Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Catherine Bauer!
It’s always a privilege when award-winning author, journalist and history-enthusiast, Catherine Bauer comes to share her latest news! Catherine is the talented author of many brilliant, poignant books, including Australia Remembers 3: Len Waters, Colourful Memories and Tulips for Breakfast, and not to mention the Winner of the 2019 Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award; Dreaming Soldiers. Now, in 2025, we’re delighted to announce the updated edition of Dreaming Soldiers, which includes new discussion points and activities! A valuable asset to any primary classroom with themes of fairness, inclusion, racism and democracy, this resource is also a warming tale of true mateship, resilience, and compassion on and off the battlefield during the time of WW1. It recognises the sacrifices and important contributions of First Nations soldiers, blended with sensitive Dreaming themes and evocative imagery. A must-have tribute to our fallen ANZACs and Australian veterans.
Thank you for sharing this piece of historical significance with us, Catherine! 🙂
About the Author
Catherine Bauer is a journalist and writer from South Australia. She has worked as a news and political journalist and features writer for various newspapers and publications and is now working as a state government media adviser.
Her love of writing started as an eight-year-old where she wrote and illustrated her own book. Catherine aims for her stories to
spark all or one of the following three reactions in readers:
‘that’s me’; ‘I wish that was me’ or ‘I’m glad that’s not me’.
Her parents were both great storytellers and among her favourites, her father’s wonderful retellings about finding joy in small things, his enthralling adventures and often hardships of a childhood growing up in WWII Germany.
Find Catherine Bauer via Big Sky Publishing and on Instagram and Facebook.
Find illustrator Shane McGrath via Big Sky Publishing and on Facebook.
Dreaming Soldiers is available for purchase through Big Sky Publishing.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Author: Catherine Bauer
Illustrator: Shane McGrath
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing
WHAT is it about?
With strong First Nations themes, this is a story about friendship, war, family and fairness.
A powerful and moving story about true mateship.
A window to the past and a glance at the future.
Dreaming Soldiers weaves tales of childhood adventures and battlefield challenges with gentle Dreaming themes.
This is a touching friendship story about Jimmy and Johnno, two young Australian boys in the 1900s; mates who do everything together, sharing adventures and growing up side by side in the dusty cattle yards of an Outback South Australian station and later on the dusty WWI battlefields of the Middle East.
The simple storytelling combines with stunning images to honour the service of Australian veterans and highlight the important contribution of First Nations soldiers.
What is your favourite part of this book?
I’m proud of the research and community support that went into making this story to ensure its historical and cultural accuracy. It was also important to have the support of First Nations historians and veterans.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
The idea came about more than 10 years ago when – as many parents and caregivers do – I was helping my then primary school aged youngest son with a project on the ANZACS. He was also learning about First Nations history at the same time. The two threads came together and I found I was learning about the little known First Nations contribution to Australia’s defence forces – at a time they were not officially even recognised as citizens.
When is its release / launch date?
The book was first released in 2018 – this updated version, including new talking points and activities, was released in March 2025.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from? *(see above)
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
I felt strongly about the injustice shown to the First Nations people who helped defend Australia in early wars and battles. They made the same sacrifices, but when they returned didn’t receive the same recognition and benefits as the white Australian men they had served with. They missed out on benefits including land and were banned from joining in public parades and marches such as ANZAC Day.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
I think young readers who care about social justice, or who have experienced or witnessed exclusion, or bullying would relate to many of the ideas the book raises.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
Shane McGrath’s engaging and emotive drawings surpassed by expectations on all levels – they are perfect.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
The book has been promoted on social media, as well as to local libraries and to a few teacher-librarians. It is available at Dymocks, QBD Books, BIG W, Amazon and Booktopia.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
Since the book’s original publication, I’ve been delighted to hear from teachers, students and librarians around Australia who have read and used the story as part of their history, social justice and English studies.
Thank you, Catherine! A treasure that keeps on giving! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #dreamingsoldiers #australianwarhistory #mateship #firstnationssoldiers #picturebook #justkidslit
