Words by: Violet Wadrill, Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Leah Leaman, Cecelia Edwards, Cassandra Algy, Felicity Meakins, Briony Barr, Gregory Crocetti.

Artwork and photographs by: Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Violet Wadrill, Rosemary Johnson, Serena Donald, Leah Leaman, Pauline Ryan, Roberta Winbye, Magdalene Winbye, Margaret Winbye, Mary Smiler, Rosie Smiler, Joanne Stevens, Rachel Rennie, Lucy Tanami, Cassandra Algy, Caroline Jimmy, Martina Mandijerry, Cecelia Edwards, Sophia Donnelly Patterson, Tara Long, Merrilyn Frith, Narelle Morris, Theresa Yibwoin, Brenda L. Croft, Briony Barr, Penny Smith, Jacqui Young, Gregory Crocetti, Kalkaringi School Students.

TAMARRA is a fascinating, illustrated science book that takes kids inside the life of termites through storytelling from the Gurindji People.

Did you know there are four types of termite poo? Or that a warm paste made from termite mound is used to strengthen a Gurindji baby’s body and spirit? Or that spinifex (which termites eat) is one of the strongest plants in the world?

Created as a collaboration between over 30 First Nations and non-Indigenous contributors, the story and artworks explore how termites and their mounds connect different parts of Country, from tiny Gurindji babies and their loving grandmothers, to spiky spinifex plants growing in the hot sun.

Written in traditional Gurindji, Gurindji Kriol and English (with a QR code to an audio version spoken in language), TAMARRA is a truly original story with beautiful artwork that takes readers on an educational and cultural journey through Gurindji Country. Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years. (From GoodReads.)

You can learn about the project and the creators, and listen to the audio version at the project’s website.

You can view highlights of the Karu Kamparnup ceremony here, with stop motion animation created by the art team. You can read about the animation process on Briony Barr’s website.

Violet Wadrill was born in 1942 and is a traditional owner of Jutamaliny. She has worked extensively with linguists on the documentation of Gurindji language and culture, including a dictionary, ethnobiology and a number of volumes of collected texts.

Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal is a senior ceremony woman. Topsy also paints and carves artefacts through Karungkarni Arts.

Leah Leaman is a Gurindji/Malngin woman, artist and Co-Director of Karungkarni Art.

Cecelia Edwards was born in Katherine to Warlpiri and Gurindji parents. She has been painting since she was a child and is an active member of Karungkarni Art.