This delightful picture book engages its young readers from the first page through its use of bright colours and questions directed at the reader to invite audience participation. The fun fast-paced story reflects daily life in a remote Indigenous community, through the escapades of some playful pesky dogs!
Energy and colour bursts off each page of this book. The vibrant illustrations will appeal to the young child, as will the use of repetition and rhyming in the text. Young children will enjoy exploring the detailed illustrations and counting the cheeky dogs as they frolic through the pages.
This is a book which, through its seamlessly integrated text and illustrations, encourages learning – including counting up to ten, and identifying colours and days of the week.
This book may instigate conversation or learning about Indigenous culture, life in remote outback communities, and Australian wildlife. Children living in remote communities will enjoy observing familiar places and animals in this picture book. It is important that all children have a chance to see themselves reflected in what they are reading, as much as it is for children to be exposed to new places and ideas. This picture book is also available in a Kriol, a language from the north of Australia. The title in Kriol is Bigismob Jigiwan Dog. The Pitjantjatjara language edition, ‘Papa Mawal-Mawalpa Tjuta, was published in 2021 by Allen & Unwin publisher.
Artist Dion Beasley is an Alywarr man who lives in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. His father's country is Owairtilla, also known as Canteen Creek, and his mother's country is Alpurrurulam, also known as Lake Nash.
Sequel: Go Home, Cheeky Animals!
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
