My feet by Aimee Chan. Illus. by Leilamarie Stuart-Likouresis

The setting for this thoughtful story with a strong message is on Country of First Nations people. The young boy tells the story of the how he uses his feet and how important they are. He is close to Aunty whom he follows everywhere and shares many adventures and special times. Aunty though has burnt her feet by walking barefoot and receives treatment at a local clinic. She is made to rest her feet which are now heavily bandaged, and the young boy worries they will not be able to do the things they used to do. Aunty tells him that once her feet heal, they will be able to walk places together. What they have both learnt is that feet need to be looked after and spend time every evening caring for them. Bold and colourful illustrations complement the text and at the end is information about how to take care of feet for someone with diabetes.

This book is part of The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes-related Foot Complications Program funded through the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme (IAHP), a Commonwealth Government initiative.

Themes: First Nations Country, First Nations People, Family, Feet, Health Care, Diabetes.

Kathryn Beilby