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The Important Things (New Frontier) is the tale of Christopher, who lives with his mother. Christopher’s mother does everything, as his father has faded from their lives. When they give away a box of his father’s old things, a series of events takes place that reveal the different ways in which Christopher and his mother deal with the absent father.
Peter Carnavas always been fascinated by the stories behind things, the reasons particular things are important to us. An old typewriter might not work anymore but it may have once belonged to a favourite author, or was passed down through generations in the family. The importance of things, and why they are important, is what led me to write this story.
It’s about remembering. It’s about parents. It’s about absence. It’s about the joy of understanding between a mother and a son.
And, most importantly, it’s about slippers.
About the Author
Peter Carnavas was born in Brisbane in 1980. As a small boy he enjoyed copying out his favourite picture books and occasionally typed a small newspaper about the goings-on of his household. At age ten, Peter’s family moved to the Sunshine Coast, where he gave up the violin, took up the guitar and learned to fish.
Like most children his age, Peter was an enormous fan of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake. He spent most of his teenage years playing the guitar and drawing characters all over his school books, often wishing he could draw as well as his brother.
Peter initially studied Media Studies before becoming a primary school teacher. He has conducted cartooning workshops with children, painted school murals and developed an online travel buddy with students, which was awarded an Education Queensland Showcase Award. If it was all up to Peter, he would spend most of his time reading books with his daughter, trying to play the mandolin and drawing little pictures of people.
Reviewed By Toni Whitmont, Booktopia Buzz Editor
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Every now and then a children's picture book comes along that is so special that it speaks to a universal audience. The Important Things is one of those books. Of course, your under-sixes will love it but it is one of those kids' books that adults will be just as pleased they were introduced to. In fact, I have read it now three times, and each time I have felt somehow nourished by its message.
The Important Things is about Christopher, his mother and the father "who has faded from their lives". Christopher is trying to remember, mother is trying to forget. The Important Things follows what happens when mother packs up some of father's old bits and pieces into a box to take to the second hand shop.
Carnavas is one of those rare gems whose way with words perfectly supports his lovely, whimsical illustrations. He is not a big name yet, but he certainly deserves a lot more attention. He won't appeal to the red-fire-truck kind of audience but if you or your child are interested in life's big questions, you won't find a more satisfying book.
