Tag Archives: First Nations

Jun3

Custodians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 2 -Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard

Posted on by
Standard

Allen & Unwin

May 2023

ISBN: 9781761180040

Publisher: A&U Children’s

RRP: $15.99

Wylah proved herself in her first adventure, and achieved the near-impossible in uniting the five Guardians, now firmly at her side but her mission continues. She must press on through the Valley of the Spirits, with all its risks and dangers in order to set herself against the Dragon Army, and rescue her people.

Again the narrative is fast-paced, plentifully strewn with humour (a bum fight between a giant wombat and a drop bear can be nothing but-t!) and heavily laced with traditional story aspects and cultural references. There is also excellent explanation of words in language. Wylah and her stalwart companions encounter both friend and foe in their journey, and must even overcome treachery in her own ranks.

Your readers will be gripped by the action and be ready to jump and down and yell at those who work against this fearless young warrior. This has been such a successful formula from these two creators, and such a refreshing new take on First Nations MG literature. It has given me great pleasure to see kiddos in various libraries with the first in their hands and I predict that this will be highly sought after, when it hits your shelves.

I think we will all be waiting for the next instalment impatiently. Highly recommended for your readers from around 8 years up to lower secondary, and a fine way to round off Reconciliation Week 2023.

9781761180040Download
Jun1

My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine) – Melissa Greenwood

Posted on by
Standard

Harper Collins Australia

May 2023

  • ISBN: 9780733342998
  • ISBN 10: 073334299X
  • Imprint: ABC Books AU
  • RRP: $24.99

Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood has created another beautiful and stylish picture book to add to your collection of First Nations titles. This is a dreamy and gentle bedtime love story between mother and child, country and culture. With a text that is interspersed with words from her own traditional language, and her own contemporary styled artwork this will become a staple for many bedside readings for little ones.

I love that Melissa’s artwork echoes traditional stylistic components but her fusion with more contemporary colours and placement of features makes it a real stand-out. This one with its frequent use of pastels completely encapsulates that soothing rhythm we look for to send a little one off to sleep, and the passage of time from day to night is echoed in the change of colours and tones.

At the end of the book the entire text is written in both her own language and English. I think the only thing that would have made this more perfect would have been a CD so that we who might struggle with some pronunciation could listen to its beauty in the language of the creator.

Highly recommended for your little readers – or as a stunning gift for a newborn jarjum in your mob.

Why not take time to check out Miimi and Jiinda for artwork and lifestyle items from Melissa and her Miimi (mother)?

May26

Our Mob – Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton/Seantelle Walsh

Posted on by
Standard

Ford St Publishing

May 2023

ISBN: 9781922696236

RRP: $17.99

This is a stunning new picture book for your younger readers that will take them around Australia to visit various mobs on Country and find out a little more about each. Authors, Jacinta and Taylor, are the co-founders of Birrang Cultural Connections, based in Victoria [check out the fabulous photos on their FB page!]. Their aim is to provide cross-cultural learning experiences to children in the Albury/Wodonga district. In this book they can take that learning experience further afield, introducing kiddos to their First Nations peers from one end of the country to the other.

With each double spread readers are introduced to another proud Aboriginal kid and find out a little about customs or practices in their own Country. Through the simple but effective and expressive text, children will ‘meet’ a kid from a particular mob, and learn about their own personal connection to country and customs. Each of these is illustrated beautifully with Seantelle’s sensitive and exquisitely rendered interpretations of each child and their own experiences, with reference to traditional art techniques.

I absolutely love this book! It’s such a fabulous way to show all kids the differences and variety from one mob to another, and your readers will truly enjoy getting to know each one. And while each page is lovely in its own right – our favourite is, of course, the Wiradjuri page with little Arlo and his Pop :-), and the story of the nation totem, the gugaa.

This is a must for your shelves so if you haven’t already, get it on order now.

