Walking Together

Walking Together by Coral Vass (Scholastic), RRP $26.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781761-126260

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

“We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.” This final sentence from the Uluru Statement from the Heart is the blurb of Walking Together and the perfect starting point for this gem of a picture book which takes the readers by the hand for a journey throughout Australia. The journey is an expression that we, as Australians, can continue to move forwards in support of an improved way in which the rights and opportunities for First Nations people can be recognised.

 

Now, this is an advanced and obviously political topic that is difficult for a child to understand. However, I believe the intention of this book is for it to be read with an adult to introduce lower primary school aged children to the truths of the past and present for our First Nations peoples. Furthermore, it stimulates discussion about what we can all do to create a better future.

 

The illustrations by Dub Leffler work in harmony with the melodious text. Reference is made to the hardships suffered by First Nations people in the first two plus centuries of colonisation and hope is presented through a groundswell of children of various skin colours joining the movement to walk together. Through reference to iconic place names, we’re taken to the various corners of Australia and back again. My kids were excited to point out locations that they recognised on the map included in one of the spreads.

 

Overall, I applaud the creators of this book for their boldness in bringing this topic to a young audience and thank them for giving me a visual means to chat with my own kids about how we can contribute to achieve equality.

 

For interested readers, the Uluru Statement website at Home - Uluru Statement from the Heart gives the full statement. It also gives historical background and numerous audio links for translations of the statement into various First Nations languages as well as other world languages. 

Today's Sun

Today's Sun by Gregg Dreise, illustrations by Kamilaroi (Puffin Books) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9781760898335

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The idea of board books for babies such as this, Puffin says, is to raise a reader. Illustrated in black and white, the story is a series of sentences which begin, ‘As today’s sun yawned/stretched/thawed’ and so on. It is told in first-person, but it is difficult to know who the ‘I’ is. For example, one double-page spread reads, ‘As today’s sun cooled, I played hide-and-see like a camouflaged tawny.’ It is accompanied with a stylised picture of a tawny frogmouth owl and two babies on a branch with a stylised border of Aboriginal prints and a sun.

All the twelve pages of this small book are illustrated in artwork that one recognises as Indigenous, a great way to introduce small children to Australian animals and illustrations. There are six sentences altogether, with some vocabulary alien to the youngest readers. This means, of course, the book will need to be read – and explained – to youngsters by adult readers.

With regards to the illustrator, it is interesting to note that the Kamilaroi were an Aboriginal group located in New South Wales along the Barwon, Bundarra, Balonne, and upper Hunter rivers and in the Liverpool plains. They are now nearly extinct and only a small number remain.

Backyard Bugs

 

Backyard Bugs by Helen Milroy (Fremantle Press) HB RRP $14.95 ISBN 9781760990282

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

From the author of Backyard Birds, shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year, the latest picture book by Aboriginal Helen Milroy takes the reader into the garden to share her collection of creepy critters. Written in rhyming couplets, this picture book will doubtless teach kids about the scurrying, scuttling, scooting, buzzing, zooming splendour of insects such as ants, dragonflies, beetles and more.

It is a simple book, just the right size for small hands, with beautiful, bold patterned illustrations which showcase Aboriginal art with its use of dots, swirls, and other decorations. The reader will discover that a spider has eight legs, that a caterpillar turns into a butterfly and that ‘snail and slug slip slide on leaves.’ The colours are vibrant, with each left-hand side page displaying the text on full-colour pages, with the insect represented on the right-hand side. The detailed end papers in green and brown show all the insects in the book against whirling patterns.

Ready. Set. Discover Logan

Ready. Set. Discover Logan by Karen Tyrrell, Illustrated by Aaron Pocock (Digital Future Press) PB RRP $18

ISBN 9780994302199

Reviewed by Wendy Haynes

Follow Yana as she discovers The City of Logan. This is a light-hearted picture book telling the story of Yana who has moved from her country and surrounding she knows so well, to a new country, Australia. Yana feels alone, everything is different, but with the help of Bunji, a local Indigenous boy Yana is taken on a tour of discovery. This tour highlights the many meeting places in The City of Logan, South of Queensland, bringing with it a better understanding of the rich Nature Reserves and cultural experiences available within the community. 

