Endorsements
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A collaboration between Ngumpin (First Nations) and Kartiya (non-Indigenous) cultures resulted in the creation of this glorious book. The Tamarra Project involved over 30 Gurindji Elders, artists, storytellers, scientists and linguists. From the visually stunning front cover to each glorious page after page of magnificent culturally significant paintings, the reader is drawn into the text. The visual organisation of the text, with the three languages featured colour coded, makes the information easily digestible. The glossary provides a guide to pronunciation, with each word featured in colour in the story also listed in the Glossary. A QR code allows the reader to hear the story read in language. The interweaving of culture and detailed information of termites is cleverly done and ‘Did You Know?’ sections throughout encourage engagement. Truly a labour of love.
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▪ Judges’ comments – Children’s Book Council of Australia
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With gorgeous illustrations, the text not only provides information about termites—explaining their life cycles and the way they gather food, build their mounds and more—but also their significance to Gurindji people and how termites and their mounds are collected and used in important rituals … It’s clear Tamarra was a project of love, since the book was created as a collaboration between over 30 First Nations and non-Indigenous contributors, and the behind-the-scenes information really helps bring everything together. Once I finished absorbing everything I had just read in English, I was excited to return to the beginning to listen to the story in Gurindji and Gurindji Kriol while reading along. A fantastic source of information, I recommend this book for anyone who loves learning and believe it would be a fantastic addition to any library.
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▪ Books & Publishing reviewer - Anneliese Gates (writer and librarian)
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A masterpiece of storytelling, factual information and community … There’s a beautiful balance between the art, photography, scientific facts and storytelling with additional information in front matter and backmatter that feels like a treasure trove. All this achieved while highlighting themes of family, tradition and caring for Country.
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▪ Judges’ comments – Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2024
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(A) stunning factual picture book about the termite and its strong connection to the First Nations People of the area … The impressive cover and endpapers along with the vibrant paintings and photographs throughout, will draw readers both young and old to this very special book. A wonderful resource for schools and public libraries that will provide so much new learning for all.
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▪ Kathryn Beilby from Read Plus
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Termites might not be everyone’s favourite insect buddies, nor mine, however there was a great journey discovering their fascinating and complex social structures in this vast 80-page picture book.
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▪ CBCA Reading Time review
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As the growing number of termite fans listening to the show know, from time to time I award a Koala Stamp for people and projects beyond the call of duty. If ever a book deserves a Koala Stamp, it’s the one sitting on the desk in front of me: Tamarra: A Story of Termites on Gurindji Country.
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▪ Phillip Adams – Late Night Live on Radio National
Listen to the full interview with three of the co-creators of Tamarra
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This is a remarkable story … It’s a book that includes art and science. It’s an amazing collaboration from the community that really involves valuing traditional Aboriginal lore...It’s fascinating… I think it’s a book that will appeal to everybody, not just someone interested in termites. I gave it to my 70 something year old brother-in-law…because he had toured in the Northern Territory and he sat there one afternoon and read it from cover to cover.
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▪ Fiona Stager Co-owner of Avid Reader Bookshop
Watch to Fiona’s full endorsement
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Written in Gurindji, Gurindji Kriol and English, Tamarra is the first trilingual children’s book featuring First Nation languages published in Australia.
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▪ Academy of Humanities
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