It is not well known that there were many children among the convicts sent in brutal conditions to Australia soon after settlement in 1788. Many of them died on the months-long sea voyages from Britain, and those who survived the appalling conditions of the convict ships faced further privations when they arrived in the struggling infant colony. 'The Little Wooden Horse' is the story of two such children who survive by the courage and strength borne of their deep friendship. The thoroughly researched story will give children an accurate and engaging picture of a child's life in the days of early settlement. AUTHOR Fine artist Mark Wilson has been illustrating and writing children's books for over twenty years, at the same time exhibiting as a fine artist in many solo and group exhibitions and performing as a musician. Of his numerous popular children's books, the most recent are 'Stranded!', 'Angel of Kokoda', 'Journey of the Sea Turtle', 'My Mother's Eyes: The Story of a Boy Soldier', 'The Yellow Turban', 'Aladdin and The Magic Lamp' and 'The Little Wooden Horse.'. Mark has won many awards for illustration and fine art. SELLING POINTS * Very accessible introduction to Australia's early history through a child's eyes * Stunning illustrations and paintings which give a compelling sense of the times * A very moving story - child readers will immediately identify with Elizabeth, the young heroine.