Cheryl Kickett-Tucker (author) and Tyrown Waigana (illustrator), Ninni Yabini, Fremantle Press, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), August 2022, ISBN 9781760991210
A mother and father swan love and cherish their baby, Yabini. One day, while the family is hunting for food, a storm washes away their nest. While Maali (father) and Djidar (mother) work together to build a new nest, Yabini wanders off and gets lost. Fortunately, Yabini finds a way to make her way back home and the story ends with a beautiful lullaby.
Ninni Yabini explores themes of family, nature and belonging, and has a gentle message about paying attention to your surroundings and not wandering off. The story is told simply, making it accessible for very young readers right up to the early years of school. The author, Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, is passionate about making a difference in the lives of Aboriginal children and families.
Tyrown Waigana’s mixed media artwork is bold and vibrant, but uses natural tones. The style is striking and compliments the writing style well. The characters have lots of personality and their body language helps tell the story.
Ninni Yabini is written in both Noongar and English. Noongar is the language of the Noongar nation and is spoken by 14 different groups across the south-west corner of Western Australia. This engaging story is an excellent resource for Noongar-speaking families, as well as those seeking an introduction to the language and culture. Information about the Six Noongar Seasons is included at the end of the book. Teaching notes are provided on the Fremantle Press website.
Reviewed by Laura Holloway
