We are Australians by Duncan Smith & Nicole Godwin. Illus. by Jandamarra Cadd
A shout out for everyone to treasure all voices, respect the land we live on, and listen to the stories, enabling us all to stand together as citizens of Australia is proclaimed in this arresting book.
Its brief words evoke deeper meanings, ones that will be conveyed through discussion and sharing of stories, as children learn of the First Nations people, here for over 65,000 years, living alongside other migrants to this country.
The spare words are enlarged by the luminous illustrations, offering large swathes of colour on each page, interspersed with dot paintings, images of many people of this country, working together, singing, dancing, painting and telling stories. The face on the front cover stares out at us, inviting us in, ready to share a story. And what a story there is to tell.
We may take Australian citizenship for granted but for 140,000 people from 200 countries in 2020-21 the ceremony to become an Australian citizen was precious. And what does this mean? The question is posed early in the book, and throughout the book we are encouraged to take the rights and responsibilities of being an Australian citizen to heart, thinking of all the others who have come to this place, ready to work together.
A wonderful grizzled face stares out at us at the end of the book, importing us to treasure our differences, and listen to the stories, so standing together as citizens of Australia.
Author, Duncan Smith OAM was born on Wiradjuri Country. He learnt his culture by being on the land, working with the Elders as they took him hunting and gathering, teaching him cultural dances.
Co author Nicole Godwin is an environmentalist, working on animals rights and social justice issues.
Illustrator, Jandamarra Cadd is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung descendent. ‘Painting has been a way of life that has enabled him to express his creativity and story telling. Jandamarra uses a variety of styles and mediums; with his unique blend of traditional aboriginal art techniques along with his own signature contemporary portraiture.’
The images he has created or this book are stunning, reaching out from the pages, inviting readers to look more closely, impelling people to take note.
Themes: Aboriginal themes, Australian citizenship, Australian history, Migration, Citizenship, Culture.
Fran Knight