Welcome to Country: A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony
Written by Aunty Joy Murphy
Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy
The push toward diversity in children’s literature has the happy result of enlightening everyone about cultures they probably only have a fleeting familiarity with. This fascinating picture book, written and illustrated by indigenous Australians, is one that has that effect.
Murphy is an elder in her community and is wonderfully conversant in their ceremonies. She holds numerous government positions related to her status in the community. She is called Aunty out of respect. This particular ceremony is the one that welcomes visitors. She uses native language interspersed with English so that the reader can understand what’s going on and still get the flavor. The ceremony is slowly revealed as many basics are explained to the visitor.
Bunjil the eagle is our creator spirit.
Bunjil created man, woman, and child from the land.
Later,
Welcome to the traditional lands
of the Wurundjeri people.
Kennedy uses traditional motifs to produce unbelievably beautiful images to draw the reader into the indigenous world.
Highly recommended for all.
Title: Welcome to Country: A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony- Author: Aunty Joy Murphy
- Illustrator: Lisa Kennedy
- Published: Candlewick Press, 2018
- Reviewer: Sue Poduska
- Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
- Grade Level: K to 4
- Genre: Picture Book, Aboriginal Australia Culture
- ISBN: 978-0-7636-9499-9