Lilli and Shadow in Trouble

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble by Laura Dudgeon and Sabrina Dudgeon, illustrated by Sally Morgan and Tracey Gibbs (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 9-781-922-893-359
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

The Waarda Series are wonderful little books. In Waarda, Nyungar is the word(s), for talking and sharing stories. Edited by Sally Morgan, the stories are designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school by making books available to them written by Indigenous authors. At the same time, it will introduce non-Indigenous children to the richness and depth of Indigenous storytelling. The stories in the series are adventurous stories that are easy and logical to read, fun, interesting and diverse. There’s a lot to learn in these little books. I did!

Lilli and Shadow have met before but are reunited in an exciting new adventure – only this time it’s Shadow that needs Lilli’s help. Someone, or something has taken over Shadow’s home in the big old mango tree and without his home Shadow is fading fast. With Nan to lends them a hand, and together they must find the best solution for everyone. I love Nan’s no-nonsense, firm but practical approach to life. She’s a very re-assuring character, always cheerful and she just knows how to handle things in life.

There are some beautiful themes represented in this story: the themes of family, cooperation, safety as well as the benefits of having a positive attitude. The grey lead sketched artwork throughout is gentle and fun, revealing Shadow and Glog, putting the whole story into perspective. There is also a map of Australia, showing Bardi country in the Kimberly in Western Australia where Laura and Sabrina Dudgeon are from.

The Waarda series is an exciting new Indigenous children’s series, ideal first chapter books for new readers.

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble by Laura Dudgeon and Sabrina Dudgeon (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 97819220893
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

These two books are from the Waarda series created in 2009 by Sally Morgan, the UWA Centre for Indigenous Studies and Fremantle Press. The series is composed of junior fiction titles written by emerging Indigenous writers ‘to encourage literacy and cultural awareness’. Waarda is Nyungar for talking and sharing stories. The series was created ‘in response to the lack of Indigenous resources available for first readers’.

Lilli is spending the school holidays up north with her Nan whom she loves dearly. But she equally loves her magical dingo cat friend and guardian spirit Shadow, who can change shape and disappear into hard surfaces like Nan’s mango tree which is his home.

But something is wrong with Shadow. A creature named Glog has taken over residence in the mango tree which strengthens Shadow. Glog has lost his former home in the mangrove swamp to other creatures, therefore is becoming weak and is fading.

Lilli gives Glog her lucky ribbon bracelet that her friend Alice gave her when they said goodbye. This strengthens Glog while Nan finds a new mangrove tree for him to move into. ‘As soon as we are together again, life becomes an adventure’ Lilli tells Shadow.

Laura Dudgeon is 19 years old and this is her second book. Her first book Lilli and her Shadow was published when she was sixteen years old.