The coming of rain to parched country is a welcome event in many parts of Australia. The hard brown earth softens, plants develop new shoots or emerge from the softened earth creating a carpet of wildflower colour. Waterholes and creeks fill and the countryside is renewed.
Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr celebrate and give thanks for the arrival of rain in ‘Thank you rain! The text is simple yet full of rich onomatopoetic words that provide a sensory element as the rain goes ‘splish splosh’ and ‘plink -plonk.’
The striking artwork using the traditional Arnhem Land cross-hatching (rarrk) work and strong colour use that morph from browns and greys to vivid greens as the rain brings the country back to life. Birds sing and animals appear at water sources. As the rain eases a rainbow in traditional ochre tones appears. The last double page spread shows kangaroos, brolgas and a First Nations man all dancing for joy in thanks and celebration at the arrival of the rain.
Sally Morgan is one of Australia’s most best-known First Nations creators. She belongs to the Palyku people from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr is a Yolŋu man from the Ganalbingu clan in East Arnhem Land. He is the winner of Magabala Books’ inaugural Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award.
‘Thank you rain! is the third book that Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr have created together. The other titles are ‘Little Bird’s Day’ (2019) and ‘The River’ (2021)
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
