Contemporary Australian children’s literature places a large emphasis on the formation of identity. Similarly, academic interest in children’s literature is on the impact representation can have on children’s understanding of self and others. However, there is a much closer inspection of intersection between Australian children’s literature and themes of national identity and belonging. Many Australian stories, beginning with Ethel Turner’s 1894 book Seven Little Australians, look to negotiate identities that have emerged, or are emerging, within the context of Australia’s colonial past. Turner’s novel, for example, sort to create and champion a sense of Australian national identity was not only laid-back, yet courageous and hand-working but