Highly recommended for readers from 3 year olds in kindy upwards to mid-primary. And there are some terrific and comprehensive teaching notes to accompany it.

our-mob-teacher-notes-1Download
Feb15

My Dream Time – Ash Barty

Posted on by
Standard

Harper Collins Australia

November 2022

  • ISBN: 9781460762820
  • ISBN 10: 1460762827
  • Imprint: HarperSports AU
  • List Price: 49.99 AUD

Like many others, I am a huge admirer of Ash -though I am no fan of tennis per se. This vibrant young woman has completely captivated the nation with her unfailing professionalism, humility, grace and low-key humour. She has become a stand-out role model for our young people, not only those who are First Nations but for any kid with dreams and aspirations.

I can tell you that having shared some of the Young Ash stories with little people, that even those youngsters not only know who she is but appreciate her athleticism and her style. Yet also like many others, I think, I have never really considered what went before those stellar wins at Grand Slam tournaments and although we are usually cognisant of the hard work athletes put in to achieve their peak, rarely do we consider the mental and physical toll this can take on a person.

Ash takes this opportunity to share the struggle and the triumphs, to thank her team and her family, and to reflect upon the ups and downs, the tears and frustrations and overcoming adversity in whatever shape it presents. It makes for an engrossing read and one which, certainly from my point of view, convinces me even more of the innate integrity, humanity and gutsy fortitude of this amazing athlete.

Ash traces her journey from little kid in Brisbane who, from an early age, displayed an uncanny ability with a racquet and was actively encouraged and supported by family and friends to the proud woman who won the 2022 Australian Open, then gracefully exited the tennis spotlight. The doubts and bouts of depression, the loneliness of the tour, the teen years that were so very different to that of her mates, the solid and enduring friendships she has made are all here, told in a warm and conversational tone – makes me feel as though I’m sitting down with her chatting over a cold beer almost. She really leaves no stone unturned in that history and,throughout it all, we realise that her success may be the end result of a whole lot of teamwork but the essential personality has always been there.

What a champion she is and will continue to be, whatever is next in store for her – aside that is from parenthood – (wishing her all the very best for the forthcoming jarjum!)

Whether you are a sports fan, a tennis fan, a biography fan or just an admirer as I am, I highly recommend this to you. You certainly won’t regret the time spent enjoying the Ash story.

Feb13

Tjitji Lullaby – Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding/Original artwork by Lisa Kennedy

Posted on by
Standard

Harper Collins Australia

November 2022

  • ISBN: 9780733342783
  • ISBN 10: 0733342787
  • Imprint: ABC Books AU
  • List Price: 19.99 AUD

Many readers will already be familiar with this favourite lullaby which features on ABC Kids and what a truly beautiful way to complete a day with your little peeps it is. Now you can also share this stunning board book with even the tiniest of humans with its lyrical text, our wonderful native animals and landscapes and the soothing comfortableness of recognition.

Tjitji (child in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara languages) Lullaby is the creation of the multiple award-winning Electric Dreams partnership. Michael Ross, producer and Zaachariaha Fielding, who regularly sings in his own Anangu language. Their unique fusion of electronic music and traditional culture has garnered acclaim across the world and spans music genres from eloquent pop ballads to contemporised traditional music. AFL fans will recognise their sound from the Dreamtime Round.

Their lullaby created for ABC Kids has literally struck a chord with all who hear it. Lisa Kennedy, First Nations storyteller/artist has brought the musical version of the lullaby to glorious full colour with her evocative illustrations, underlining the serenity and calm that a sunset merging to night sky provides. It is not only special because of its innate beauty but of course, a very simple way to introduce cross-cultural perspectives from an early age. And on this day, the 15th Anniversary of the National Apology, it seemed timely to post my review of this charming book.

What a superb gift this makes for any new jarjum in your circle or as an addition to your collection for Early Childhood readers. I cannot recommend it highly enough to you.

For another insight into First Nations lullabies check here for one in the language of my children and grandchildren, Wiradjuri.

Dec21

Christmas Goodies

Posted on by
Standard

Zola and the Christmas Lights – Melina Marchetta/Deb Hudson

Penguin Australia

October 2022

  • ISBN: 9780143777649
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • RRP: $19.99

For the entirety of the delightful What Zola did On… series, Melina Marchetta consistently delivered such beautiful and meaningful messages to young readers around diversity, community, empathy, friendship and family, all without once becoming preachy or tedious. It truly was joyful to read each new instalment. Now Zola has her very first (and let’s hope, not last) picture book and once again Zola’s story embodies all that made the chapter books so special.

