A soothing bedtime story from mum to baby.
As the sun shines throughout the day,
it warms your cheeks while we play.
As the sun sets in the evening sky,
say, ‘Yaarri Yarraang, goodbye.’
This gentle bedtime story follows the journey a mother and child take across a day and into the Dreamtime – finding special places to visit, creatures to meet and new things to discover.
From Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood, the creator of the heart-stirring picture book Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth.
Greenwood is a passionate writer who weaves the intricacies of her Aboriginal spiritual upbringing with the wisdom passed down to her from her Elders. In fact, what inspired My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine) was the teachings of her Elders.
This picture book is exquisitely stunning, both visually and lyrically. Greenwood takes young readers by the hand into the Dreamtime, on a voyage that inspires yet lulls them to sleep. This moving story demonstrates the strong connection between parent and child, and also the power of storytelling.
Greenwood uses abstract and dot paintings to vibrantly showcase Aboriginal Dreamtime art, complementing the prose beautifully. As the narrator talks about warmth, we’re shown double-page spreads of yellow, orange and pastel greens, moving into dark blue and green tones as the moon rises. The end of the picture book also has the story translated into Gumbaynggirr, encouraging the expansion of language and culture.
From fun creatures to meet to appreciating the beauty of nature through striking illustrations, My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine) makes the perfect preschool classroom and bedtime read for newborns and up. It’s the perfect picture book to curl up with.
Leave a Reply