Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations Seasons)
By Aunty Munya Andrews
Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Published by Hardie Grant Explore
Ask Aunty: Seasons by Aunty Munya Andrews with illustrations by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is published by Hardie Grant Explore. Available in stores nationally from 15 November, RRP $24.99.
“I love my culture and I love my Country. But most of all, I love sharing it with you.” (Aunty Munya Andrews in Ask Aunty: Seasons)
Ask Aunty: Seasons is the first in an excellent-looking series for young children. It is highly knowledgeable, insightful, interesting and child friendly.
The author, Aunty Munya Andrews, is an “Aboriginal Elder from Bardi Country, which is in the Kimberley in Western Australia.” Aunty Munya continues, “We Bardi People live by the sea in Saltwater Country, so we call ourselves gaara ambooriny (Saltwater People).”
Being an Elder means that Aunty Munya is responsible for teaching others about her Country and culture. She does this expertly, and with grace, in this book.
In Ask Aunty: Seasons, Aunty Munya is the wise guide throughout the book, explaining the First Nations seasons, and specifically the six seasons (lalin) of the Bardi People.
Illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is a proud Bundjalung woman residing on Dharug and Gundungurra Country. Her pictures sensitively explain the text.
Interview with Aunty Munya Andrews about Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations seasons
Thank you for speaking to ‘Joy in Books’ at PaperbarkWords, Aunty Munya.
What is your favourite season, and why?
My favourite season is Lalin, ‘Married turtle’ season, because it is also the wet season when everything comes alive. The rains come down and water is everywhere, dark clouds hang low, lightning fills the air, frogs croak and cicadas sing – the air is full of expectation with the promise of things to come.
How do the stars show a change of season?
The stars change their positions in the night sky depending on the time of the year that also signals when certain foods are available.
Have any of the six seasons changed because of climate change or for other reasons? If so, how?
Not that I am aware of, or to my knowledge.
Which illustration by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis particularly captures a season for you? Why?/How?
Although it’s not placed under Lalin, the actual cover of Seasons captures the essence of ‘Married Turtle’ season for me. Goorlil (turtle) is a special animal for my people that has special meaning connected to many facets of life. The fact that it represents love and marriage speaks to its special status in Bardi culture. When we tell someone we love them we say, Naya lian narmanju ardijan arngrimin gulil’ which translates as ‘I love you until there are no more baby turtles’.
What would you particularly like young readers to understand about Bardi Country and culture?
I would like for young readers to appreciate Bardi environmental knowledge and our close relationship with Country, especially from a Saltwater perspective.
What is coming next in the series?
I plan to write my next book on Bush Skills and how to survive in the bush, passing on traditional knowledge about how not to get lost, where and when to hunt, how to build shelter, how to find water on land and freshwater from the sea!
Thank you very much Aunty Munya.
All the best with Seasons and we look forward to your next book on Bush Skills.
Ask Aunty – Seasons at Hardie Grant
My interview with illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis about Found (written by Bruce Pascoe) at PaperbarkWords blog
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