This nonfiction picture book portrays the beautiful friendship of two young boys of around nine years of age who live in Broome, a small town in the far north of Western Australia. Jack is an Aboriginal boy and Raf is a non-Indigenous boy. Together they engage in a range of fun activities.
Through their various pursuits, the children are seen to gain experience of each other’s lives and cultures. They go hunting for barni (goanna) with Jack’s uncle and look for feathers and seeds to show Jack’s nan. They pretend Raf’s quad bike is a spaceship and splash in his pool. The simple text and warm illustrations show the strong bond they have formed, based on their shared interests, mutual respect and understanding.
The book also introduces readers to the Kimberley region, with insights into the seasons and different settings, including the ocean, bush and local markets.
It is not until the final illustration that readers see that Raf is in a wheelchair. The end pages include photos of the boys and their families, author and illustrator biographical profiles, a request to readers from Raf’s mother to focus on what children in a wheelchair can do rather than what they cannot, along with information about spina bifida.
‘Two Mates’ was written by Melanie Prewett and illustrated by Maggie Prewett, her mother. They are descended from the Ngarluma people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Melanie is Jack’s mother.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
