waarda – Aussie Reviews

Lucky Thamu by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker & Jaylon Tucker

‘Come on, Eli!’ shouted Dad. ‘Just throw your jocks in the bag next to your socks – that way you’ll remember to change your jocks as well.’

‘Ahh. Don’t embarrass me, Dad,’ replied Eli.

Ten-year-old Eli was a Noongar-Wongi kid. His mum was a Noongar from the south-west of Western Australia and his dad was a Wongi from the north-eastern Goldfields. Elie was a gentle, shy boy with a birthmark shaped like a boomerang just above his right eye and shiny black hair down to his collar. Eli had four older brothers, two older sisters, two dogs named Bunthar (look out) and Moorditj (solid), and a fat, fluffy ginger cat named Inni (yes).

‘Come on, Eli!’ shouted Dad. ‘Just throw your jocks in the bag next to your socks – that way you’ll remember to change your jocks as well.’

‘Ahh. Don’t embarrass me, Dad,’ replied Eli.

Perth-raised Eli is going to visit this grandfather (Thamu) and his grandmother (Garbarli) in Kalgoorlie for the school holidays. He’s visited before but this time is extra-special as it’s the first time he’s going on his own. He wants to be just like his grandfather when he grows up. He loves Thamu’s all of Thamu’s stories. This time, Thamu has an extra surprise. They are going camping and prospecting. Eli is keen to learn everything and perhaps to find a gold nugget of his own.

Lucky Thamu is a new title in the Waarda series of stories from Fremantle Press. They are short, action-packed stories for young readers and are supported by online teacher notes. Each title presents indigenous stories and culture. Lucky Thamu is a contemporary story and portrays the special and important relationship that exists between grandparent and grandchild. Their adventure in the bush is enriched by story and shared experience. Recommended for newly-independent readers.

Lucky Thamu , Cheryl Kickett-Tucker & Jaylon Tucker Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781925161304

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

A Cyclone is Coming! by Darlene Oxenham

Pop was right! Yesterday afternoon the wind started blowing and has not yet stopped blowing since. I have never been in a cyclone before. In fact, I’m not even sure what a cyclone really is.

A cyclone is headed for Useless Loop. Annie isn’t really sure what a cyclone is, but her dad explains that it is a big storm that can do a lot damage. Annie and her family must work to prepare for the cyclone, to keep their caravan – and themselves – safe. When the cyclone hits Annie finds out exactly what it is.

A Cyclone is Coming is a new junior fiction title aimed at primary aged readers. Part of the Waarda series. Aimed at encouraging literacy and cultural awareness for Indigenous children and children of all backgrounds, A Cyclone is Coming offers an interesting story with simple text and illustrations to support meaning making.

A Cyclone is Coming , by Darlene Oxenham
Fremantle Press, 2013
ISBN 978192208934

Available from good bookstores or online.

Lilla and Shadown in Trouble, by Laura Dudgeon

Nan hesitated… ‘I’m worried about Shadow. He hasn’t been going to the mango tree lately. And he isn’t as black as he should be. I think he is fading. See if you can find out what’s been bothering him. He is acting very strangely and I can’t work out why.’

When Lilli had to move away to the city, her Nan send Shadow with her to help her settle. But now Shadow is back home, where he belongs, and Lilli has come to visit. Her excitement turns to concern when Nan reveals that Shadow isn’t well. Something is troubling him and Lilli and Nan must figure out what it is, and how to hep him.

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble is a short, exciting, chapter book adventure set in Kununurra and featuring a young girl and her guardian spirit friend Shadow. As well as being an intriguing adventure, this is also a story about friendship and environmental issues.

Part of the Waarda series, aimed at supporting the literacy needs of Indigenous children, Lilli and Shadow in Trouble will interest primary aged children of all backgrounds.

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble, by Laura Dudgeon and Sabrina Dudgeon
Fremantle Press, 2013
ISBN 9781922089359

Available from good bookstores and online.

Emu and the Water Tree by Gladys Milroy

‘Emu and the Water Tree’ is a new offering in the WAARDA series for young readers from Fremantle Press. It brings traditional and new indigenous tales to a wide readership.

One day Emu was out flying when he spotted a strange tree growing high on top of a large hill. The tree had two long branches, no leaves, and a thick trunk covered in bright red bark.

‘Oh, this is exciting,’ said Emu, I’ve never seen a tree like that before.’ And he flew down to have a closer look.

