This 24-page picture book describes a joyful day by the ocean on Gumbaynggir country on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
Narrated in the first person (we) in a child’s voice, the book opens with a beautiful welcome to the day and an illustration of a bright yellow sun that fills the page. Although not explicitly stated or illustrated, we learn through the story that this is a family group of adults and children. Their day at the ocean is full of adventure, togetherness, and the pleasures of nature. They gather bush fruits and pipis, see whales and dolphins; they build a fire and a shelter from the sun. They round off the day by eating pipi stew prepared by Nan, Mum and Aunt before heading home.
There is a deep sense of respect for – and connection with – the land and ocean in this book that goes beyond the simple activities of the group. At the outset, they give thanks to the land before walking on Country and promise to take care of her. Later, the narrator refers to the whales and dolphins as ‘our totems’, and Nan shares her wisdom when she warns the group about swimming at feeding time.
The contemporary Aboriginal artwork in acrylics is a visual feast of swirls, shapes and intricate dots. Each double spread is filled with the colours of land and sea and the creatures that live there. The language is simple with four short lines on every page, some of which rhyme. Gumbaynggir words, like gaagal (ocean), yamaarr (fish) and yanggaay (sharks), are scattered throughout with the English equivalent directly in the text. A full Gumbaynggir translation of the story is provided in the back matter with the English presented alongside it.
The author/illustrator Melissa Greenwood is a Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Dunghutti woman, who lives and works on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Her father’s side has English and Welsh heritage. As well as writing and illustrating, Melissa runs Miimi & Jinda, an Indigenous art and design brand, with her mother. Her picture book ‘Giinagay Gaagal, Hello Ocean’ was inspired by growing up on Country and the adventures she had with family.
Other similar titles by Melissa Greenwood include ‘Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth’ and ‘My Little Barlaagany’ (Sunshine).
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
