Fallout by Lesley Parr

I head home to face the music, but Mam and Dad won’t care about the suspension, just about the money to replace the broken equipment. Because to them I really am bad. 

Which is just how they want me. ... you can’t trust a Pritchard. Everyone knows that. ...

In 1980 the world was thinking about the possibility of a nuclear war. Marcus discovers his neighbor, an elderly man, has built an underground shelter filled with food, comfortable furniture, a toilet and even some exercise equipment. Mick Rowlands scoffs at the official brochures which advise citizens to hide under kitchen tables - that is why he has built a way more effective shelter in his back yard but as Marcus points out how will he know when it is safe to emerge back into the world and what if everyone else has been killed.

I flick through the pages. It does look pretty stupid; all about making a fallout room and inner refuge. There’s even a drawing of a man putting a wardrobe in front of his windows – as if that’s going to stop a nuclear blast! Gavin’s window couldn’t even survive a stone from our rockery. And page seventeen is just gross. ‘People are supposed to take the bottom off a chair and poo in a bucket?’ Mick nods. ‘Not here though.’ He waves towards the bathroom. ‘All mod cons here.’ He seems really proud and, looking around this place, I think he should be. That makes me feel bad for sneaking in. Maybe I do owe him an explanation.

Marcus comes from a family of petty criminals. One brother is in jail, the other is practicing for his own life of crime and dad is planning the next big robbery. Marcus does not want to be involved but in his family there is no way to say no. His mother seems to favour his brother and because she enjoys the spoils of his fathers 'work' she is happy to go along with his plans.

Into this mix comes a girl named Emma. Emma has had a very different life. She has been home schooled, there is no television in her home, the family are vegetarians and everyone in her family is very well read. Emma herself has joined an activist group to protest about the possibility of a nuclear war - 'Give Peace a Chance' - and that is how Marcus and Emma's lives collide. 

I keep seeing this book on lists and as a recommendation on various social media platforms. The best part of this book is the tension Lesley Parr creates as we witness Marcus trying to navigate his life and right a wrong. His family are so cruel in stark contrast to the kindness and encouragement of Mick. 

This story is set in Wales so there may be some unfamiliar references for Australian readers aged 10+ but the voices in the story and the compelling narrative, where as a reader you just want Marcus to succeed against the odds of his terrible family, I think means young readers will just 'get on with reading' this book and not worry at all about occasional unfamiliar word or two.  Make sure you notice the way the chapter headings are designed:

Bookseller blurb: Marcus has one brother in a youth offender centre and the other is working with their dad on plans for their next theft. Everyone assumes Marcus will follow in their footsteps, but he has other ideas, different hopes. When a mysterious accident lands a man in hospital, it confirms what everyone in their community expects and Marcus gets the blame. He feels trapped. Only new girl Emma - with her peace protest banners and political badges - questions this story. Can they work together to clear his name – and help Marcus become the person he really wants to be?

‘Fallout’ is a truly exceptional story, with its very title reflecting how cleverly its many elements are woven together. Poignant, thought-provoking, compassionate and compelling, there are not enough adjectives to convey just how much I enjoyed it! One to put at the top of your TBR pile! Through the Bookshelf

The three characters form a genuine cross generational friendship. Historical Novel Society

Fallout is a raw, honest story of family dynamics and finding your own way. It is a reminder that we all have choices about the future but it takes real courage to be true to ourselves and turn away from those who seek to hurt us. The power of kindness shines through Emma, Mick and eventually Marcus as he learns what it feels like to be loved. Readers will be challenged to think twice before making assumptions about someone based on their family and to give everyone a second chance. Scope for Imagination

Here are some text quotes:

This is a Cold War, which, as far as I can tell, means world leaders make threats about pushing their nuclear buttons, but no one will. They just want us to think they will. And this lot have fallen for it.

In this family, we don’t get pocket money for jobs around the house, like mowing the lawn, or doing the dishes. Me and Gavin earn it by helping in other ways. For me, as the youngest, it’s mostly being a lookout when Dad and Uncle Tony are doing a deal, or on the rob. For Carl, the oldest, it ended up at the Farm School; the borstal over in the next valley.