‘Emu and the Water Tree’ comes from a time when Emus could still fly and animals could talk to one another. Emu finds Serpent in the base of a tree with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of fresh, clean water. He does a deal with Serpent and continues to enjoy the water. It is some time before he realises that while the water in the tree continues, the land around is drying out, the creeks and waterholes empty. It’s only then that he realises his selfishness and the cost of a deal with Serpent. He has to make decisions then.

Emu and the Water Tree is a new offering in the WAARDA series for young readers from Fremantle Press. It brings traditional and new indigenous tales to a wide readership. Black and white illustrations break up the text in these first chapter books, making them perfect for newly independent readers. Emu is curious and foolish, and Serpent is cunning and convincing in a story that works on many levels. Recommended for all newly independent young readers, or for anyone wanting to access traditional tales.

Emu and the Water Tree, Gladys Milroy
Fremantle Press 2012
ISBN: 9781921888717

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Yippee! Summer Holidays by Tjalaminu Mia and Jessica Lister

It’s the first day of the holidays and the world is looking rosy. The only thing that will make it better is a visit from Debbie and Billie’s grandfather.

‘Wake up, wake up, Debbie!’ Billy yells with delight as he runs into my bedroom. ‘Yippee, yippee, we don’t have school today, it’s the holidays!’

‘Yippee is Billy’s favourite word and I’m getting sick of hearing it.

‘Go away, Billy, it’s still dark outside. I want to sleep some more.’

Billy gets up so early on the holidays!

It’s the first day of the holidays and the world is looking rosy. The only thing that will make it better is a visit from Debbie and Billie’s grandfather. He organises tyre races and other fun things. But he’s also a storyteller, sharing stories of his childhood and of the stories he learned then. Through the stories and their time together, he teaches Debbie about the world around her and her part in it. He teaches her old truths and new truths.

Yippee! Summer Holidays is part of Fremantle Press series Yaarda, written by indigenous storytellers and sharing indigenous stories. Debbie and her younger can-be-annoying brother both enjoy their life, full of open air and free time. They also very much enjoy being part of an extended family, and sharing and learning with their grandfather. In this Yaarda title, the story mirrors that of the writers, a grandmother and granddaughter. ‘Yippee!’ combines a contemporary tale with traditional learning. Text is interspersed with black and white illustrations, making it perfect for newly independent readers.

Yippee! Summer Holidays, Tjalaminu Mia and Jessica Lister
Fremantle Press 2012
ISBN: 9781921888724

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Barlay, by Cheryl Kickett-Tucket

Sarah and her brothers, Jay and Rene, lived with their parents and Nan in a white house with a red roof. The house sat high in the hills on the Darling scarp, nestled amongst the tall white gum trees. Many birds made their homes in the trees and Sarah loved ot listen to the, and watch the bush animals eat and play. She was a Noongar girl, so for her family the bush was a spiritual place where people could learn many special things.

Sarah lives with her family on the edge of the bush. One night her grandmother Nan, tells her the story of the woordatj, a mysterious creature who lives in the bush and is seldom seen but always watching. His role, says Nan, is to make sure children listen to their elders. If not, he comes and takes them away. Sarah is thrilled by the story and apprehensive next day when she learns a trip to the waterhole is planned. What if the woordatj finds them? Nan reassures her that he only comes after sundown. They spend the day in the bush and learning more of the ways to respect and enjoy it. ‘Barlay!’ means ‘Look out!’ Barlay! is a brightly coloured paperback chapter book with black and white illustrations throughout.

Sarah listens closely to her grandmother’s stories. The story is intended to instil caution and respect for the bush and to keep her and her family safe. But Nan is no fierce finger-wagging killjoy. She has a lively sense of humour and a deep knowledge. A family outing is an opportunity for plenty of fun as well as a learning time for the children. Sarah appears to have a special connection with Nan, and it’s easy to imagine that she will remember these stories and pass them in her turn to her children. This is the way of story. Barlay! and other stories in the Fremantle Press’s Waarda series are created by indigenous writers and illustrators in part to bring their stories to indigenous children, but they are magical stories for all. Chapters are short and perfect for readers in transition from picture books to novels.

