Wirrawoorliny/Whirlwind (Kim Scott, Cass Lynch & Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project, illus Monique Farmer, UWA Publishing)

Wirrawoorliny/Whirlwind sweeps readers onto Noongar Country, where a boy is eaten by a djanak (devil) and later put back together by a mysterious whirlwind. It is ‘an old story retold’ by Kim Scott, Cass Lynch and the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project. The narrative is beautifully balanced between the English and Noongar text and the striking, comic-like illustrations, celebrating both growing up and the continuance of culture. From the opening sentence, the prose is visceral – with rhythmic and engaging traits usually attributed to spoken word. Monique Farmer captures the colours of Country and the multiple layers of culture in detailed illustrations. Suitable for primary and secondary school–aged readers, the book includes scenes depicting harm that may call for adult guidance. Teachers’ notes will further support the book’s use in schools. Lynch’s closing note provides context for why the story takes the shape it does. She describes the vital, cyclical work behind the scenes, from Wirlomin community feedback on an early draft to the inspiration taken from linguist Gerhardt Laves’ recordings of whirlwinds as ‘wul wul wul wul wul wul’. She also credits Wilomin Noongar matriarch Kayang Hazel Brown (Kayang & Me), whose telling of the djanak story prompted the creation of this gripping and moving picture book.

Listen to editor Cass Lynch explain the pronunciation of Wirrawoorliny:

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jasmin McGaughey is the editorial and production coordinator at Books+Publishing. 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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