ABOUT 1300 school children from 14 schools are soon to receive a book that takes them on a fun journey of their city – Logan.
Author Karen Tyrrell has teamed with Quota Beenleigh on the ambitious project which brings a young audience closer to local history.
Now published and available to the community, Ms Tyrrell hopes Logan Then and Now teaches the city’s younger generations about “Logan’s past and their future”.
The book, illustrated by Megan Forward, follows children Martha and Jacob, and a sugar glider named Sweetie as they explore Logan City.
The book features the city’s past, ‘then’, on the left page and ‘now’ on the right page.
“Starring Sweetie the sugar glider, I created the left page with intriguing historical facts,” Ms Tyrrell said.
“On the right page, Martha and Jacob explored Logan’s attractions with fun and imagination.”
Ms Tyrrell and Quota Beenleigh decided on 13 places in Logan they thought would interest children.
 “With my husband Steve Tyrrell, we visited these historical places taking detailed notes and photos of what happened in the past and how children can enjoy that place now,” she said.
Ms Tyrrell and her husband spoke to the descendants of Alexander Clark Park, the curator of Mayes Cottage, the managers of Kingston Butter Factory and others during their research.
“I met with Hilda McLean, local heritage specialist from Logan Central Library who gave me links to historical photos,” she said.
She said all the text within the book was fact-checked by Steve Tyrrell, editor Liane McDermott, Quota and Logan City Council.
All Yugambeh words were fact-checked by Aunty Robyn of the Yugambeh Youth Choir and Yugambeh Museum.
Ms Tyrrell even shared a few facts about the city from Logan Then and Now.
“Eagleby Wetlands contains evidence of the Yugambeh people’s past activity with stone tools on the ground and scarred trees,” Ms Tyrrell said.
“In 1862, timber workers built a settlement at Logan Village to float timber down the Logan River to Brisbane.
“In 1887, the Mayes Family built Mayes Cottage and planted fruit trees, pineapples and grapes, and kept bees for honey. The children played cricket on the lawn, and their horse, Morgan, loved to graze in the veggie patch.”
Ms Tyrrell is the author of 16 other books, including Follow the Sugar Trail and Ready Set Discover Logan.
Order Logan Then and Now at karentyrrell.com/mybooks/
