Joy Murphy Wandin AO is the Senior Aboriginal Elder of the
Wurundjeri People of Melbourne and surrounds. We show respect for
her and other Elders by calling them Aunty or Uncle. Aunty Joy has
had numerous government appointments including as a member of the
Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria and of the
Anti-Discrimination Tribunal. She is a storyteller and a writer and
is passionate about using story to bring people together and as a
conduit for understanding Aboriginal culture. Welcome to Country is
her first book.
Lisa Kennedy is descendant of the Trawlwoolway People on the
north-east coast of Tasmania. Lisa was born in Melbourne and as a
child lived close to the Maribyrnong River. Here she experienced
the gradual restoration of the natural river environment alongside
cultural regeneration and reclamation. Through sense of place she
feels connected to the Wurundjeri country and all that entails —
the water, the land, the animals and the ancestors. The experience
of loss and reclamation is embedded in her work. Welcome to Country
is her first title with Black Dog Books.
Murphy’s text is simple but not simplistic, and the book will suit
parents or teachers reading aloud to young children: with both
narrative and informational appeal, it will contribute well to
school libraries and is perfect for stimulating classroom
discussion about place, beliefs, traditions and human relationships
to the environment.
*Books+Publishing*
The stunning illustrations are a wonderfully evocative
representation of the landscape. It's a lovely book for young
children, but older children will also enjoy it immensely.
*Booktopia*
This is an important book for young readers and a boon for
educators who are seeking to find really strong examples of
Aboriginal culture and tradition. The beauty of the imagery only
serves to enhance the gravitas of Aunty Joy’s Welcome to Country
message.
*Creative Kids Tales*
A beautiful tribute to elders . Highly recommended.
*Pinerolo Newsletter*
This is an invitation to readers to embrace a sense of their
country that not only puts its long Aboriginal history first, but
values what that history can offer to us today. Recommended for
readers five to fifty.
*Reading Time*
This book articulates the importance of Welcome to Country in a way
both children and adults will appreciate, emphasising the
connection to environment and community and the symbolism of
inviting outsiders to connect with the land and people of a
particular region.
*Kids' Book Review*
Welcome To Country is an important narrative for teachers in
schools and kindergartens and for families to share. Highly
recommended.
*Read Plus*
This is truly a book to be experienced, for school aged readers and
older.
*4MBS Radio*
This stunningly illustrated book has a deep yet simple text, which
introduces its central concept through poetic language and earthy,
evocative landscapes of blended colours and shapes of people and
landscapes.
*Business Insider*
A beautifully illustrated portayal of the Wurundjeri People and
their connection to Country.
*Australian Family Therapists' Award For Children's Literature*
This beautifully realised picture book...is a lyrical yet simple
welcome to the traditional lands of the Gurundjeri People of
Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
*Magpies Magazine*
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