Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
Title
I am Me
Author
Mitch Tambo
Illustrators
Carla Hoffenberg
Publisher, Date
Allen & Unwin, 2025
Audience
3-4yrs, 5-8yrs, Lower Primary, Primary
ISBN
9781761182204
Language
English
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Subjects
- Art techniques
- Astronomy
- Celebrations
- Cultural diversity
- Dance
- Endpapers
- Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi people (D23) (NSW SH55-12)
- Identity
- Indigenous knowledge
- Intercultural communication
- Music
- Respect
- Singing
- Social life and customs
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Annotation
Author, Mitch Tambo is a Gamilararaay, Biripi and Worimi man who was raised in the Gamilaraay culture. In ‘I am Me’ he reaches out to share his culture and identity with young Australians many of whom may identify with other cultures.
In explaining his own Culture readers will learn the various Gamilaraay words for singing (Yugal), dancing (Yulu-gi) and the various elements of the headdress he wears when performing. A red-tailed black cockatoo feather(Bilirr) and some emu (Dhinawan) feathers held together with fire ash and wax from native honeybees held against ochre painted on his forehead. The text is interactive with the reader asking questions and sharing information about himself.
The vivid illustrations were hand-drawn using Procreate and are predominately purples and pink and full of movement and energy. The endpapers reflect these colours and the slashes of colour also provide a sense of movement and energy.
Mitch Tambo is a proud Gamilaraay man and one of Australia's most unique and electrifying First Nations entertainers. Mitch rose to fame when he performed his spine-tingling Gamilaraay version of the John Farnham classic 'You're the Voice' on the finale of Australia's Got Talent.
Carla Hoffenberg is a Sydney-based children's book author and illustrator known for her bright, joyful, and engaging artwork.
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Teaching Resources
- Allen & Unwin. ‘I am Me’ by Mitch Tambo includes links to teaching resources https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Mitch-Tambo,-illustrated-by-Carla-Hoffenberg-I-Am-Me-9781761182204
- National Indigenous Times 9 May 2025. ‘Mitch Tambo brings message of resilience to students across Australia https://nit.com.au/09-05-2025/17813/mitch-tambo-brings-message-of-resilience-to-students-across-australia
- Kid Lit Joy. Review of ‘I am Me’ by Mitch Tambo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XIJJVOf55k
- Queensland Reviewers Collective Wendt Lipke reviews ‘I am Me’ by Mitch Tambo https://www.queenslandreviewerscollective.com/2025/09/02/i-am-me-by-mitch-tambo/