The essence of this book is about community, and the underlying message is one of friendship, acceptance, and merging of cultures. This story is aligned with Harmony Day, sponsored by The Logan City Council and winner of Art Queensland Grant.

It also recognises the First People of Australia and invites readers, particularly newcomers, to discover a new land, a new home, to enable them the feeling of belonging. Among other places, Yana explores Logan City Library, Riverdale Park, and Chung Tian Temple.

 Karen Tyrrell has created an avenue to help children adjust to what can be a difficult time, while Aaron Pocock has enhanced the story with a palette of inviting colours and delightful illustrations that would suit 6 – 8 year olds.

Stories for Simon

Stories for Simon by Lisa Miranda Sarzin, illustrated by Lauren Briggs (Random House)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780857987440

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

Stories for Simon represents more than just a beautifully conceptualised picture book, but a foray to discuss social and cultural issues, mutual respect and the importance of reconciliation and positivity in looking forward. 

Lisa Miranda Sarzin and Lauren Biggs have created a respectful contemporary reflection on Australia’s Stolen Generations that balances delicately between fiction and non-fiction.

Written under the mentorship of Bidjigal Elder, Vic Simms, Sarzin and Biggs skilfully explain the story of Simon who, through a gift of a boomerang, comes to understand the history of the Stolen Generations, the significance of reconciliation and the lessons that all future Australian children can learn in order to pave a harmonious, meaningful society.

Simon’s passage is told in a contemplative, well-researched tone that sees him interacting with his family, school and a boy named Vic who is able to introduce Simon to his own family’s history as part of the Stolen Generations. Each relationship reinforces Simon’s understanding of reconciliation and the significance of Kevin Rudd’s apology on behalf of Australia in 2008. 

Despite the delicate nature of the text, Stories for Simon is united with the evocative illustrations by Lauren Biggs. The use of strong primary colours is unexpected and presents a new way of documenting Australian stories which are typically reliant on warm hues. The pages related to the telling of Aboriginal Dreamtime and Simon’s own dreams are whimsical but graphically strong.

Stories for Simon is the first picture book for both Sarzin and Biggs yet all their royalties will be donated to the GO Foundation, an educational initiative to support Indigenous Australian children founded by 2014 Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes and his cousin Michael O’Loughlin.

School libraries will find this an essential part of their collection. The prospects for discussion and project work around reconciliation themes are extensive, while inspiring children to contemplate what Australia they wish to create. 

Alana Oakley: Mystery and Mayhem

Alana Oakley: Mystery and Mayhem by Poppy Inkwell (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 781925275124

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Energy, madcap mayhem and eccentric personalities are the main features of this novel pitched at girls aged 11 to 13 years. The two main characters are 12 year old Alana and her journalist mother Emma, each of whose stories are told in alternating chapters. Alana, whose father died three years earlier, is dreading the approach of her birthday as catastrophes seem to be their hallmark (note: dancing llamas and juggling fire-breather). Meanwhile, Alana begins Gibson High School with her besties, an Aboriginal girl Maddie and Sophie, who is the only girl in a family of five sons and no father. On the first day of school the three girls meet up with a new Muslim girl, Khalilah, whom they quickly befriend.

Mum’s friends Ling Ling and Katriona are also a colourful duo, fashionistas who seem determined to undermine Emma’s attempts to interview the mega-famous rock star sensation Slam Guru. Emma’s exclusive opportunity goes awry when the singer freaks out at seeing Katriona, who has stalked him overseas (not that she sees this as a problem.)

At school during her first lesson, a valuable charm goes missing which sets Alana and her mates on a quest to find out who has (probably) stolen it. Non-stop action ensues as the hunt goes on and Alana and her gang try to negotiate school hazards such as their Nazi-like physical education coach and over-the-top nurse. Then there’s Emma who seems destined to date what might be a mass-murderer she’s met online. Over-hanging all the non-stop escapades is Alana’s fear of her upcoming birthday and what might go wrong this time.

The author has set this fast-paced, sometimes melodramatic tale in Sydney’s inner suburbs and there is a convincing sense of place as the characters traverse areas such as Redfern and Newtown. The book’s characters, on the other hand, are so wildly different from the norm and their antics so exaggerated that the reader simply has to go along for the ride and accept that life in the extended Oakley world is quite outrageous.

