Summer Rain by Ros Moriarty
Ill. by Balarinji. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112110
(Age: Junior primary) Themes: Aboriginal environment; Weather.
Summer Rain is a bright picture book that reveals the transformation
of the rainy season in Northern Australia. There is a simple text,
written in a lovely poetic style without pattern, but using language
for effect. A single word is highlighted on each page - usually a
verb, with the exception on the last page. This book could be used
for very young children and to highlight how the environment changes
with rain. The illustrations are from Balarinji, an Indigenous
design studio and they are brilliant. Vibrant colours appear on
every page and shadows are used to add interest. A final page
includes a translation of the text into Yanyuwa language from
Borroloola, NT.
Carolyn Hull