This is an unforgettable story of inclusion, tolerance, respect for land and culture. Trace Balla, the creator, holds a unique place in graphic novel storytelling style and techniques. These are the perfect medium for this story set on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Young Miri shares her personal story of moving with her Mum to the Victorian Goldfields. She experiences some trepidation because this will mean a new home, new friends and a new school. Soon Miri’s curiosity prods her to explore her new environment. The detailed multi-frames across the landscape book format offer fascinating and detailed information about animals, plants, birds, the seasons and the environment. These invite the reader to linger, discover and share fascinating information with others.
Every creature is of great interest to Miri, who observes and names those in her new surroundings for the curious reader. Along the way Miri meets friendly and culturally diverse adult neighbours and children thus adding to her growing comfort with her new environment. She begins a journal, drawing and labelling what she sees. She researches anything unfamiliar at her local library.
Appealing features include child-friendly jokes, sounds made by different creatures, and children’s conversations about what they are observing. Days and months pass. The environment changes. Cultures come together and share different perspectives while bonding as a community. The satisfying conclusion features the children trekking up the mountain, passing labelled landmarks along the way then experiencing a Welcome to Country.
The endpapers are a bonus. The opening endpapers feature various Australian birds and animals along with both English and Dja Dja Wurrung language, while the closing endpapers feature Balla's creative process and inspiration for this story. The author's note explains that she received guidance for the Aboriginal cultural content throughout the story.
For readers who enjoy her storytelling style, these also appear in 'Rivertime' (Winner: Readings Prize and Wilderness Society Environment Award, 2015) and 'Rockhopping'' (Winner: CBCA Younger Readers Awards, 2017).
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
