Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia

This beautiful picture book, "Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia," offers a profound and lyrical journey along Melbourne's iconic Yarra River, known as Birrarung to the Wurundjeri people. Co-authored by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy and Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly, it weaves together Indigenous perspectives, geographical facts, and poetic descriptions of the land's prehistory to the present. Readers aged 4-11 will discover Australia's unique flora and fauna through vibrant acrylic illustrations by Lisa Kennedy, which are rich with detail and invite repeated exploration. The book includes a glossary of Woiwurrung words, making it an excellent resource for discussing cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and the power of language. It's a celebration of home, connection, and the enduring spirit of the land.

Travel along Melbourne’s twisting Yarra River in a glorious celebration of Indigenous culture and Australia’s unique flora and fauna. As ngua rises, Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen. Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people Aunty Joy Murphy join to tell the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River — from its source to its mouth and from its prehistory to the present day. The writing dazzles with poetic descriptions of the trees, plants, and wildlife that thrive in harmony along the iconic waterway. Lush and vibrant acrylic paintings from Indigenous illustrator Lisa Kennedy make the mighty Yarra come to life — coursing under a starry sky, drawing people to its sunny shores, mirroring a searing orange sunset. Jewel-like details in the illustrations offer opportunities for discovery on every page. As gorgeous and powerful as the river itself, this stunner invites all to come to Wilam: home. End matter includes an authors' note and a glossary of the Woiwurrung words used in the story.