The Reindeer and the Submarine

Sometimes things have to change even though we might not want them to. An orphaned reindeer with no antlers, Pollyanna is raised by Igor, a Sámi herder, and is more at home in the company of people than other reindeer. When she discovers Igor is leaving for war, Pollyanna decides to follow, but en route, she is captured and gifted to the crew of a British submarine, the HMS Trident. Life onboard the Trident brings more than a few surprises, and Pollyanna - with her love of food - gets into all kinds of mischief. But she also makes friends, becomes part of the crew, and uses her courage and cheekiness to comfort her companions in the dark days of the war. Eventually all journeys come to an end however, and Pollyanna finds herself facing a new adventure. A timeless story of bravery, hope and facing change, as told by Pollyanna, the real-life reindeer who proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Beverley McWilliams loves sharing history with young children. In August 2019, she published her debut picture book Born to Fly, which tells the story of South Australian aviator Captain Harry Butler and received a notable commendation from the CBCA. Beverley's writing has also been published online and in magazines, and she is a regular contributor to The School Magazine, Australia's longest-running literary publication for children. Beverley is the event coordinator for the Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI SA) and a member of the Australian Society Authors. She lives by the beach in beautiful South Australia with her family and menagerie of pets who provide endless inspiration. The Reindeer and the Submarine is her first middle-grade novel.