1. Animals
2. Bilingual books
3. Central Australia (N.T.)
4. Desert
5. Desert animals
6. Helpfulness
7. Kindness
8. Persistence
9. Resilience
10. Water

‘Athakwere Akweke Angkethakwe : The Thirsty Little Mouse’ is a story from Central Australia, Arrernte Country. Written in both Arrernte and English, it tells a story that author, Lorrayne Gorey was told by Aunty MK when she was small.

A little mouse was really thirsty and needed water. He seeks out a number of different bush animals including a goanna, an emu, a pigeon, but none could help. The little mouse was getting desperate when he found frog who was able to provide the little mouse with ‘a big drink of water’.

This is a simple appealing tale to share with young children. Its use of repetitive text and engaging illustrations particularly the plaintive images of the mouse asking for help and the later happier images of the mouse after help is received are interesting discussion points.

We all need help at times and sometimes find it difficult to ask for it. This tale demonstrates the difference made when help is freely and kindly given to those in need.

Another discussion point is the mouse referred to as ‘he’ throughout the story but the final image of the mouse on the inside back cover may be at odds with this.

This book was created by Arrernte woman Lorrayne Gorey as part of the Children’s Ground- Central Australia project . The project called Anwerne Ingkerrele Mpwareke: By Us, For Us promotes emerging First Nations authors and assists in developing their first language literacy and translating skills. Lorey Gorey is also an accomplished painter.

Arrernte woman Amanda Turner has illustrated a number of Children’s Ground book. Her sensitive artwork adds an emotional depth to the book.

1. Eltham South Preschool Sam Tesky reads ‘Athakwere Akweke Angkethakwe : The Thirsty Little Mouse.’ https://www.facebook.com/ElthamSouthPreschool/posts/4437813536284625/?_rdr
2. Eastern and Central Arrernte Learners’ List includes the sounds of words https://arrernte-angkentye.online/ecall/
3. Australian Women’s Weekly/Children’s Ground. ‘School of the Desert (Closing the Gap)’ https://childrensground.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AWW-Childrens-Ground.pdf
4. Children’s Ground – Anwere Ingkerrekele Mpwareke: By Us, For Us, https://childrensground.org.au/anwerne-ingkerrekele-mpwareke/
5. Children’s Ground https://childrensground.org.au/