Darruyay yilaaming marraala, buwaarr: Welcome to the world, little baby by Melissa Greenwood

A strongly bound hard back book which encourages young families to record their baby’s progress is told within the framework of Melissa’s First Nation heritage. Written and illustrated by Gumbaynggir artist, Melissa Greenwood, author of several books which warm the heart, My little sunshine and Hello ocean, to name a few. Each uses her beautiful paintings showcasing her adept use of Aboriginal motifs combined with a modern perspective and swathes of soft pastel colours. Each page is framed with dots, circles, and lines using wonderfully soft colours, to create a warm environment in which to place memories of the new baby’s development.

Starting with a poem welcoming the new child’s arrival, a page is left for the first scan, while over the page details of the child’s birth and first photos. Then on to stages of development as the child grows, which are offered with spaces for information and photos. This will make a delightful compendium of a baby’s development and the memories of the family as the child grows. This will make a truly memorable book within the family, to share, ponder, compare and marvel. Lots of pages are included to add all sorts of things: first words, first steps, a list of the first times for many mothers, things such as first sleep through the night (hallelujah), first laugh, first roll over and first hair cut to name a few.

The last page welcomes special memories for the family, ending off a charming book of reminiscences to share.

Themes: Memory, Reminiscences, Aboriginal art, Babies, Development.

Fran Knight