This 32-page picture book is a mother’s loving ode to her young child.
Written in the first person, the mother narrator tells her (gender-neutral) child about her love for them. Her love is ‘bigger than a whale’ and ‘fierce like a lion’. It is also tender and constant, starting before the child is born and supporting them as they learn and grow more independent.
The language is simple with minimal text in large print on the page or spread. Some words, including adjectives (bigger, taller) and verbs (learn, try, grow) are emphasized in a larger font. This reinforces key words in the story and may help promote letter and word recognition for young children. One spread has more advanced use of language with ‘watchful birds’ and ‘sighing trees.’ The flow throughout is beautifully lyrical and smooth despite the varying line lengths. Some stanzas rhyme and there are also examples of internal rhyme.
The digitally created illustrations take a minimalist approach: characters, animals, scenery and objects are depicted with simple shapes, basic outlines and a limited colour palette. All have a soft and gentle appeal; even the ‘fierce’ lion is unlikely to frighten a young reader. Most spreads depict mother and child together against a plain white background; sometimes they are shown in their entirety, sometimes not. One image shows only the child’s legs and feet in mismatched footwear. The illustrations often add an extra layer of meaning to the text. The illustrator draws on Aboriginal culture for the line ‘I love you when you learn’: mother and child are both shown holding clapsticks. While ‘I love who will you become’, shows the young child toddling towards their mother.
This deceptively simple picture book is a beautiful way for a mother to declare their unconditional love for their child. It is also a great resource for exploring words and discussing illustrations with a young reader.
Both mother and child have brown skin and brown eyes.
Lisa Fuller is Wuilli Wuilli woman from Eidsvold, Queensland. She is also descended from the Wakka Wakka and Gooreng Gooreng nations. She is a multi-award-winning author, who is passionate about culturally appropriate writing and publishing. Samantha Fuller is a descendant of the Dagoman people from Katherine. As a child, she lived in remote communities across the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Magabala Books is Australia’s leading Indigenous publishing house.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
