An Aboriginal elder reminisces about childhood camping trips with her family to the Murchison River in Geraldton, Western Australia. Her flashes of memory are evocatively shared as she recalls the vivid colour of the wildflowers, the sensation of the ‘slimy, squishy’ river mud between her toes, and the eerie sounds of nocturnal animals. Although the elderly woman admits that the memories don’t come as often now, she joyfully celebrates the precious memories that she does have. The story leaves us with an important reminder that it is time spent with loved ones that stay with us as we grow older, and it is in the re-telling of these stories that we keep memories and traditions alive. Through the warm earthy tones of the pastel painted illustrations, young readers are offered a glimpse of the beauty of the region. Viewers will delight in the bright colours of the wildflowers 'sprinkled across the country.' The story invites discussion about the importance of storytelling in Australian Indigenous culture and may inspire the telling and re-telling of stories within a class or home setting. The author, Joanne Crawford, is descended from the Nhunda people of the Geraldton area of WA.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
