The lost girl

Ambelin Kwaymullina, illustrated by Leanne Tobin
Walker Books Australia
ISBN: 9781921529634           RRP: $24.95

A young girl’s curiosity tempts her from camp and she becomes lost. In vain she calls for help. She survives because she has been taught well that the land will provide. Then a crow calls and she follows it until she finally sees her people’s camp fires, home to a joyful reunion. The writing is direct and unembellished as is the style of Aboriginal storytelling. The acrylic paintings are richly coloured in landscape colours; they show many of the bush animals on which survival may depend. Her land is sacred, trusted and respected; it is not just a resource.