Joy Murphy

Aunty Joy Murphy, an elder and storyteller of the Aboriginal Wurundjeri people, joins with Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and illustrator Lisa Kennedy, a descendant of Tasmania's Trawlwoolway people, to tell the story of the Birrarung, or Yarra River, in this gorgeous picture-book from Australia. From its source upcountry, in the yerin (bush), where parnmin (rain) falls on the djerung (leaves), and then gathers into a yaluk (creek), the Birrarung flows across the country, providing a wilam show more (home) to many animals - the boroin (superb fairy-wren), yanggai (black cockatoo), marram and murrum (kangaroo and joey), dulai-wurrung (platypus), waa (raven), warin (wombat), tadjerri (sugar glider possum), bathmu (duck), boggon (water rat) and wadjil (pelican) - before reaching its destination, and joining palem warreen (salty waters). Overseeing it all is ngua (the sun) and Bunjil, the eagle that is the creator spirit of the Wurundjeri people...

Originally published in Australia as Wilam: A Birrarung Story, and then in the United States as Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia, this superbly beautiful picture-book pairs an engaging and information narrative with breathtakingly gorgeous artwork. I liked the fact that the main text used Woiwurrung words - Woiwurrung is a language spoken by a number of related tribes, the Wurundjeri amongst them, whose traditional territory was in central Victoria - and that the words were defined at the rear, in a glossary. I also liked the glossary itself, which was arranged by order of appearance in the story, rather than alphabetically, and which was divided into separate sections for each page of the book, with a miniature picture of that page above each list of words. The narrative is educational, not just about the Birrarung (Yarra) River and the many animals that live on or near it, but because it teaches some Woiwurrung vocabulary. I always appreciate learning bits of new languages in this way, but I thought the Woiwurrung words were particularly lovely - Bunjil, tadjeiri, wadjil - and I enjoyed sounding them out. Lisa Kennedy's illustrations, done in acrylic, are a pure pleasure to peruse, utilizing a vibrantly colorful palette and beautifully stylized folk-art motifs.

This was just a wonderful book, and I thank the friend - thank you, Kathryn! - who recommend it to me. I will definitely be seeking out Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy's other collaboration, Welcome to Country. Highly recommended to all picture-book readers who enjoy stories about the natural world, or learning about new places and peoples. Also recommended to anyone seeking authentic stories from an Aboriginal Australian perspective. show less

Aunty Joy Murphy, an elder and storyteller of the Aboriginal Wurundjeri people of Australia's Yarra (Birrarung) River Valley, introduces readers to the traditional welcome ceremony of her people in this lovely picture-book. The words of welcome themselves are presented in both Woiwurrung and English - "Wominjeka Wurundjeri balluk yearman koondee bik. Welcome to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people" - and the narrative then proceeds to describe some of the traditional Wurundjeri show more beliefs about their place in the world, and how they should live. Mention is made of their creator spirit, Bunjil the eagle, and his role in making the world. The book comes full circle by the end, reiterating the welcome expressed at the beginning...

Published in 2016 in Australia as Welcome to Country, and here in the United States in 2018 as Welcome to Country: A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony, this was the debut picture-book of Aunty Joy Murphy, and was followed in 2019 by Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia. I happened to read that subsequent book first, and finding it so lovely, decided to track down this earlier title. I'm certainly glad that I did, as I found the narrative here fascinating, and the accompanying artwork from Lisa Kennedy - an illustrator of Aboriginal Trawlwoolway descent, who also worked with Murphy on Birrarung Wilam - absolutely lovely. If I had any criticism to make of the book, it would be that I think it should have been fully bilingual, rather than confining the Woiwurrung text to the beginning and end of the book. As I mentioned in my review of Birrarung Wilam, I find the few Woiwurrung words I have learned thus far lovely - I really enjoy the sound of them! - and would appreciate the inclusion of even more. That said, this was still an engaging, lovely look at an Aboriginal people most likely unfamiliar to most American audiences. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy learning about new places and peoples, or who are seeking authentic stories from an Aboriginal Australian perspective. show less

A gentle, descriptive portrait of a lush and well-loved land.

Created by Joy Murphy Wandin Ao, Senior Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people of the Melbourne area, in collaboration with Kelly and Kennedy, also of the area, this #ownvoices picture book is one of a kind. Beginning with carefully painted endpapers that feature patterned stones and platypuses at the front and fish in waves at the back, the story follows the Birrarung (Yarra River) as it weaves its way from creeks to rivers, show more verdant bush undergrowth to valley pines beneath a pale blue sky, farmland to city. Animals identified with their Woiwurrung names are described in their various habitats: warin (wombat), marram (gray kangaroo), wallert (possum), waa (raven), and many others. Each layered spread features life of all forms—human, flora, and fauna—portrayed in a dynamic, vivid style. Intricate dot- and line-based art punctuates the lush illustrations drenched in vibrant greens, earthy browns, and watery blues, immersing readers in Aboriginal art. Extensive backmatter features a spread-by-spread glossary of Woiwurrung words used in the book accompanied by a reminder that “The Woiwurrung language does not translate directly into English.” This text perfectly captures the intersection of culture and science, making this an excellent text for an elementary-level unit on animal habitats, artistic portrayals, and cultural depictions of ecology.

Wilam, home, takes many forms for a plethora of animals in this striking Aboriginal story. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-8) A Kirkus Starred Review, www.kirkusreviews.com show less

When the sun rises and the eagles soar over the mountains, Birrarung starts her journey through a winding path. First, she flows through the homes of those nocturnals returning home for a rest. Then those insects and birds that are preparing to start their day. Further, she rushes through the farmlands where the Kangaroo cubs are watching her from their mommies' pouches. Finally, by sunset, she reaches the city.
We picked this book based on a recommendation. This is a must-read book for every show more child, especially while discussing the reasons for protecting our water bodies. In addition, the illustrations are enchanting and praiseworthy. The book describes the journey of the river using aboriginal Australian terms.
Birrarung Wilam by Aunty Joy Murphy & Andrew Kelly is a must-read book on the Birrarung with frame-worthy illustrations. show less