Australian children’s classics: Storm Boy’s tough, tender ode to wild childhood will make you cry

Storm Boy, a beloved Australian children's classic written by Colin Thiele and first published in 1963, is still widely read and cherished more than half a century later. The story follows young Storm Boy, who lives with his father, Hide-Away Tom, in an isolated area near the Coorong in South Australia. The Coorong is a unique and significant wetland and lagoon ecosystem, home to over 200 bird species and an important breeding ground for pelicans.

The Coorong's unique geography, with its flat shallow water bordered by the vast Southern Ocean on one side and the Murray River on the other, provides a picturesque and nurturing environment for Storm Boy and his friends.

The film adaptation of Storm Boy, released in 1976 and featuring the iconic David Gulpilil as the character Fingerbone, turns 50 years old this year. The film has been celebrated as one of Australia's greatest books, with the Times Literary Supplement arguing that it should be included among the few "lasting children's classics". The story has been adapted for stage and screen several times, showcasing its enduring popularity and relevance.

The book and film have long been appreciated for their portrayal of fragile men in a harsh and wild landscape, living in harmony with nature. The characters in Storm Boy are all equals, reflecting the author's deep respect for Australia's First Nations peoples and their connection to the land and its resources. The story teaches valuable lessons about conservation, respect for wildlife, and the importance of growing up in tune with nature, as opposed to the corrupting influence of the adult world.