Barlay!, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker
Fremantle Press 2010
ISBN: 9781921696114

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Magic Fair, by Sally Morgan

Kayla felt excited when she woke up.
The Magic Fair was in town! She had heard so many wonderful stories about the Fair. She could hardly believe she was finally going to see it for herself.
When Kayla arrived at the Fair with Uncle Mike and her cousin Peter, she was more excited than ever. But when she saw the sign hanging over the entrance gate, she shivered.

Kayla is going to the Magic Fair with her Uncle Mike and cousin Peter. She’s excited but not quite sure what to expect, particularly when the entrance sign advises caution. Peter pays no attention and when Uncle Mike leaves them to do their own thing, Peter takes off leaving Kayla behind. On her own, Kayla discovers all sorts of magical surprises throughout the Fair as she tries to find her naughty cousin. The Magic Fair gives Kayla a chance to have some fun and Peter a chance to atone for his bullying. Black and white illustrations appear on almost every opening.

The Magic Fair is a new title in Fremantle Press’s Waarda series for newly independent readers. They are small paperbacks with rich stories featuring indigenous families. Some are traditional stories while others, like The Magic Fair, are more contemporary. The message here is clear that bullies need to learn that their actions will have consequences. Kayla is cross with her cousin but rather than just be angry, she follows him to try to take him to account. She is helped in this by magical elements of the Fair. The Fair becomes almost like another character, guiding and helping her to find Peter. Sally Morgan also edits the Waarda Series. The final pages tell a little of her own story and why she wrote The Magic Fair . Recommended for readers ready to transition to short chapter books.

The Magic Fair , Sally Morgan
Fremantle Press 2010
ISBN:9781921696121

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

The Great Cold, by Gladys Milroy

The Great Cold is coming,’ said Magpie as Crow shivered in her nest. ‘You must leave before it it’s too late.’
‘I know,’ Crow said fearfully, ‘but I can’t leave, I have an egg to look after.’
‘Then you and your baby will freeze,’ said Magpie sadly, and with a flap of his wings he left his friend and flew away.

Moon and Sun are fighting over their position in the sky and the earth is in danger of experiencing a cold so intense it will kill everything on earth. Magpie is torn. She knows there is a good chance she will perish if she doesn’t seek shelter with the other animals. But she can’t abandon her nest, because she sitting on her egg. She is the last of the animals, the others all taking shelter deep in a cave that will be sealed to keep the cold out. She carries her nest with her and makes the difficult journey to the cave. Goanna helps her, but there is a cost.

The Great Cold is a new story but it has the feel of an ancient one. It is mystical and yet seems real. The characters are concerned with survival and earthly things, but there is exploration of the nature of collaboration, friendship and trust. The Great Cold is an early chapter book for newly-confident readers. It is part of a new series, ‘Waarda’ from Fremantle Press designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school. Each title is written by an Indigenous author. Cover design and internal black and white images show the Indigenous influence too. But this, and other title in the series, will be enjoyed by a wide range of new readers. It’s just a great story. Recommended for newly-independent readers.

The Great Cold, Gladys Milroy
Fremantle Press 2009
ISBN: 9781921361586

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

Bush Secrets, by Tjalaminu and Jessica Lister

I’ve got a secret and I’m so excited!
Actually, I’ve got two secrets and that makes me feel really happy inside.
‘What are you grinning at, Debbie?’ my brother Billy asks.
‘Nothing.’ I don’t want him guessing my secrets.
‘You’ve got a secret, haven’t you?’
‘No I haven’t.’
‘Yes you have! I can tell! What is it, Debbie?’
‘I’m not telling you, Billy!’

Debbie is excited that she has two secrets but she doesn’t want to tell her younger brother Billy, because he’s too young to understand how important secrets can be. When Dada Keen comes to visit, he understands. He and Debbie go into the bush for a day, and he shares secrets of his own. There are black and white illustrations scattered throughout. The cover is bright and enticing and suggests but doesn’t reveal the secrets.

Bush Secrets is a title in a new series from Fremantle Press. They are early chapter books written by indigenous writers bringing new stories to all. For indigenous people they are stories that continue a long history of oral storytelling. For non indigenous people these stories provide access to a rich storytelling practice. Bush Secrets is a marriage of traditional style and modern stories. It is written by grandmother and granddaughter team, Tjalaminu Mia and Jessica Lister, giving new interpretation to the storysharing tradition. Chapters are short and accessible to the newly independent reader. Recommended for 6-8 year olds.

Bush Secrets, Tjalaminu and Jessica Lister
Fremantle Press 2009
ISBN: 9781921361593

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com