Everyone’s favourite warrior is back in this much-anticipated follow-up to Guardians, the first in the Wylah the Koorie Warrior series. Get ready to embark on another heart-stopping journey filled with danger and excitement, inspired by First Nations history and grounded in culture.
Full of heart-racing adventure and starring a strong female hero for the ages and her mega-funny megafauna friends, this best-selling series is a total delight. Throw in considered insights into First Nations language and culture in every chapter… What more could you ask for?
Wylah the Koorie Warrior #1: Guardians was a critically acclaimed fan-favourite. It was shortlisted for the 2023 ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children, and for the 2023 Indie Book Award: Children’s Fiction. Fans of Guardians are going to love this follow-up – Custodians is everything the first book was and more.
Jordan Gould, a Peek Whurrong man from Warrnambool, Victoria, brings his trademark passion for teaching kids about First Nations culture, language and reconciliation, and packs it into every page of this fast-paced adventure. Co-creator Richard Pritchard, a New Zealand-born Samoan man, brings the cinematic immersion and the illustrated magic. His extensive experience working in animation and video games is obvious.
Like Guardians, Custodians is the kind of book that gets kids engaged and immersed in reading and learning without even realising that’s what they’re doing. Absorbing, dynamic, full-page illustrations are layered generously throughout every chapter, igniting readers’ imaginations and providing a way into the story for less confident readers. There are also playful nods to trading card games throughout, including ‘choose your fighter’ character profiles at the back of the book. If you’re looking for something to get your reluctant readers started, I couldn’t recommend this series more!
What takes this impressive series to the next level is the authors’ approach to grounding each book in First Nations culture – and Peek Whurrong Elders have given the series their full backing. Each book includes a glossary of Peek Whurrong words with a guide to pronunciation, as well as footnotes throughout to explain references to cultural objects and words that readers might not be familiar with. It’s wonderful that Australian kids now get to engage with Peek Whurrong culture in such a fun and immersive format.
In this second series installment, Wylah – the books’ fierce and lovable protagonist – has already accomplished the unbelievable feat of uniting the five Guardians, but her journey is far from over. Together with her megafauna friends, she must travel through the treacherous and forbidden Valley of the Spirits to face off against the Dragon Army. Can Wylah defeat the perils that lay ahead and become the ultimate Koorie Warrior?
This is still just the beginning of Wylah’s adventures, with a third book scheduled for release in 2024, and rumours of a screen adaptation to come… Whether you’re new to Wylah’s world or have been eagerly awaiting the latest installment, there’s never been a better time to get into this extraordinary series. A must-read for adventure lovers aged 8+.
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