Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton (text) and Seantelle Walsh (illustrator), Our Mob, Ford Street Publishing, May 2023, 32 pp., RRP $26.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781922696229
Our Mob is an timely picture book which highlights Indigenous traditions and culture. Told from the perspective of preschool children, readers are invited to join the yarning circle, and learn various greetings in different Aboriginal languages, and more about their traditions, and cultures.
The authors, Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton, have created a beautiful picture book, packed full of Aboriginal culture. They are creative in showing how each Aboriginal tribe use a unique dialect and have some variations in cultural practices such as in hunting and gathering. This was depicted through introducing a different Aboriginal kid (based on real-life Aboriginal peoples and stories) to pass on traditional stories and practices.
The images and illustrations used on each page brought the story to life. Through use of vibrant colours and contrasts of deep dark shades, a different mood was created from character to character. Great detail has been added to the characters – specifically, the portrayal of native Australian floral and fauna. Debut artist, Seantelle Walsh has done a great job to integrate traditional artworks and significant symbols.
I absolutely loved reading this book and learning about the various traditions and practices. I loved that the creators of the book offered me a glimpse of the different tribes from the perspective of young children – the next generation of Aboriginal Australians.
I would definitely recommend this picture book to readers of all ages – especially younger readers so that they can begin to learn the traditions and ways of Australia’s first nations peoples.
Reviewed by Anna Tran
