Catalpa

Subtitle: Escape to Freedom
By: Joy Lefroy
Illustrated by: Mike Lefroy
Genre: HBTV - Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions
Published by: Fremantle Press
Published: 03 Mar 2026
ISBN: 9781760996673

Description

This is the extraordinary true story of Australia's most daring escape.

It is 150 years since an audacious plan was hatched to rescue a group of unlawfully persecuted Irishmen from Fremantle Prison.

The plot involved friendships and political alliances, secret letters, undercover spies, treachery and a ship, Catalpa, sailing under a false flag. The bold Fenians contended with police on their trail, a looming storm and the threat of international war.

Combining beautiful original illustrations by Marion Duke with historical artefacts such as contemporaneous lithographs and scrimshaw, the authors blend narrative and non-fiction storytelling to create a thrilling new picture book.

Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.