Isaiah Firebrace (text), Jaelyn Biumaiwai (illustrator) and Keisha Leon (design), Come Together: Things every Aussie kid should know about the First Peoples, Hardie Grant, November 2022, 40 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781741178166
Talented First Nations singer Isaiah Firebrace has turned his hand to writing a picture book. The resultant book, Come Together is a collaborative effort from Isaiah, artist Jaelyn Biumaiwai and designer Keisha Leon. The text provides the reader with basic information that every child (and adult) should know about Australia’s First Peoples.
Topics such as Songlines, The Dreaming, Elders, First Nations art and more are covered in an easy to understand fashion. Most importantly, topics such as the Stolen Generation, NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week are also addressed in a frank and forthright manner. In particular, Isaiah talks with open pride about his connection with the various elements of his culture and heritage. I imagine this would be very empowering for First Nations’ readers who may not have seen their culture and heritage represented in picture books.
It is unusual for a book designer to be credited on the front cover. Some of the design choices in Coming Together are also unusual. With large blocks of text in large bold font, most pages look like information posters that you might see in a primary school classroom. This design choice is unexpected for a non-fiction picture book.
It is great to see effort being made to celebrate First Nations’ culture and to avoid the loss of any more knowledge about this valuable culture, heritage and history.
Reviewed by Anne Varnes
