Isobel Bevis (text) and Leanne Zilm (illustrator), Nedingar: Ancestors, Fremantle Press, August 2023, RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760992712
Nedingar (Ancestors in Noongar) is about belonging – belonging to family and to country. Knowing one’s ancestors helps one’s own sense of identity as the little bird in this book asks (the little bird could be any young person asking about their background). This is emphasized by the other young creatures that appear in the illustrations, including emu chicks and young numbats and, towards the end of the book, a human child’s footprints on Country.
The book is in English and Noongar. The author used this technique to allow young people to see, hear and learn Noongar which she, her parents and grandparents were prevented from learning. Enriching the experience of using the book with young readers is to go to the Fremantle Press website where you can hear Isobel Bevis read the book in Noongar.
The illustrations by Leanne Zilm are created in acrylic and are vibrant and colourful. They feature Western Australian flora and fauna. Xanthorrhoea march across the endpapers, an owl appears at night highlighted against a midnight blue sky and the willy wagtails chirp to each other across a double page spread. This layout is used throughout with the illustration taking up the full page. The colours are very evocative of the Western Australian landscape.
This is a book that will work well as a read-aloud as well as providing stimulus for discussion. It is a very welcome addition to dual language books featuring Australian Indigenous languages.
Reviewed by Margot Hillel
