world that it came from. Reading both side-by-side, as you can do in this book, illustrates the power of bush poetry and the mysteriousness of the bush that Banjo Paterson and people he knew would have experienced in the 1890s – Ashleigh, The Book Muse

Launch photos