Catalpa

Escape to Freedom

Joy Lefroy, Mike Lefroy

$29.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Fremantle Arts Centre Prs
03 March 2026

Maritime history; Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions; Children's & Educational; True stories (Children's&YA); History & the past: general interest (Children's&YA)

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.

By: Joy Lefroy, Mike Lefroy
Imprint: Fremantle Arts Centre Prs
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 197mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 424g
ISBN: 9781760996673
ISBN 10: 176099667X
Pages: 64
Publication Date: 03 March 2026
Recommended Age: From 7 to 12 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Mike Lefroy (Author) Mike Lefroy is an educator, writer and historian. He loves the challenge of bringingWestern Australian stories to life through his books, street walks, lectures and museum tours. He previously worked as Head of Education with the H.M. Bark Endeavour project and the WA Maritime Museum. Joy Lefroy (Author) Joy Lefroy is an author, educator and printmaker. She has a passion for the history and heritage of Western Australia and, with partner Mike, they host walks, talks and general stories of local history through their business Museums Without Walls. Previously she was Head of Education at the National Trust of Western Australia.