‘Where is the Green Sheep?’ is a much-loved picture book with its repetitive refrain, ‘But where is the green sheep’, that many parents have shared with their young children. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation have now published the book in two First Nations languages, Kriol and Pitjantjatjarra. Seeing and hearing books in your First language is important. It strengthens identity, pride, culture and connection to Community and Country. Having published books in language shows that the language is acknowledged, important and worth maintaining.
This engaging story about the search for the green sheep is told in a series of sheep rhymes and fun repetition. Along the way children are introduced to various concepts, shapes and colours. There is a red sheep and a blue sheep, car sheep and train sheep, we see up and down, near and far, scared and brave sheep. The book features four ideas that children love, an entertaining mystery, rhyme, repetition and gentle rhythm, and colourful interesting illustrations. There is a satisfying and calming outcome that creates a sense of family togetherness with the words ‘Here’s our green sheep fast asleep’.
‘Where is the Green Sheep?’ is one of several well-known early childhood picture books being published in various First Nations languages. Currently there are two languages available, Kriol translated by Simone Baker and Josie Lardy and Pitjantjatjarra translated by Natalie O’Toole ‘Where is the Green Sheep?’ won the 2005 The Children’s Book Council of Australia - Book of the Year-Early Childhood.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
