A CBCA Notable Book for Early Childhood, 2025.
This book is based on my experiences growing up on Yolngu country, Arnhem Land, NT. It's a deeply personal book, and one that I'm grateful to share. Published in English and Gupapuyngu, the book celebrates the universal experiences of childhood which bind us all together.
I grew up in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, in a Yolngu community called Ramingining. My sister and I were often the only white (Balanda) kids in town. Our playmates were Yolngu and spoke a smattering of English. We spoke a smattering of Djinang and Gupapuyngu - hello, goodbye, yes, no, and a couple of swear words we picked up whilst playing chasey or tin-game. There were about six to nine different languages spoken in town at any one time.
My Dad was a linguist and grammar specialist, and my Mum worked in mother-tongue literacy (teaching people to read and write in their own languages). We were privileged to be assigned skin names (I'm Gamanydjan), and adopted into a tribal family. My parents ensured that we respected the Yolngu kinship and belief systems.
I've always known I had a unique upbringing, and was lucky to experience living cross-culturally in a remote location in my formative years. It's something I have always wanted to share with my children, who have lived their whole lives in a big city. This was the impetus for this book.
There are many children who live cross-culturally around Australia today. When we share our stories we contribute to social cohesion and understanding. 'Just Like You' is my love letter to the people and places of my specific upbringing. The elder who approved my book from a Yolngu perspective said to me something like this - 'It's very good to show Balanda the Yolngu way of living, and Balanda and Yolngu living together.'
I hope you enjoy the book. Just Like You is published by Walker Books Australia.
You can listen to the audio file of translator Judy Ngalambirra reading the book in Gupapuyngu! Turn the page when you hear a little 'ding'.
You can view the book on YouTube too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MeYDdPGRwU
I got to go back to Ramingining to share 'Just Like You' with my Yolngu friends and family. I made a video-log of my visit in September 2024.
What People are saying about 'Just Like You':
"Each spread shows the correlation between the city kids and the kids in the remote community, and your readers will very easily make connections here. It is both beautifully designed and presented with text and illustrations just perfectly matched to express the joy that all children have in playtime – wherever and whoever they are.
Make no mistake, this is a must-have for your collection so get it on your orders list now! A huge 5 stars from me for this wonderful peek into childhood in a different setting."
– Sue Warren, Just So Stories
Sharing the story of her childhood, the author-illustrator provides a fascinating insight into the similarities and differences of life in a remote community and in a big city. The narrative is simple in its execution and shares familiar day to day activities that young children will be able to joyfully relate to. Varying page formats including double-spreads, half-page, split-page, as well as inset digital illustrations, add interest and depth to the narrative. The sharing of two different cultures perfectly synchronised in harmony is a highlight.
-CBCA Notable judging panel
'My Godson makes me read this book almost everytime he visits. So much so, that he has started reading it to me! And he yells with enthusiasm “Just like me!” everytime. We love it!'
– Debra