Open Your Heart to Country

Jasmine Seymour

Open Your Heart to Country
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Magabala Books
Country
Australia
Published
1 June 2022
Pages
32
ISBN
9781922613769

Open Your Heart to Country

Jasmine Seymour

Winner of the 2023 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's Literature

‘Welcome home lost children From the award-winning creator of Baby Business (2019) and Cooee Mittigar (2019) comes a stunning bilingual story of healing and belonging.

Told in English and Dharug, Open Your Heart to Country is a moving account of reconnection to Country from a First Nations perspective. Sharing the nourishing power of returning home and being immersed in the language of Country, this picture book invites readers to reflect on the importance of place, not only for First Nations’ peoples but for everyone.

With exquisite illustrations and soft, lilting text, Open Your Heart to Country appeals to the very young, while sharing a deeper message for older readers. A book the whole family can enjoy.

Review

After her renowned picture books Baby Business and Cooee Mittigar, Jasmine Seymour is back with Open Your Heart to Country. This is a visually stunning picture book; Seymour’s distinctive illustration style of combining printmaking and painting with digital collage results in delightfully deep blues and purples, contrasted with a variety of bright flowers, birds and other wildlife. I was drawn to each character, deep in concentration in their connection to Country while they swim, dance and perceive the world around them.

Particularly impressive is Seymour’s use of both English and Dharug text. This invites young readers to consider how language and Country are inseparable, and how languages can differ so much: ‘Listen to its language. Learn how to speak its song. Ngara Ngurrangai dhalangu – Listen to the language of Country.’ This picture book is part of an ongoing effort to teach and pass on the Dharug language, and includes a song and pronunciation guide at the back of the book. For ages 3+.


Clare Millar is from Readings online

This item is in-stock at 3 shops and will ship in 3-4 days

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.