‘Kami’s Country’ resembles the seven other books in this series. Each is in verse with a repeated refrain and based on a song. The landscape shape of these books is perfectly chosen. The text features on the left, here set against a black background, opposite intricately detailed illustrations of an adult and three children walking together. Amunda Gorey’s illustrations feature ‘Kami’, which is the word for 'grandmother' in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages. She is accompanied by three children in her care. We are told that Kami and the three children are Pitjantjatjara. Kami is the wise adult there to guide and inform the three young children in her care. She leads them through the landscape and gathers them around the campfire to share their people’s history. They in turn enjoy learning about their Country: ‘Let's go walking with Kami way out bush in Pitjantjara Country and feel the desert all around us. Let's pick the earth up with our fingers and feel the dirt between our toes.’
Wendy Notley is a non-Aboriginal early childhood trained teacher who has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. She is the creator of the Aunty Wendy’s Mob resources—song and stories that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Her website states that great care has been taken to follow protocols regarding the inclusion of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the development of these resources. Amunda Gorey is an Arrernte artist and cultural consultant.
Series title: ‘Growing Up Strong’ and Happy to be me’ is the collective series title for eight picture books, two teacher resource books and digital audio material. The texts in the book series are adaptations of songs on the ‘Happy to be me’ CD.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