I open it and can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s like the TARDIS on Doctor Who. I don’t really know what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t this. I’ve seen pictures of air raid shelters from the Second World War. Glorified sheds with bunks, shelves and a heater in the corner if you were lucky, but this … this is something else. There’s a room with a double bed all made up with a flowery bedspread and pillows. And there’s a settee, and a kitchen area with a table and two chairs, a sink and cupboards and – is that a fridge? The walls are lined with shelves of books, board games and even some ornaments.

Here is another book by Lesley Parr:

The Valley of Lost Secrets

Symphony of Stories ABC Classic 100 Greatest of all Time

Here is a fantastic opportunity to link books with classical music - the ABC Classic 100 Greatest of all Time included all of these (and wait until you scroll down and see Number 2 - YES!:

Bluey Season 2 – Episode 26

The House that Walked Away by Simon Howe

When you think about moving house you probably don't think about the actual house itself moving but that is the fun premise of The House that Walked Away. The house wanders the countryside but nowhere feels quite right. Then a family group begin to follow the house and during a storm the house invites the family to step inside. The next day the house prepares to move on again, but the lights are on and the house is warm from the fires burning inside each hearth - it seems the House has finally found a family and now is the time to settle down.

Bookseller blurb: In this simple, surreal and stunning story, a house sets off on a journey to find a home. Dissatisfied and restless, the house wanders from place to place, hopeful but uncertain. Each time it settles down, the comfort is fleeting, and the urge to move on returns. But everything changes when a curious family notices the house, and decides to follow ...

Rachel Robson hosted another terrific children's book event at Gleebooks to celebrate The House that Walked Away. This was also one of the best author/illustrator events I have attended recently because Simon Howe had lots to share including a video of his creative process and the model of the house he used for his newest book. His presentation was engaging and interesting and everyone enjoyed the way he so sincerely shared his enthusiasm for his work creating picture books. One of the most interesting things Simon Howe shared was the way he gave his house emotions without using facial expressions - it is all in the body language!

Image source: Simon Howe Instagram 

Click this link to see some early drafts for this book

Talking about his book Simon explained he moved around a lot as a child - living in different houses. Having his own child he now understands home is more about the people and their relationships and not the actual building. His own dad always created a sense of home no matter where the family lived. 

The idea or 'trigger' image for this book was a simple sketch Simon made of a house with legs. As a child he met a street artist who explained it is important to get your ideas down on paper quickly - make the idea in your head exist and fill in the details later. I think we were all surprised to hear how he created this book quite quickly whereas Going Home (his other new book) began as an idea in 2022 and only reached publication in 2026. Simon uses digital tools but he would like to experiment with more traditional mediums. Sadly he explained these take longer and so cost more (I thought that was a very sad comment). Someone asked did he plan to write the next story about this little house and the family who have now made it their home. Simon Howe likes the idea that reading a picture book sometimes leaves the reader wanting more. 

For myself I want to know more about the little family group who find, follow and eventually settled in the house. Where have they come from? What is their back story? Am I 'wrong' to use words like homelessness or refugees? These are discussion questions you could use with your library group or class perhaps.

The House that Walked Away does pose a couple of very big questions - What is a home? What does a home mean to you?

Here are some photos I took at the Gleebooks Kids event:

Here are a few questions I would have asked Simon Howe (I never ask questions at events mostly because I think of them later):

• Do you see a link between The House that Walked Away and your other new book Going Home? To my eye these could easily be read as a pair.
• The legs on your house reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle (the book and Studio Ghibli Movie) and also The House with Chicken Legs - did either of these images or books influence you?
• Can you talk about the little family who follow the house? I love the inclusion of a multigenerational family and also of course the joy they find in music. I feel as though your story has a sound track - could this be the influence of your animation work?

The little house created by Simon Howe reminded me of illustrations like this one by Sven Nordqvist. To my eye The House that Walked Away has a very appealing European vibe. I love the shape of the roof, the symmetry of the windows and the two chimneys. You could use some terrific architecture terminology when you describe the little house - shingles, portico, symmetry, chimney stacks, and notice how the window frames look like eyebrows. It would be fun to draw a house plan to show the way you imagine the inside of this cottage. 

