1. Adventure stories
2. Animals
3. Art techniques
4. Climate
5. Country
6. Ecology
7. Endpapers
8. Environment
9. Families
10. Fathers
11. Indigenous knowledge
12. Indigenous languages
13. Nature
14. Plants
15. Rain and rainfall
16. Rivers and creeks
17. Storms
18. Water

A family living on Noongar country in Western Australia head off to spend time in the bush where they will look (djinang), listen (ni), feel (goordoo) and hear earth speak (boodjar wangkiny). The father encourages the children to take notice of their natural surroundings and observe how the land was created and shaped by the wind (marr), water (kep) and fire (karla). The children do look, listen, feel and appreciate the importance and wonder of Boodjar, the Earth, and her heartbeat.

The book’s intent is to encourage people to stop and pay attention to the wonders of our natural environment, to look, listen and feel the earth around us. Australia is blessed with amazing natural wonders, our beaches, our bushlands, waterways, and deserts but we neglect to look, listen, and feel the earth around us, to absorb the beauty and peace that the natural world provides.

The artwork is mixed media and digital and reflects the colours, plants and animals that can be found in the Australian bush. The endpapers are particularly striking with their digitally enhanced natural images of leaves and bark which is a contrast to the slightly animated style of the illustrations.

The book includes a QR code that provides a reading of the book. There is also a glossary of the eight Noongar words used in the story.

Sean McCann is from Gadigal Country in NSW. He currently lives and works on Noongar lands in Perth. The author was granted permission by the Noongar Boodjar Language, Cultural Aboriginal Corporation to use the Noongar language words in the book. Illustrator Jade Goodwin is a Gamilaroi woman.

1. Allen & Unwin Teachers’ Tips. ‘Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin. Includes links to teaching resources and activities https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Earthspeak-9781761181238
2. Good Reading Magazine July 2025. Review of ‘Earth Speak’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin https://goodreadingmagazine.com.au/latest-reviews/earth-speak-by-sean-mccann-illustrated-by-jade-goodwin/
3. Queensland Reviews Collective. Wendy Lipke reviews ‘Earth Speak’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2025/06/03/earth-speak-by-sean-mccann/
4. ReadPlus 4 June 2025. Fran Knight reviews ‘Earth Speak’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/earthspeak
5. Kid Lit Joy. Video review of ‘Earth Speak’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k4rFggiv4o
6. Just So Stories 1 June 2025. Sue Warren reviews ‘Earth Speak’ by Sean McCann and Jade Goodwin https://losangzopa.blog/2025/06/01/earth-speak-sean-mccann-illustrated-by-jade-goodwin/