Nedingar: Ancestors

A young child wants to meet their Ancestors. They want to know them, and learn from them and follow their ways. 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. This lyrical, dual language picture book from two debut Noongar creators celebrates the beauty of Country and family.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘Nedingar is a fabulous book – gentle story, rich words, beautiful anticipation, and great talent shown by both authors and illustrator.’ Dr Belle Alderman, Director of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc.

‘This quietly powerful and poignant story explores themes of identity and empowerment. Its sparse and reassuring words open up a space for readers aged three and up to ask questions and interactively learn about the deep connection of First Nations people with their country and Ancestors.’ Books+Publishing

‘The illustrations pair perfectly with the beautiful understated story, soft and lyrical, highlighting the strength and power of Indigenous people’s connection to Country.’ Jane Stephens, Good Reading Magazine

‘The illustrations pair perfectly with the beautiful, understated story, soft and lyrical, highlighting the strength and power of Indigenous people’s connection to Country. Just a lovely book.’ Good Readings

‘Noongar storytellers Isobel and Leanne have drawn on their love of country and knowledge of its stories to present this inviting, wonderful read-aloud tale of ancestors … The illustrations impel readers to look closely at the flora and fauna of the countryside, as the distinctive acrylic images cover each page with clear links to Noongar Country in the southwest of Western Australia. Readers will love spotting the animals and grasses and flowers shown on the pages, and I loved checking out the names of the different eucalypts shown with their wonderfully coloured flowers. Western Australia’s glory is shown in all of its vibrancy and Leanne has the ability to put on the page what she sees around her home.’ ReadPlus

‘… the distinctive acrylic images cover each page with clear links to Noongar Country in the southwest of Western Australia.’ Fran Knight, ReadPlus.

‘Leanne Zilm’s pictures are a joy, whether they are of grass trees in the dry country or an owl and possum sharing the same night-time area.’ Moira Robinson, Magpies Magazine

‘Love and respect for boodja (country) – and the flora and fauna who share it – shines through from the beautiful opening endpapers (featuring multiple footprints) to the final positive affirmation that the ancestors live on in us and all around us.’ IC3

‘This book is presented in Noongar and English, and demonstrates some important growing trends in the language resource space. On each page, Noongar comes first, in bold, with English below. This protocol ensures this is read as a Noongar story with an English version included – as opposed to an English story translated into Noongar, as was frequently the case in older publications. The clean sans-serif typefaces, along with the QR code linked to the audio story, make this a true dual-language publication, with literacy development in both languages as the goal.’ Storylinks

‘Nedingar is a lyrical, dual language picture book from two debut Noongar creators that celebrates the beauty of Country and family.’ Good Reading Magazine