Marringa lullaby by Emily Wurramara and Sylvia Wurramarrba Tka. Illus. by Dylan Mooney

This is a solid board book with a beautiful lullaby to help children wind down at the end of the day; 'Marringa' means sleeping in the Anindilyakwa language spoken by the people of Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.

The book shimmers with vast visions of the landscape, with various animals and birds headed to their place to sleep for the night. Yaraja the name for goanna is looking for somewhere to sleep, Yirrenda the turtle is headed of the shore, while the Duwedirra (white cockatoo) finds a place with others for the night. Children are reminded that the night is for sleeping and the day is for playing, as they all nestle down to sleep. Through the book is an undercurrent of why we are here, to be aware of the birds and animals of Australia, there to be marvelled at while being protected. Lullabies such as this have an assumption that children will care for the land they live on, and songs like this pass on information about their environment as well as encouraging a sense of belonging and custodianship.

Original artwork by Dylan Mooney fits well with the song written by Emily Wurramarra and Sylvia Wurramarrba Tkac.

The strong board book will have calls to be sung again, and like all good lullabies, is heard in your head for some time after. A Youtube clip performs the song against the background of the book. Children will love learning the song and singing along with the video.

It is also on the ABC Iview site.

Themes: Aboriginal song, Lullaby, Sleep, Nighttime, Animals, Environment, Singing.

Fran Knight