Indigenous Gem Endorsed by Speech Pathology Australia in Book of the Year Award

Nedingar: Ancestors by Isobel Bevis and Leanne Zilm has been recognised for a third time in this year’s awards season. The dual language picture book has already been shortlisted for an Environment Award by the Wilderness Society and has been made a CBCA Notable Book. Now it is in the running for Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Book category.

Nedingar: Ancestors is about a young child who wants to meet their Ancestors. Their mother gently explains that they have already met their Ancestors, yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that they are everywhere in Country, walking close behind them.

The Book of the Year Awards are judged by a panel of Certified Practising Speech Pathologists with specific knowledge and skill in children’s language and literacy development.

Each nominated book is judged on its appeal to children, interactive quality, and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in facilitating the development of communication and literacy in children.

Other books on the shortlist are Sky Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy, Walk with Us: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing and David Hardy, The Heartbeat of the Land by Cathy Freeman, Coral Vass and Tannya Harricks, Super Snake by Gregg Dreise, Our Flag, Our Story: The Torres Strait Island Flag by Thomas Mayo, Bernard Namok Jnr and Tori-Jay Mordey, My Body! What I Say Goes! by Jayneen Sanders and Jasmine Seymour, and The Bunyip and the Stars by Adam Duncan and Paul Lalo.

The 2024 winners will be announced at the end of October.