The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2)

The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2) by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Samantha Campbell (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781761521027

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Nerra now knows that she can travel back in time to the Dreaming. So when her great-grandmother’s box of artifacts opens again, she realises that a grand adventure awaits her. In the box, a feathered headband catches her eye. When she puts it on, she is instantly transported to the realm of the Creation Beings. Nerra soon discovers that the evil Devour’ena has returned, and they have captured Waa the Raven. Can Nerra find a way to free Waa and stop the Devour’ena from destroying Country?

Inspired by her Boonwurrung heritage, Tasma Walton’s time-slip tale takes readers aged eight to twelve deep into the heart of the Dreaming. Enthralling Aboriginal language and lore abound, which will appeal to Indigenous and non-Indigenous children alike. Nerra is a clever and courageous Aboriginal heroine, while the Creation Beings – including Bunjil the Eagle and Koonwarra the Swan – are strong and comforting presences in the suspenseful story.

Indigenous illustrator Samantha Campbell brings the characters to life in her detailed pen-and-ink images. Perhaps the most striking is her drawing of Tooradin the Bunyip, a blend of ancient reptiles and emu. Dynamic vignettes and full-page illustrations depict moments of high drama, helping kids visualise the relentless action's elements.

The Winds of Waa is a breath of fresh air in the middle-grade scene. Combining the age-old legends of Aboriginal Australians with the modern idea of time travel, it is an enthralling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Beach Song

Beach Song by Ros Moriarty & Samantha Campbell (Allen & Unwin) PB HB RRP $24.99 9781922539572 

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Ros Moriarty is the author of Kangaroos Hop and the highly acclaimed Bidhi Galing. She is the creative and managing director of leading Australian design studio, Balarinji and the co-founder of the not-for-profit Moriarty Foundation. She lives on Cammeraygal Country in Sydney.

Samantha Campbell is a published children’s book illustrator and graphic designer. Her first children’s book Alfred’s War was shortlisted for two literary awards. She is the illustrator for Coolamon Creative. She draws inspiration from her childhood growing up in remote Aboriginal communities across the Top End.

Beach Song is a lyrical story that celebrates the joy found exploring the coast. Moriarty has created a text that is a joy to read with beautiful language, alliteration, and some rhyme.  A repetitive pattern is used on each spread, that captures the fun of exploring the beach and it makes reading the text aloud joyful. When I loll and roll and twist and turn, I see what the squid sees – tumbling shells on the ocean floor that glisten and gleam in luminous light. I swim like the squid swims. The words allow for actions as the book is read.

Each animal has the child doing a different movement. It lets a child know and understand that each animal is unique and special and has its own unique place at the beach. Moriarty cleverly explores the different weather elements that can be experienced at the beach. When I run on the beach in the pelting rain, I see what the seagull sees – the sky’s own waterfall of sparkly spears from summer’s skidding purple clouds. Her word choices create wonderful visuals and immerse a child in the feeling of the beach. We also see the text take the story from morning until night. 

Campbell’s illustrations are immersive and playful. She captures a childlike view of the world and the beach environment delightfully. Her colour choices are those of an Australian sky and coast. She changes perspective according to the environment and animal. The face of the child on each spread has so much expression and a little bit of magic too. The child repeats the actions of the animal alongside the animal.   I love that as the child interacts with the environment for each animal, they are respected and admired. The fun of the beach splashes onto each spread. The cover is perfect with the title crafted from beach items found on a beach. We immediately know the book is about a child exploring the beach. The sandy endpapers with seaside animals and shells are great openers and ends for the book.

Beach Song is a picture book that would be a perfect gift for any Australian child. It is suitable for children 4 to 8 years and reads aloud wonderfully well. The book has appeal to children, parents, teachers, and librarians. Children are encouraged to explore and enjoy our beaches. It is a good fit to the Australian school curriculum and really is a celebration of the coastline of our wonderful nation.

The Broken Rainbow: Nerra, Deep Time Traveller

The Broken Rainbow: Nerra, Deep Time Traveller by Tasma Walton. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell. Scholastic Australia 2023. Paperback RRP $16.99. ISBN 9781760264567.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Nerra loves her family, particularly her great-grandmother, Nana Mirrin, who shares many stories of the Dreamtime and history with Nerra. Nerra wishes Nana could live forever. She feels sad when Nana talks about returning to her dreaming, and Nerra knows that means Nana will be called away from the world sometime soon.

During the first week of the school holidays, Nerra stares through her bedroom window at a strange, grey, constant rain that has persisted for a week. Something about the rain isn’t right. Little does Nerra realise that her life is about to change dramatically.

Nana gifts an old wooden box to Nerra and explains to her that is has been passed down through generations. As it is passed along each time to the third generation, it is now Nerra’s turn to be the keeper. She asks what is in the box and tries to open the lid, which will not budge. Nana says that it only opens occasionally but will open when the time is right in line the will of the Ancestors. She also gifts Nerra with a special shell bracelet, to remind her that Nana will always be with her.

After her great-grandmother’s passing, Nerra lays down for a rest. When the bracelet falls from her wrist, it lands under the bed next to the box. Nerra manages to open the box and she is drawn to an ancient pair of clapsticks. As she handles them, something unbelievable happens. Nerra finds herself transported to the Dreamtime, where the Dreaming is way out of balance. The husband and wife of the rainbow have been separated and kidnapped by evil, otherworld beings. Nerra realises that she has been tasked with the job of rescue and restoration. So begins an epic adventure of boldness and bravery, a situation which needs a heroine. Can Nerra step in, aided by two others, and restore nature’s balance by reuniting the rainbow keepers and overcoming the wicked Devour’ena?

This is the first in a new adventure series for 8-12-year-olds. Easy to read, this will engage the imaginations of young readers, especially those interested in Dreamtime stories. It includes a glossary at the back of the book, explaining some of the Indigenous words.