‘Gurril, Storm Bird’ is based on a Gimuy Walubara Yidinji traditional story that explains cultural beliefs of the Yidinji First Nations People of Cairns. The story involves a foolhardy young boy transformed into a black cockatoo that signals when the rain will come.
Gurril and the other boys loved listening to stories about Gudju-gudju, the rainbow serpent. Young Gurril rejects the others’ fear of a mere snake. He sets out for the cave where the rainbow serpent lives. He throws a stone towards the cave and challenges the rainbow serpent: ‘ Let’s see how big you really are!’ Nothing happens. When Gurril throws another stone into the cave, ‘the ground shook and stones moved beneath his feet.’ A huge serpent appears, striking in its magnificent colours and patterns. Gurril is stunned by the rainbow serpent’s size but is undeterred in his determination to outsmart the rainbow serpent. Gurril paints himself black, climbs a tree and throws a stone into the cave, yelling, ‘Wake up!’ The rainbow serpent emerges and bellows, ‘Who dares to wake me?’ Gurril throws another stone which hits the rainbow serpent on the head. Gudju-gudju is very angry and at that moment, rain pours down. The black paint washes off Gurril and the trees become too slippery to hold him. The rainbow serpent laughs and declares that from now on, Gurril is transformed into a ‘storm bird’ and whenever his name is called, rain will follow.
Jingalu’s captivating jacket cover for ‘Gurril, Storm Bird’ features a flying bird silhouetted against a dark blue starlit night enhanced by the striking silver debossed title. The bold illustrations offer contrasting colour palettes throughout. The deep dark blues, earthy browns, and lush greens are striking. These contrast with the serpent’s brilliant rainbow colours. Dick Roughsey (Goobalathaldin) (1920-1985), Aboriginal author and illustrator, created the picture book classic ‘The Rainbow Serpent’ (1974) which might make a useful comparison with ‘Gurril, Storm Bird’.
The CBCA judges chose ‘Gurril, Storm Bird’ as a CBCA Notable book in the Book of the Year Early Childhood category. They commented that Jingalu’s art ‘floods every page with vivid, saturated colours on double page full bleed spreads, with white used sparingly and only for highlights and text.’
Jingalu is a Bagawa woman from Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl Country. This is her first children’s book. Author Trevor Fourmile is from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people from northern Queensland. He aims to teach the younger generation through traditional dancing, storytelling, painting and writing children’s books. Short biographical profiles of both author and illustrator are included in the book.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
