Playing Beatie Bow facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Ruth Park |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Thomas Nelson |
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Publication date
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31 January 1980 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 196 |
Playing Beatie Bow is an exciting Australian children's book. It was written by Ruth Park and first came out on January 31, 1980. The story is about a girl who travels through time in Sydney, Australia.
Contents
What the Story is About
Lynette Kirk was a happy young girl. But then her father left her and her mother, Kathy. Lynette wanted to forget the life they had with her dad. So, she changed her name to Abigail.
One day, Abigail went to the park with her young neighbors, Natalie and Vincent. They were playing a game called 'Beatie Bow'. Abigail saw a mysterious little girl watching them. She called her the "Little Furry Girl" and decided to follow her.
Abigail's mother told her she was seeing her father again. Her parents wanted them all to move to Norway, where her dad worked. Abigail got very angry and went for a walk to calm down. She saw the mysterious girl again and followed her.
Suddenly, Abigail found herself back in the 1800s! The Little Furry Girl's father accidentally tripped her. Abigail ended up with a sprained ankle and a bruised head.
Later in the book, an old woman named Granny (Alice Tallisker) tells Abigail she is "the stranger." Granny says Abigail has "the gift." This gift comes from a special crocheted pattern on her dress. It lets her travel through time and heal people. The book hints that Granny will finish the crochet pattern.
Abigail falls in love with a boy named Judah. But Judah is already going to marry another girl, Dovey. Abigail learns how it feels to love someone you can't be with. This helps her understand her own parents better. She realizes she should let them have a second chance at their marriage.
Finally, Abigail finds a way to return to her own time. She discovers that her neighbors, Natalie and Vincent, are related to the Bow family. She also learns that Beatie grew up to be a smart, educated lady. Judah died at sea after marrying Dovey.
After Abigail returns from Norway with her parents, she meets Natalie and Vincent's uncle. He looks exactly like Judah! The two of them fall in love. Abigail tells him the amazing story of her trip back in time.
Where the Story Takes Place
The main character is a 14-year-old girl named Abigail Kirk. She used to be called Lynette. Abigail is upset about her parents splitting up. Because of a strange playground game, she travels back in time.
She ends up in Sydney-Town in the year 1873. There, she meets the Bow family, who own a shop. She also meets Beatie Bow, the girl whose name is in the game she was playing. Most of the story happens in real places around Sydney's old Rocks district.
Who are the Main Characters?
- Abigail Kirk, who used to be Lynette Kirk
- In the present time
- Katherine "Kathy" Kirk (Abigail's mother)
- Weyland Kirk (Abigail's father)
- Grandmother
- Justine Crown
- Natalie Crown (Abigail's neighbor)
- Vincent Crown (Abigail's neighbor)
- Robert Judah Bow (Natalie and Vincent's uncle)
- In 1873
- Beatrice May "Beatie" Bow (the "Little Furry Girl")
- Alice Tallisker (Granny Tallisker)
- Samuel Bow
- Judah Bow
- Dorcas "Dovey" Tallisker
- Gilbert Samuel "Gibbie" Bow
- Dorothea "Doll" Victoria Brand
Places in the Book
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- The Bows' candy shop is on the corner of Argyle Street and Cambridge Street. It's right next to the Argyle Cut. You can see it on maps.
- The tall building called "Mitchell" is where the Kirks and Crowns live. It's on George Street, south of "The Suez Canal." In real life, the only tall building in the Rocks is the Sirius building. This building was used in the movie version of the book.
- The Suez Canal is a lane between the Mitchell tower and the Argyle Cut. Abigail was taken there in the story. People say the name "Suez Canal" was a joke. It sounded like "sewers" because the lane was a very rough place. It also referred to the real Suez Canal in Egypt.
Other Versions of the Story
In 1986, Playing Beatie Bow was made into a movie. It was also called Playing Beatie Bow. The movie starred Imogen Annesley as Abigail, Peter Phelps as Judah Bow, and Mouche Phillips as Beatie Bow.
In 2021, the Sydney Theatre Company put on a play based on the book. It was created by famous Australian playwright Kate Mulvany and director Kip Williams. They also worked together on a play based on Ruth Park's book The Harp in the South.
Awards the Book Won
- Won – CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers (1981)
- Won – Parents' Choice Award for Literature (1982)
- Won – Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1982)
- Honour Diploma – International Board on Books for Young People (Australia) (1982)
- Runner-up – Guardian Fiction Prize (UK) (1982)
- Won – Canberra's Own Outstanding List: Fiction for Older Readers Award (1994)
