Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) (Mavis Kerinaiua, ILF)

Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) is written, translated and illustrated by Mavis Kerinaiua, with support from Laura Rademaker. This compelling picture book for readers aged 7 and over tells the amazing true story of Louie Purraputimati Munkara, who served in the Black Watch during the Second World War. Louie assisted American pilots who crash-landed near Nguiu mission, inadvertently bringing the Tiwi Islands to Japanese attention. When the mission was attacked, he led his people to safety and radioed Darwin to warn of an imminent assault. He rescued crew members from the sinking Don Isidro and a burning mission lugger, organised searches for survivors and captured 5 Japanese soldiers using a rifle with only one bullet. Kerinaiua, Louie’s granddaughter, recounts this wartime story with pride and deep respect. Told in both Tiwi language and English, the book celebrates First Nations leadership and preserves an important chapter in Australian history. The illustrations convey powerful emotions and blend modern and traditional art. Created as part of the ANU project “Beyond Reconciliation: Truth-Telling for Indigenous Wellbeing”, this moving tribute to an unsung hero can be shared in homes and classrooms across Australia as “we remember all who lost their lives, those who served and those whose lives were changed by war”.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Merril Darling is a freelance book reviewer based in Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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