1. Aboriginal Australians
2. Animals
3. Bushfires
4. Climate
5. Country
6. Environment
7. Environmental degradation
8. Environmental education
9. Fire
10. First Nations people
11. Indigenous knowledge
12. Intercultural communication
13. Land management

‘Looking After Country with Fire’ is a picture book which takes the reader on a journey into the bush with Uncle Kuu to learn about how to look after the land with fire. Young readers will learn about using cool fire to regerminate the land, and the way in which First Nations people have, for thousands of years, used fire to help manage the land.

The story gently illuminates the importance of listening to Country and living in harmony with nature, through a beautifully constructed narrative and visually appealing artwork. The use of colour on each page is significant, with bright greens and bursts of yellow used to represent regeneration, growth and healing. A darker colour palette is used at times to demonstrate the devastation of uncontrolled wildfires.

This powerful and compelling picture book could be used in the classroom to initiate conversation around themes of respect for Country and each other, how to care for Country with cultural burning, identifying Australian flora and fauna, and the importance of listening to and respecting First Nations knowledge.

Included at the back of the book are lyrics and the musical score for Victor Steffensen’s song, ‘Looking After Country with Fire.’

Victor Steffenson is a descendant of the Tagalaka people from the Gulf Country of North Queensland. Sandra Steffensen’s maternal grandmother is from the Tagalaka people from the Gulf Country of North Queensland.

1. Torres Webb & Kathryn Meldrum. Hardie Grant Publishing. ‘Teaching Notes: Looking After Country with Fire.’ Available as a pdf on the publisher’s website about this book. https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/looking-after-country-with-fire-by-victor-steffensen/9781741177824
2. Community Education Site. ‘The Living Knowledge Place.’ http://www.livingknowledgeplace.com.au/
3. Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation. ‘Firesticks: cultural burning: healthy communities, healthy landscapes.’ http://www.firesticks.org.au/
4. Victor Steffensen. Common Ground. ‘Looking After Country With Fire.’ https://www.commonground.org.au/learn/looking-after-country-with-fire
5. Merrilee Mcnaught. YouTube. First Nations Stories and Songs. 13 Feb 2022. ‘Looking After Country with Fire by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh67mrTLIgY
6. Kendi and Petero Civoniceva. YouTube. 30 June 2022. ‘Deadly Kindies Playgroup – Looking After Country with Fire.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5PYTQhK_hk
7. Better Reading Kids. Facebook. 2022. ‘Victor Steffensen LIVE Book Event.’ Victor Steffensen talks about his views on engaging young people with knowledge about Country and culture in an enjoyable book format, also answers questions, approximately 30 minutes. https://www.facebook.com/betterreadingkids/videos/victor-steffensen-live-book-event/461626042154303/