‘My Little Barlaagany Sunshine’ is a rhythmic lullaby featuring soothing and poetic bedtime word images. Here mother points out animals, waterholes and bush food to her youngster as they farewell the sun (Barlaagany) and welcome the moon (Giidany) in their travel through the day and into the night. The sleep-inducing words are reflected in the acrylic illustrations in softly coloured pastel abstract designs on canvas. The relaxing and mesmerising soft colours of yellow, pink, gold, blue and green blend together in abstract patterns devoid of humans, animals or distinct landscapes. Words in the Gumbaynggirr language feature alongside selected English words. From these words and abstract images emerges a sense of mother and child together, both mesmerised by their surroundings. At the back of the book the Gumbaynggirr translation appears on the left opposite the English language version for ‘My Little Sunshine’.
Melissa Greenwood was born on Gumbaynaggirr jagun country in Coffs Harbour. She was raised by people from the Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Nations, both her ancestral homelands. On Melissa’s matriarchal side, she is a Gumbaynggirr custodian with strong ties to Bundjalung and Dunghutti. Her mother’s side has English and Welsh heritage.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
