Monday, 11 November 2024

Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu

Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781761067860

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

What would you miss if you went for a walk in Kakadu? Walking the Rock Country In Kakadu (or Karrire kundenge karribolknan kunwarddehwardde in the local Kundjeyhmi language) shows how much there is to notice and appreciate for those who know how to look.

The book has the feel of a guided tour of the country, with the authors pointing out the flora, fauna, geography and culture of significance along the way, adding personal anecdotes. The illustrations are rich and detailed, supporting the text and making the reader feel almost as if they are truly there. It is a very long text, however, and without any narrative to speak of, the book takes some reader persistence.

For language nerds, a special treat is the Kundjeyhmi words peppered throughout the text, highlighted in bold colours and illustrated with small vignettes to provide the English translations. This is supported by an illustrated glossary, and pronunciations can be found by listening to the authors read the text aloud via a QR code. 

This is a substantial non-fiction text supported by detailed, sophisticated illustrations, which may offer great value in an upper primary context with appropriate teacher support and guidance.

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