Young authors hoping croc book inspires next generation
When Cindy Manfong saw the opportunity to return to his hometown to work on a project with students from old high school, he jumped to him.
Jingili is the editor of the publication projects of Mudburra and Mangarrai Native Literacy Foundation.
He was excited to travel to Katherine, to meet a group of 12 and 13 -year -old men with a great idea for young children in Northern Regional Town, a great idea for a picture book written in English and Kriol.
“They wanted to write about this crocodile and all (local) swimming points.”
“Growing around Katherine is really ‘Crocwise’, so it’s really great for them to make this book and turn it into a cute humor book for children to read and make a good laugh.”
After the workshops with the students, the result was the publication of the Krok in Grinh Det K! (K-Town Croc Grin).
Grinch is concealed in the waters of the Katherine River, and decides to scare the chances of his children until the natives get enough and take their revenge.
“We wrote this book to teach other Aboriginal children about our community.” He said.
“The book is important to us because we read it and look at the drawings. We want to be role models for young generations.”
The work, which was recently initiated for overwhelming community support in Katherine, will take part in the celebration of the Native Literacy Day in Sydney on Wednesday.
Young writers go to celebrations at the Opera House and some travel to the city for the first time.
“We also feel tense, exciting and cheerful. There will be a long journey from home,” the students said.
The event will also exhibit a film from the First Nations people in Katherine, Wrecturnurna in Western Australia and South Australia’s Ceduna’s Ceduna.
In Far Warakurna, more than 700 kilometers of Alice Springs, educator and old Daisy Helen Tjupantarri Ward, Ngaanyatjarra explains how the information informs the children.
“We train them, leaving the storytelling at night, telling stories about the sky, the stars.” He said.
“When we talk about everything through Tjukurpa (period of creation) and through our stories, it is due to respect and security.”
2025 Native Literacy Day theme, the power in our stories: For now and for future generations, it is important for the mission of educating young generations while honoring the information that Mrs. Ward and the elderly have gone through.
It will not be in Sydney for the event, but all the Ngaanyatjarra Lands school is planning to watch it through live broadcast.
Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk host Bianca Hunt, showing that it is important to exhibit stories described by the first nations all over the country and are looking forward to meeting the young minds behind Grinch The K’Town Croc.
“I hope the kids feel like they’re being heard … And they’re really excited to put their own books.” He said.
“It is really a big thing to publish, and it’s something we need to celebrate with our Black writers.”