From the book 'Pettson and Findus'

Here is another book by Simon Howe:

Here are some notes from Walker Books

Simon Howe also used this form of panel illustrations in his book The House that Walked away

(source: Walker Books)

Simon Howe named these illustrators in answer to the question about his favorites: Beatrice Alemagna, Shaun Tan, Júlia Sardà, and Freya Blackwood. 

Bio: Simon Howe is an illustrator and author with a broad appetite for children's literature, animation, storytelling and design. He has worked with many major publishers, and his work has been nominated for the Australian Book Industry Awards and the Australian Book Design Awards. His long-time collaboration with ARIA award-winning children’s band, Teeny Tiny Stevies, has seen him produce more than a dozen animated music videos for ABC Kids TV. His first authored book, Shoosh, was distributed by the Bounty Bag network to over 60,000 children born in Queensland throughout 2022. Simon lives in regional Victoria with his family.

In September UQP will publish his newest book Betsy and Bon.

These books are also illustrated by Simon Howe:

Rachel mentioned when she was a child in Queensland she often witnessed people moving house - not just packing up their possessions and furniture but moving their whole house - that reminded me of this book (and in my real life the house next door to my apartment was loaded onto the back of a truck and taken away - it was a very exciting late night event in our street!)

While it is quite different and aimed at an older group of readers The House that Walked Away also reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle (book and movie). The Readings Melbourne reviewer agrees: Their journey together is full of music, sharing, joy on sunny days and comfort on rainy days. Together, they are transformed. The illustrations seem to glow from within, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli

Other companion books:

Farmhouse

The ABC Book of Lullabies

This is an old book from 2008 but what I love about books like this is the way they allow you to explore a range of illustrators - in this case illustrators from Australia:

Tamsin Ainslie, Jonathan Bentley, Gaye Chapman, Janine Dawson, Wayne Harris, Ann James, Stephen Michael King, Alison Lester, Caroline Magerl, Kilmeny Niland, Anna Pignataro, Cheryl Orsini, and Emma Quay. 

The cover art is by Emma Quay:

Here is the illustration from Stephen Michael King:

Illustration by Stephen Michael King for Golden Slumbers

I wonder who selected the illustrators to include in this book? I wonder if they were able to select their lullaby to illustrate? I did enjoy reading the end notes where each illustrator talks each specific lullaby. The ABC of the title refers to the publisher's name and not the organisation of the lullabies.

Books like The ABC Book of Lullabies are produced for two audiences simultaneously: the child who focuses on the images as the words are read to them and the adult (usually) who is reading. Each will take different things from the reading. An adult may well be interested in the differences between the images and the differing styles of each illustrator. Short bios, including sketches and photos are included in the final pages for those readers. Each illustrator shares a little about what they do and why, and why they’ve chosen the particular lullaby. Children will enjoy this collection whatever time they read or are read to, but it does make a lovely bedtime collection. For adults, The ABC Book of Lullabies is a bit like a sampler, introducing the work of some of Australia’s most talented illustrators. Or perhaps an illustrators’ version of an anthology. Aussie Reviews

If you have this book in your library and you have a small display space you could copy the pages from this book as a way to explore the CBCA 2026 slogan "Symphony of Stories". Lullabies are often examples of simple stories and hopefully also of familiar stories.

Here are a couple of examples:

Rock-a-bye Baby

Rock-a-bye, baby, in the treetop,

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Baby is drowsing, cosy and fair.

Mother sits near, in her rocking chair.

Forward and back the cradle she swings,

And though baby sleeps, he hears what she sings.

From the high rooftops down to the sea,

No one's as dear as baby to me.

Wee little fingers, eyes wide and bright --

Now sound asleep until morning light.

Hush Little Baby

Hush, little baby, don't say a word,

Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird don't sing,

Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns brass,

Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke,

Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat won't pull,

Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,

Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,

Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,

You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

I imagine most of these names are very familiar to you. There was only one illustrator that I had not heard of - or perhaps I knew the books but not their names? - Janine Dawson is the illustrator of Pudding and Chips; Bobbie Dazzler and Junkyard Dogs. She also did illustrations for the Aussie Nibble Pippa's Perfect Picnic and the covers of the Lily Quench series. 

Here is one book from each of the illustrators who have work in this book. In most cases you can pop a title into my search bar to read more: