My little barlaagany (Sunshine) by Melissa Greenwood

Melissa was born and raised between both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung nations.

Drawing on this heritage she has written a charming bedtime story about the passage of sunshine throughout the day, easing the passage to sleeping time. Mother and child journey through the day and night, visiting elders, places that are special to them, watching the night sky, waking in the morning to a new day of adventure.

Soft muted illustrations fill each double page, accompanied by a rhyming pair of lines each set preparing the child to a particular time of the day. While the sun is up it is time to play, but sunset in the evening means it is time to say goodbye. The moon Giidany, now rises, and we thank the gift of the night sky. The evening helps children recall their ancestors, feeling the hugs they give. A brand new day with lots of new adventures await. There are waterholes to visit and cuddles from mother who loves her sunshine, her barlaagany.

The last pages of the book give the poetic words used in the text in both English and Gumbaynggirr languages giving the opportunity for children to learn some of the words to describe things like sunshine, moon and special place, amongst others.

This page is followed by information about Melissa and her upbringing, emphasising her closeness to her community, a closeness heralded by the story of barlaagany.

Themes: Aboriginal themes, Community, Dreaming, Moon, Family.

Fran Knight