As some of you may know we are a little addicted to books in our household. I have read to Boston from before he came earth side and this special activity just keeps growing in importance. Our little man is a tornado of energy, he rarely sits still and attention is easily and happily diverted at each turning moment. But BOOKS, he loves books. They hold his attention like nothing else. Through the stories he loves most he has developed different passions, the connections drive him to explore through music, art and discovery. I feel like so much of his learning has stemmed from the books we have read.
So in celebration of this fact I am starting a new section of the blog which shares some of the cherished books that come through our home. The first post features two books that share a slice of Australian Indigenous culture. It is my belief that as a nation we have very much lost connection with the amazing culture of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. One of my goals as a parent is to explore this and hopefully give our children a sense of understanding and connection with Indigenous Australia both past and present. Interestingly enough Boston has been drawn to stories that share exactly that, HOORAY!
The Lost Girl by Ambelin Kwaymullina illustrated by Leanne Tobin.
This gem of a book is packed full of beautiful bright illustrations, with gorgeous depth of colour. It tells the story of a young girl who has wandered away from her family but finds all she needs in the natural world. It is one of those books that has me choking back tears “How could I be frightened? I was with my mother.”
It celebrates that beautiful knowledge, connection and respect that Indigenous Australian’s have with mother nature. A connection that has been lost to so many in the developed world and has seen the destruction of so much natural heritage.
You and Me, Murrawee by Kerri Hashmi and illustrated by Felicity Marshall
Another visually gorgeous book. The detail, and the emphasis on shadow and light made me fall in love with every single page. It tells the story of two girls exploring the same river bank only they live 200 years apart.
“We walk the same brown earth, you and me, Murrawee” …and I am crying again (surely it’s the pregnancy hormones?!) This beautiful story connects the lives of two seemingly different children, yet they share a fascination for the same place. For me it highlights how connected we all are even though our cultures differ we still walk the same earth, breath the same air. What a fabulous and valuable lesson to pass onto our children.
We borrowed both these beautiful books from Gold Coast Library.
nella inspired 