Sam's Bush Journey by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Ill. by
Bronwyn Bancroft. Little Hare
Books, 2009. ISBN 9781921541049.
(Picture
book, Ages 4-7) Sam stays with
his grandmother in the bush, but finds the
place not to his liking. Every time Grandma takes him for a walk, the
bushes
scratch him, the mosquitoes bite and he is ever fearful that the big
gums will
drop limbs upon his head. So he makes excuses not to go for walks,
saying he
has a headache and so must stay in bed. One night he finds himself in
the bush
and hungry, he recalls Grandma's talk about bush food, and finds some
berries
on the bushes. He is thirsty and recalls Grandma talking about the
birds, and
so follows the birds and finds water, when he is sleepy, he looks for
shelter
in the big trees.
All of the
things that Grandma has talked about on their
walks have a meaning which he can now appreciate. The bush is a
storehouse of
food, water and shelter. Next time Grandma invites him to go on a walk
into the
bush, he is happy to go, knowing that he will learn more about the
place
of his
ancestors. Arriving at the waterhole, Grandma comments that the birds
seem to
be greeting him as an old friend. This is a delightfully symmetrical
story which will enrapture those who read it.
Bancroft's
distinctive black outlined illustrations perfectly reveal the things
the boy
will find in the bush. The blocks of colour contrast with the black
making an
easily identified illustrative style which suits these stories so well.
On each
page are different things to watch out for and for kids to notice. The
figures
behind the trees gradually come together holding hearts between each
figure
reflecting the love found in the bush by those who care to look.
Fran Knight