‘Miimi Marraal : Mother Earth’ is Melissa Greenwood’s first picture book. She explains In a foreword that as a young person she was taught that ‘we are all caretakers of the earth and must respect the land and look after it’. That invitation permeates this story featuring the mother’s lyrical words spoken to her baby. These are amplified by the artworks’ soft cream, peach, rose, gold and green colours in design-filled pages. The embossed title on the jacket cover, pastel endpaper designs and inside artwork gently lull readers and viewers to share these intimate moments between mother and child. Using rhythm and rhyme the mother reveals the beauty of the earth, its nurturing care and people’s responsibility to care for the earth and take only what is needed. There is a sense of intimacy as the mother invites her baby to be at one with the earth, to feel protected and inspired to care for it.
The artwork features both Aboriginal and contemporary designs in pastel hues which invite fingers to touch and eyes to explore the brush strokes and designs that flow across double page spreads. These offer peach-pink hues, blues and wine, all on an underlying textured page. Surprising changes in colours from light shades to deep shades match beautifully with the warm words of comfort, sharing and support. The mother’s words reveal and invite a deep connection to the land, sea and all creatures that share their lives there. The mother explains that Miimi Marraal has created all that they see, and all must work together to care for each other. In only a few short phrases, the mother imparts wisdom about family and country and the need to take responsibility for the earth and all that live there.
‘Miimi Marraal : Mother Earth’, the author’s first picture book, received several award nominations, including the following:
Shortlisted – The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature — Karajia Award
Shortlisted – Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year 2022 (Birth to 3 Years)
Shortlisted – Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year 2022 (Indigenous Children)
Shortlisted - ABIA Children's Picture Book of the Year 2023 (ages 0-6)
Melissa Greenwood was born on Gumbaynaggirr jagun (country) in Coffs Harbour. She was raised by people from the Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Nations, both her ancestral homelands. On Melissa’s matriarchal side, she is a Gumbaynggirr custodian with strong ties to Bundjalung and Dunghutti. Her mother’s side has English and Welsh heritage.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
