Yanga Mother

Yanga Mother by Cheryl Leavy and Christopher Bassi (University of Queensland Press)  ISBN 978 0 7022 6831 1  RRP $25.00 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

As soon as you lay eyes on this gorgeous picture book you cannot help but be drawn in by artist Christopher Bassi’s beautiful and captivating illustrations. You will want to both linger on the cover and inside cover pages to admire the artwork, while at the same time feel the urge to turn the page and begin reading.

It is clear from the start that this story is told equally through the illustrations and the text. This in no way diminishes the power and importance of the text, which is sparse and simple (less that forty words in total) yet poetic and strongly evocative. Leavy has been meticulous in her word selection, ensuring that each precious word and phrase chosen earns its keep in conveying the message and tone of the story.

Yanga Mother is essentially a story about the unbreakable and enduring bond shared between mother and child, represented in this book by a dhugandu (grey kangaroo) and her joey. Told in Kooma language, which is written first then followed by the English translation, the story reinforces the message for children that their mother is always there for them ‘Everywhere Everywhen’.

However, reading it with a knowledge of the historical events of colonisation and the stolen generation in this country gives the work a deeper significance, and opens an opportunity for further discussion about this for older children. Indeed, Leavy directly addresses older readers at the end of the book, revealing to them the story of her own grandmother who was stolen from her family as a child.

Leavy also shares some her language with readers by including a glossary of Kooma words and their English translations.

I see this picture book as being suitable for a wide range of readers aged from three years and upwards, both as a wonderful story to read or listen to as well as a valuable resource for further discussion and education about the culture and history our First Nations people.