Vision Australia's first book as part of the Big Visions children's book series has been on the shelves for a few weeks.
Surfing in the Dark chronicles the life of record-holding Paralympian and world champion surfer Matt Formston. From losing his sight at five years old, and going on to take on 55-foot mega waves around the world.
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Here are what some reviewers are saying about the book:
Books and Publishing: Brenton Cullen
People who are blind, who achieve incredible feats, are the linchpin of ‘Big Visions’, an exciting new nonfiction picture book series from Berbay Books and Vision Australia, aimed at 7–12-year-olds (as well as parents and educators). Matt Formston: Surfing in the dark, the first book in the series, shares a sensitive and precise narrative, expertly written by John Dickson. It follows professional parasurfer Matt from childhood, his anxieties about fitting in with his sporting team mates, and his relentless passion for surfing. The book (which features braille on each page) carries on through Matt’s triumphs as he becomes a man and ends with his career now, reflecting on all his accomplishments and how his vision impairment played such a large part in his dreams and life. Philip Bunting’s illustrations make the book an intriguing and interesting story, instead of pages of dry facts as is a risk with nonfiction picture books. Bunting and Dickson deliver a book vital for all children, whether they have vision impairments or not, to read and learn about Matt Formston and his accomplishments. Formston’s successes, and failures, can inspire and empower all people and this necessary and worthy book is the first in what is sure to become a groundbreaking and vital series for all ages.
Read the review on Books + Publishing website.
Reading Time: Lynne Babbage
This engaging biography is innovatively published with both standard written format and the text in Braille. This includes both on the cover and on each page throughout the book. This makes the book accessible to other young blind people wanting to read about others like themselves and provides inspiration and encouragement to all readers.
Read the review on Reading Time website.
ReadPlus: Fran Knight
The story of Matt and his determination to play sport like anyone else will entice younger readers to pick up this multi-faceted book, presented both in plain text and Braille. I envisage many readers trying the raised print for themselves and marvelling at just how small the dots are, wondering how long it would take people to become adept at its use. And layered over this are the wonderful illustrations by Philip Bunting, his images of Matt staring out at the reader, an honest alert face, big on grit and resilience. Bunting always includes a large does of humour in his work, and this is no exception. Readers will love following Matt’s journey to becoming a successful Paralympian, trying his hand at many sports along the way.
As a boy Matt hid his deteriorating sight well: he could ride a bike, climb a tree and run like the others. By his fifth birthday all he could see was a large black dot in the middle of what he was looking at and blurred around the edges. His parents decided he would continue as he was, playing sport, being involved, and he never looked back. Living near the beach he wanted to surf, and his family taught him to master a boogie board, until one day he was derided for being on an esky lid, so he learnt to surf. He practised until one day he caught glandular fever and this laid him low. At a point in his life where things became simply too hard, he left home, but asserted his old skill of asking questions. He became super fit, and did a 1200 k bike ride for charity which saw him being asked to train as a Paralympian. He has never looked back.
This wonderful story has messages custom made for all children: persevering, developing skills, asking questions, striving to do your best, amongst others. Kids will love reading of Matt’s fortitude in the face of adversity, and follow the story eagerly. That it is also told in Braille will intrigue younger readers who rarely see this form of communication, prompting them to further their interest and empathy for those for whom it replaces the written text.
This sturdy production is the first in a series of books published by Berbay and Vision Australia about Australian heroes who are blind or have low vision. Called Big Visions, the series will include books about Craig Shanahan and Nikki Hind.
Themes: Blindness, Low vision, Surfing, Sport, Cycling, Determination.
Read the review on ReadPlus website.
Readings: Dani Solomon
Surfing in the Dark is a picture book about Matt Formston, a blind world champion surfer. Its point of difference – and one I love – is that Philip Bunting’s bright and familiar illustrations are dotted with Braille, allowing the reader to either read along if they’re blind or low vision themselves, or to understand how blind people read, if they are not, following the bumps on the page. I’m a big fan of anything that means disabled kids will have one less thing to explain to non-disabled kids, and I am thrilled Surfing in the Dark has been published and illustrated by such a well-known illustrator.
Matt Formston’s story about not giving up, even when his progress is affected by setbacks, is a universal one, and I can’t think of a kid (or adult!) who wouldn’t benefit from reading Surfing in the Dark when things seem a little hard. Great for ages 3+
Read the review on Readings website.
Magpies: Chloe Mauger
This is the true and truly inspirational story of Matt Formston, a young surfer who has overcome the disability of encroaching blindness. With positive support from his family, this story reveals Matt’s amazing determination in a variety of sports as he grows up. His journey is told through crisp, brief text accompanied by braille translation beneath and with lively illustration of eager Matt playing rugby, training at the gym, cycling and surfing. In A4 picture book format, this boldly illustrated book should appeal to mid-primary and older readers with tis inspirational message. Highly recommended for school and public libraries, this engaging book demonstrates one boy’s utter determination to overcome disability and continue striving to reach world championship status. His next goal is to win gold for Australia at the 2028 Paralympic Games. Readers will join me in cheering him on.
#readittobelieveit
Find out more about Big Visions and the series on Vision Australia's website.
Book two and three of the series will be released later this year.