Jimmy and Pat meet the Queen by Pat Lowe. Illus. by Jimmy Pike

This small picture book is a factual fiction story about Native Title and is cleverly written using humour to explain a complex topic. When a non-Indigenous lawyer explains Native Title to the mob in the Great Sandy Desert, he confuses the community by explaining to them that they must prove to the Queen, as the figurehead of Commonwealth Australia, that the Walmajarri own the land. This confounds Jimmy and Pat so they decide to write to the Queen inviting her to visit and prove the land is hers by finding the waterholes. Surprisingly she accepts the invitation and arrives in the desert by helicopter with her vast array of luggage and two corgis in tow. What follows is quite a humourous tale of camping, hunting and searching for the elusive waterholes. The use of Walmajarri and Kriol language throughout is an important addition and the illustrations by Jimmy Pike are bold and bright. In the final pages is a valuable glossary and pronunciation guide. An entertaining read. Teacher's notes are available from the publisher.

Themes: First Nations People, Walmajarri Language, Native Title, Great Sandy Desert, Her Majesty, Camping, Hunting.

Kathryn Beilby