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Walk With Us by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing and David Hardy


9781761065071Title: Walk With Us: Welcome To Our Country
Author: Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing
Illustrator: David Hardy
Published: November 2023
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Readership: Children (Picturebook)
Rating: ★★★★★
RRP: $24.99

I received a copy of Walk With us from the publisher for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Walk With Us is inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and invites readers to find out more about the First Nations Country where they live. From Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, former journalist Ellie Laing, and Barkindji illustrator David Hardy.
 
Harvey and Mum are heading to their favourite park for a walk on Cammeraygal land.
 
‘Time to awaken the ancestors,’ says Uncle Boris. ‘Every time we sing or acknowledge Country, the ancestors are listening.’
 
What do you know about the Country where you live?
 
Inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Walk With Us is an invitation to go on a journey of learning and appreciation – with family, with friends, and with our nation – together.
 
The bestselling Welcome to Our Country series aims to connect young children, parents and educators with First Nations history and culture.

Walk With Us, the fourth book in the Welcome to Our Country picture book series – written by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy – is an absolute delight. Long time follows of my reviews will know that I’ve been raving about this series since it first launched, and it’s still one of my favourites.

Walk With Us is the story of Harvey and his mum exploring the land where they live (Cammeraygal land) while on a walking with local guide, Uncle Boris. Inspired by the Uluru Statement of the Heart, it’s a book that encourages all of us to consider the rich history, culture and stories that our indigenous People have of the places we call home. Harvey and his mum begin to see their local parklands with new eyes and a deeper understanding of how the land has supported people for thousands of years.

As with all the books in this series, there’s a wonderful voice that comes through the storytelling, aided by Hardy’s wonderful illustrations. It’s a book that is a joyful celebration and each page embodies that. It’s highly relatable for readers young and old and calls us to investigate and learn more about the lands where we live.

I can’t wait to see if there are future books in this series. It’s definitely one for all classrooms, libraries and personal collections.

 

 

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