The Legend of Jessie Hickman

If you believe in legends ...

This non-fiction picture book brings to life the fascinating but little-known story of Jessie Hickman (18901936), Australia's so-called 'Lady Bushranger'.

A women who lived outside the norms of her time, Jessie was a brave and formidable woman, with a life full of adventure, action and danger. At the age of 8, she joined a travelling bush circus, learning to perform as a whip cracker, sharpshooter and rough rider. She would perform dangerous feats, like tightrope walking or handstands on bare-backed ponies. When the circus closed, became an outlaw and cattle rustler, famous for her daring escapes.

The endmatter includes information on travelling circuses in Australia, bushrangers and buckjumping, as well as a timeline of Jessie's life and accomplishments accompanied by historic images.

This lavishly illustrated picture book immerses the reader in the wilderness of what is now the Wollemi National Park as Jessie's life unfolds with every turn of the page.

About the Author

Mark Greenwood is an author with a passion for history. He enjoys imaginatively reconstructing stories that celebrate the characters and events that have played an important role in defining our past.

About the Illustrator

Frané Lessac is an author and illustrator of over 50 books in the UK, US and Australia. She has won numerous awards, including the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature in 2010.

Mark and Frané frequently collaborate to produce wonderful stories, such as Simpson and His Donkey and Midnight – the Story of a Light Horse and the Our Country series. Their award-winning books tackling Australian bushranger legends include Ned Kelly and the Green Sash and The Legend of Moondyne Joe. Their latest collaboration is The Legend of Jessie Hickman.