My country by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Sally Morgan

The gorgeous book My country, listed as a CBCA Picture Books Notable Book and a CBCA Early Childhood Notable Book in 2012, has been republished in a new, small (19.5x19.5cm) hardback format that is just perfect for small hands. Author of many books, including The two-hearted numbat, Ezekiel Kwaymullin and illustrator Sally Morgan (of the acclaimed My place) are both from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Their collaboration with My Country has resulted in this beautiful book.

The text flows beautifully with a phrase/page:..."sing the earth's song"..."fly with the red desert wind"..."ride the whispering wind". These are action sequences and on each double page spread there is an illustration of a child doing just whatever the phrase suggests. The phrase sits in the middle of the left page of each double page spread (usually white font on a purple background). The illustrations flow whimsically too. They are detailed and seem to be a hybrid combination of Indigeous artwork in the detail and vibrant colours but including western styles of simple, happy children and clouds and suns et al with smiley faces. The little bird that accompanies the child on the journey has a Leunig look about him! The artwork is created with ink, coloured pencils and digital colouring. The book design by  Fremantle based author and artist Tracey Gibbs and Perth based graphic designer and illustrator Rebecca Mills is deserving of attention because their work significantly augments the already considerable appeal of the work of the text and illustrations. 

Dreamy and whimsical, My country, is an outstanding Australian contribution to the genre of world wide whimsical, mythical, spiritual, illustrated old, old tales of creation that spring from all cultures where life and creation is firmly rooted in the earth. Children love immersion in places they call home and places far, far away. Immersion in magical tales that are illustrated with beautiful pictures of the natural world bring a comforting sense of the eternal presence and continuum of past, present and future implicit in the text and illustrations.  My country is one of those books that has an effect on the reader that imparts a love for country and a sense of belonging. Books from other cultures like The lights that dance in the night (2022) by Yuval Zommer which is about the Aurora Borealis are recommended to read in tandem in order for children to marvel even more about the awesome variety in our world. While My Country deals with the red desert dust, the hiding sun, the whispering wind, the moonlight, the lightning clouds and the moonlight tide, The lights that dance in the night has snow, reindeer and the northern lights. Books like these exude wonder and joy and an understanding that we, like all creatures, can bask in the mystery and the beauty. My country is a celebration of our Australian country and a cosy story to read together. As Good reading say, it is..." a book that should be in every home" because it is.." a beautiful celebration of our country".

Teaching notes and activities are available.

The sense of love and belonging and peace makes My country the perfect nursery book.

Themes: Love of country (Australia) The Dreaming.

Wendy Jeffrey