A to Z of Convicts in Van Diemen's Land

Simon Barnard's A–Z of Convicts in Van Diemen's Land is a rich and compelling account of the lives of the men, women and children who were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from stealing bread to poisoning family members.

• Winner, The Children's Book Council of Australia Eve Pownall Award for Information Books, 2015
• Longlisted, Tasmanian Premier’s Literary Prizes, 2015
• Shortlisted, NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize, 2015
• Shortlisted, Western Australian Premier's Children's Book Award, 2016

Seventy-three thousand convicts were transported to the British penal colony of Van Diemen's Land in the first half of the nineteenth century. They played a vital role in the building of the settlements, as well as the running of the newly established colony. Their sentences, punishments, achievements and suffering make for fascinating reading.

This large format book features Barnard's spectacular illustrations, each carefully drawn in meticulous detail from contemporary records, bring this extraordinary history to life. 

‘Simon Barnard brings Tasmania’s remarkable convict story to life.’ - James Boyce, author of Van Diemen’s Land

‘A big, beautiful, funny, fascinating thrill-ride of convict esoterica.’ - Nick Cave

‘A rich and compelling account of the lives of the men, women and children who were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from stealing bread to poisoning family members.’ - Australian Education Union Magazine

‘A lively, detailed and richly illustrated account of the lives of convicts sent to Van Diemen’s land.’ - Herald Sun

‘Australian convict history is a crowded field, but Barnard’s detailed and vivid illustrations breathe fresh life into it…Every school library should own the A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land…not to mention interested adults.’ - Australian Book Review

‘Barnard’s impressive craftsmanship has produced a truly handsome book design that pays loving homage to its 19th century sources…School students often complain about the dullness of Australian history. Barnard’s highly entertaining book is the perfect antidote to the usual sober textbook treatment of the convict era.’ - Reading Time

‘In a time when we, as descendants no longer wish to wash away the ‘convict stain’, this book is a wonderful history for as wide as possible an audience.’ - Tasmanian Times

Simon Barnard
Published September 2014
Hardcover
88 Pages
450mm x 295mm  
ISBN 9781922079343