Fabish: The Horse That Braved A Bushfire by Neridah McMullin & Andrew McLean
This is a true story from the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, written from the perspective of a brave trainer, John Evett, and a courageous horse, Fabish.
An ex-racehorse, Fabish’s retirement role was to look after the young horses (known as yearlings) out in a back paddock. That fateful summer when a hot wind brought fire to the property, the trainer opened the paddock gate and told Fabish to take the seven yearlings to safety. While the trainer kept the racehorses in the barn all night, Fabish and the yearlings survived surrounded by fire. This remarkable story is written with an ear for the sound of language, and the paintings by Andrew McLean of the horses and the landscape are breathtaking. It is suitable for readers aged 5 and up, particularly in a classroom setting where you can discuss bushfire and its impact upon humans and animals.