.jpg "Our Island by the children of Gununa")
AUTHORS: The children of Gununa on the Mornington Island in collaboration with Alison Lester and Elizabeth Honey.
ARTISTS: The children of Gununa.*
STORY: This book celebrates Mornington Island using the words and pictures of the children who live in this unique environment. It is based around the poem of one of the children, named Jasmine Jingles.
Gununa is the largest town, on the island, with a population of around 1200. Mornington Island is the largest of the Wellesley islands, a group of 23 islands in the gulf of Carpentaria, part of the Gulf Country region in the Australian state of Queensland. The island is fringed by mangrove forests and contains 10 pristine estuaries. It is the traditional country of the Lardil, Kaiadilt and Gangalidda peoples who have successfully managed the land and sea resources for millions of years. Art, song and dance are all part of the islands cultural identity.
SNIPPET:
At midday when the sun beats down, wallabies lie in the shade.
Brolgas bow and sway on the shimmering salt pans.
RECOMMENDED: for 4 year old children and older.
WHY I LOVE THIS BOOK: It is a soft and gentle celebration of nature and a unique and remote part of Australia that children relate to because of the beautiful drawings and words created by young children.
PUBLISHER: Penguin 2014
See how the book was created in this video told by Alson Lester and Elizabeth Honey.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
Learn to do crayon resist art
Discuss the unique animals of Australia
Discuss animals that live in the sea
Learn about the Morning Glory - a rare and extraordinary cloud formation mentioned in the book.
Learn more about the artists of Mornington Island
PURCHASE: ON FISHPOND
All royalties from Our Island and one dollar from the sale of each copy will be donated to Mornington Island State School to fund art projects in the community.
* The children who contributed to the book include: Roy Amini, Lydia Claxton-Amini, Carmelita Binjari, Brett Evans, Lenford Gabori, Letisha Gabori, Luckeisha Gabori, Saiyuri Govender, Serena Govender, Kenneth Jacob, Jasmine Jingles, Elijah Joe, Kathleen Juhel, Daniel Kohler, Jaylo Linden, Reed Linden, Saige Reid, Graham Roughsey, Cheraine Sewter, Miranda Thomas, Miguel Thompson, Sheyenne Thompson, Tianna Thompson, Landon Wall and Amber Wilson.
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