Bill Forshaw (ed.), NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language, Indigenous Literacy Fund, May 2023, 101 pp., RRP $29.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922592071
This sturdy hardback book printed on high quality paper offers local stories from nine Northern Territory First Nations communities. Each one is told in the language of their community—such as Murrinpatha, Wubuy, Kriol, Arrernte and Walpiri-Yuendumu.
Sometimes the stories are traditional, creation tales, sometimes bush lore, and sometimes they recount local daily routines or events within the memories of the storytellers. Each story is illustrated by a different artist in full page images with bold colours and attention to detail. Via a QR code, the reader is invited to listen to a live rendition of each story by a local fluent in their language.
This is a wonderfully educational addition to the book, and it is exciting to hear these languages that are part of the long pre-settlement heritage of our nation. It is heartening too to know that children in the Northern Territory might be able to engage with stories in the languages they speak among themselves.
This is a resource for all Australian school libraries and for teachers who want to bring contemporary First Nations culture alive for students. Recommended for readers from five years onwards.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
