Book News Sporting

Iconic Australian singer, artist and entertainer Rolf Harris holds a special place in the hearts and memories of several generations of Australians and his many fans in the UK, Canada and the US. With the release of a children’s picture book of his famous song Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport (Scholastic Australia, 2008), Harris will no doubt secure a new generation of fans.

A Well-Known Australian Outback Song

Along with the classic favourites Two Little Boys, Six White Boomers and Jake the Peg, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is one of Harris’ best known and loved songs. The recent release of this old stockman song has been updated in a beautifully illustrated picture book edition for children.

Illustrated with paintings by Rolf Harris, the book captures the image of the dry, dusty Australian outback as the old stockman is “lying, dying” and imparting his final instructions to his mates. The painting for each verse illustrates the story, while Harris himself appears in the chorus illustrations, trying to rope a “big red” kangaroo.