2007 Magabala Books $18.95
According to the Black Words: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Writers and Storytellers research community, there are around 170 published
Torres Strait Islander writers. That’s quite a few I hear you say. But how many
have you read? I myself have Terri Janke, Marcus Pedro, Selena Solomon, Ellie Gaffney and others on my shelves. But clearly I have
many more to buy!
Right now, I’m embarrassed to admit this it has taken me
this long to read and review this wonderful title by Elizabeth Wymarra and her
daughter Wandihnu. Elizabeth was born on Thursday Island and is a talented (and VERY funny) performance
artist, comedian and playwright. Her skills were passed on to her daughter who
managed to write her first play the age of seven years old.
Wandihnu and the Old Dugong which they penned together was
part of a ‘bonding exercise’ and resulted in a culturally rich story and
beautiful looking book illustrated by Benjamin Hodges.
Wandihnu and the Old Dugong is a valuable resources as it’s a positive story about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait identity in the 21st century. We follow young
city-born Wandihnu on a journey back to her roots on the island of Badu in the
western part of the Torres Strait. Wandihnu learns language – or so she should
– and there in lies the lesson of this tale.
Similar to other titles from Magabala Books like Nana’s Land,
this book is a morality story about respecting your elders and listening to
what they say.
This is not only an upbeat book to read at bedtime, it would
also be of great value in the classroom encouraging kids of all ages to
research their own background and
heritage.
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