Before school finished up I had the pleasure of sharing this gorgeous book with at least five different classes from Prep to Year 3 and all not only loved it, but also keenly participated in predicting and postulating. It was a highlight of my last few weeks of casual teaching.

Best of all for the very diverse population of children with whom I shared this, there was not one who could not identify with some aspect of this Australian celebration, from my sweet girl who so excitedly told me ‘we have a lantern just like that for Ramadan and my mum wears [that]’ i.e.a hijab, to the ones who could talk earnestly about some people finding it hard to buy groceries, to the ones who had already put up Xmas decorations. We really did have such fun and such richness from it.

Of course the narrative is beautifully illustrated by Deb Hudson, whose work enhanced the chapter books so ably but now explodes into a perfect riot of colour and detail.

It’s not too late to pick up a copy and share with your own little people – and enjoy the talk about what our various celebrations mean to us all.

Highly recommended for readers from 4 years upwards.

Nov8

Back on Country – Adam Goodes/Ellie Laing. Illustrated by David Hardy

Posted on by
Standard

Allen & Unwin

November 2022

Imprint: A&U Children

ISBN: 9781761065088

RRP: $24.99

Another stunning addition to the Welcome to Our Country series from this fabulous team of creators. This is, undoubtedly, one of the most highly acclaimed resources for inclusive teaching of cross-cultural perspectives in the classroom and I have yet to see or hear anyone say otherwise.

Both Adam and David drew on their own childhood experiences of being taken on country to connect with land and family as their inspiration, and augmented this with specific research. The authenticity of both text and illustrations attest to the success of this.

When their Mum takes Lucy and David back on country there is so much for them to see and learn: meeting family, camping out under the amazing sky of stars that one only experiences outback, learning about welcome to country, the significance of fires, ancestors, stories, rock paintings and more.

The fabulous endpapers detail the language words used with their English equivalent and there’s a link and QR code at the end of the book to discover resources, a reading of the book and glossary – making it a perfect learning experience whether in the classroom, library or at home.

I know there are many who have been eagerly anticipating this next (#3) in the series and we know there are still two more to come – how exciting is that!? Don’t delay if you have not yet added these – they are an absolute MUST for your collection and highly recommended for little jarjums from Kindy to around Year 3.

Nov7

Our Dreaming – Kirli Saunders/Dub Leffler

Posted on by
Standard

SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

August 2022

ISBN 9781742995113

RRP $24.99

Photo Credit: The Children’s Bookshop

Goodjagah, little one, walk with me … I want to tell you our Dreaming as the Elders told it to me. Award-winning storytellers, Gunai woman Kirli Saunders and Bigambul man Dub Leffler, explore a deep love and respect for Country and all her spirits … past, present and beyond.

This is a truly beautiful book which was warmly embraced by the Year 3 class with whom I shared it. We all loved the text – which has the effect of being both soothing and gentle -and the children loved guessing the meaning of the words in language used throughout.

Kirli’s lyrical and poetic words are so superbly matched by Dub’s visually eloquent illustrations. We were all entranced with our close examination of them, and the chosen palette of subdued colours not only evokes the colours of the bush, but further added to the sense of calm our reading conjured up.

Mother and puggle echidna wander through the pages as the narrator explains the meaning, depth and wisdom of the chosen Dreaming. Many will think that there is only one Dreaming in First Nations culture, without realising that for each nation or language group there will be both similarities and differences across the traditional stories. One thing in common however is the paramount importance of the love and respect for Country. This is a concept which all Australians should take on board and, indeed, more and more non-Indigenous citizens are beginning to deepen their connection with the land.

It is without doubt one of the most emotive picture books I’ve seen this year and, certainly, one that is valuable for our sharing of cross-cultural perspectives. I highly recommend it to you for your readers from as early to Prep right up to upper primary, where it will do much to promote understanding and respect.

Teaching notes here:

Click to access 100101453_105034.pdf