1. Astronomy
2. Culture
3. Family
4. Grandfathers
5. Moon
6. Night
7. Stories and motifs
8. Storytelling
9. Wadyiginy people (N31) (NT SD53-03)

Maree McCarthy Yoelu shares this very appealing story belonging to her Grandfather Liman Harry Morgan, a respected Wadijigany man from the Daly River area in the Northern Territory. The text is spare with beautifully shaped phrasing that draws listeners close and snares their interest. Great-great Grandpa lives alone by the sea and is visited by his great-grandson. No lights. Just stars and the moon. Cross-legged by the fire, the two share a story of Great-great Grandpa’s brother with whom he lives and hunts. This brother is wise, never grows old and stops by in the evenings. He is a protector who fends off fears in the darkness and shines light on dangerous crocodiles in the water. He can be ‘big and bold’ and even when only half there, he is a comforting companion.

The story is revealed in mesmerising descriptions of this ‘brother’. Who is he? A striking double page spread shows the moon in its phases passing through the sky. Brother is the moon! Suitably dark illustrations produce a sleepy-time look with the artwork in pencil on coloured paper. With its soothing words and slowly building climax, this is a story to read aloud and enjoy again and again.

Maree McCarthy Yoelu is a Wadjigany woman, from the western Wagait region in the NT. Samantha Fry grew up in the Northern Territory. She is descended from the Dagiman people from Katherine and as a child lived in remote communities across the Top End.

1. Meet The Illustrator: Samantha Fry http://www.kids-bookreview.com/search?q=samantha+fry
2. Aboriginal astronomy can teach us about the link between sky and land by Kirsten Banks https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/21/aboriginal-astronomy-can-teach-us-about-the-link-between-sky-and-land
3. Aboriginal astronomy the star of Dreamtime stories. ABC Radio Sydney https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-05/aboriginal-astronomy-basis-of-dreamtime-stories-stargazing/8413492
4. Magabala Books Teaching Notes written by Christina Wheeler for 'Brother Moon' https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0092/5043/9268/files/Brother_Moon_Teacher_Notes.pdf?v=1598254378