Each of the chapters is given headings which foretell what’s to come – such as ‘Tattoos, chooks and botched translations,’ ‘Intense. Insane. Same-same lah!’ and ‘Treading the fine line between fun, Fun and no fun at all.’ 

This book is certainly very different to the usual fare for teens. 

Knockabout cricket: A story of sporting legend – Johnny Mullagh

Knockabout cricket: A story of sporting legend – Johnny Mullagh by Neridah McMullin, Illustrated by Ainsley Walters (One Day Hill Publishing)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780992439736

Reviewed by J Wishart

This charming and informative picture book is aimed at middle primary school readers. It tells the story of a young Aboriginal man, Unaarrimin, also known as Johnny Mullagh, who became a famous cricket all-rounder in the 1860s.

The narrative begins with a schoolboy, James, at home on Pine Hills sheep station for the holidays. Cricket was popular and James often played with the shearers at the end of their working day. When Johnny Mullagh emerges from the bush and is introduced to the game by James, the author describes a fictional – but entirely possible – version of the first match Mullagh ever played.

The author has used lively and evocative language to capture the game, with the ‘thwack’ of the bat and balls ‘fizzing’ through grass. Throughout the main story there are also fact-boxes tracing the life of Johnny Mullagh, his trademark batting style, and the development of cricket as a game. At the end, Johnny’s story is summarised again to acknowledge his great talent and eventful life, including a tour of England in 1868, and the difficulties he faced as an Aboriginal player.

The illustrator has employed a painting style reminiscent of artists like Pro Hart to effectively depict the open spaces and broad skies of the Australian outback. The passage of time during Johnny’s re-imagined first match is shown through deepening sunset colours and eventual dusk that descends over the players and ends their beloved game for the day.

The result is a blend of fictional story, facts and artwork, with broad appeal and loads of potential to engage readers.

Zenna Dare

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Zenna Dare by Rosanne Hawke (Rhiza Press
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-925139-03-7
Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Jenefer moves to the old family home in country Kapunda, she encounters a secret from the past.  What sort of life did Gweniver, her great-great-great-grandmother lead?  What connection did she have to the glamorous young singer Zenna Dare?  Jenefer’s curiosity develops into a passion and she is taken on a journey that spans five generations, from Cornwall to Australia.  Her pursuit of the mysterious Zenna Dare brings reconciliation in more ways than Jenefer could ever have imagined.

Zenna Dare is the latest book from Australian author Rosanne Hawke.  It is a lovely book that moves along with a good pace.  The simplicity of the premise is misleading – a teenage girl’s search into her family history; the story touches on such a broad range of topics, from the sense of dislocation at moving towns to Victorian social conventions; genealogy to racial prejudice and the treatment of Aboriginals.  Never, however, is the story bogged down with extraneous details.

 A typical teen, Jenefer sees life with a very limited perspective.  It is her search into the life of her great-great-great-grandmother, Gweniver, which opens her eyes to the wider world; and not only as a means of appreciating her own situation.  As Jenefer delves deeper into her family’s past, she also starts to gain an appreciation of her newfound friend Caleb’s family history.  As an Aboriginal, Caleb has very different family stories and secrets to tell.  It helps Jenefer become present to the treatment of the Aboriginals – both now and throughout Australian history.  Whilst the topic is not the central focus of the book, it provides an interesting counterpoint to Jenefer’s discovery of her past and a gentle reminder of the backdrop of European settlement.

Caleb also presents as the romantic interest in the story.  However, I particularly liked that it was a sub-plot that did not dominate.  Whilst it was clear that a budding relationship between the two was developing, the book did not digress into a teenage romance.

 I really enjoyed Zenna Dare; finding it both an easy and interesting read.  The amount of research that has gone into it is evident and the book goes a long way to reminding us of the amazing, interesting and heartbreaking stories that exist within our own families.

  
Rosanne Hawke is an Australian, award-winning author of over twenty books.  Her titles include: Shahana, Taj and the Great Camel Trek and The Messenger Bird.  Rosanne was an aid working in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for ten years and now teaches Creative Writing at Tabor Adelaide.  She lives in South Australia with her family.  She can be found online at: http://www.rosannehawke.com/