Finding Frank - Terrain Tamer Children's Book

ORDER 'Finding Frank' - direct from Terrain Tamer only - link here.

I was honoured to be asked to illustrate 'Finding Frank' in 2024, for Terrain Tamer - a family owned and operated Australian company of 50+ years, and leader of 4x4 parts in Australia and across the globe. If you love four wheel driving in the Outback, then you would have heard of Terrain Tamer.

'Finding Frank' tells the story of the origins of this company, of Frank Hutchinson and then business partner, Don Kyatt, and Bill King - pioneer of tours into the red centre in the 1960's and 70's. A time when there was no Stuart Highway, no road houses or roadside assistance, and Bill's need for reliable vehicles and parts was paramount.

Terrain Tamer was born out of Frank’s determination to find solutions for problems like Bill’s, and, as the four-wheel drive community grew over the years, the problems of mine operators, cattle station owners and recreational drivers around the world.

On the surface, the Terrain Tamer story is simply one of a spare parts business that has grown to see international success. But Instead of on-selling parts from suppliers, the company was putting their name behind those they had created themselves. At its heart, this story is one of a company that has not only survived but thrived thanks to a consistent, ongoing culture of listening, problem solving and hard work. This, coupled with an innate understanding of what it takes to take on the Australian Outback, is what has driven six decades of innovation.
This is the Terrain Tamer story.

In producing the artwork for this book, Terrain Tamer asked me to revisit my Captain Kangaroo days and paint in acrylic, to capture the vivid colours of the Australian Outback. My research had to be meticulous, as I was representing real life characters and a classic FJ45V 4wd which Terrain Tamer had restored themselves.
If you are a 4wd fan, you'll love watching the process of this - it's called the Project Series and can be viewed here. Needless to say, I watched this video series over and over and over again, and many other Youtube videos on 4wds. What does a vehicle look like when the suspension goes? How do you change wheel bearings whilst out bush?

I loved revisiting the gorgeous colours of the Australian Outback and I'm so very grateful to Terrain Tamer for trusting me to bring their story to life in a children's book.

If you would like to order a copy of 'Finding Frank' (available in paperback), it can ONLY be purchased direct from Terrain Tamer's website. The link is at the top of this page. Be sure to look out for the little bearded dragon on every spread. I love hiding characters like this for kids to find :)

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