It was ‘cold weather time’ and the ‘old fella’ told his family they are going camping. They packed up the car and drove till they came to the old fella’s favourite spot where they set up camp. After they made a fire, the old fella sat under an old gumtree and waited for the moon to rise. As it rose, he began to sing, and they gathered around to listen. As the moon rose it began to shine through the trees, onto the family and onto the surrounding country. As it shone down the family slept peacefully under the light of the moon and stars.
Author and illustrator Marshia Cook explains that the story is about a favourite camping spot where her family used to go every winter when they were small. It has a large old gumtree where they sat telling stories while the moon rose. It is a memory that speaks both to the connection to family and to Country.
The story is in both Kimberley Kriol, appearing first, and English. Marshia Cook believes writing the story in Kriol helps children understand what the story is about and how language is important when telling stories with Elders to the children. It keeps language and Culture strong.
The illustrations on black paper are striking providing a strong impression of the beauty and clarity of the Kimberley night sky with a vivid pearly moon shining through. As part of the book’s design, digital photographs of the original moon illustrations were superimposed to ensure the light seen in the originals was captured in the final published version.
Walmajarrri woman Marshia Cook created the book assisted by Tamua Nuggett in a workshop offered by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) in Fitzroy Crossing facilitated by ILF ambassador Alison Lester, children’s author Jane Godwin and designer Lee Burgemeestre.
On the back cover is a QR code which enables the reader to listen to a reading of the story.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
