2.32 Ambelin Kwaymullina, Caterpillar and Butterfly (2009)

[emma-in-oz.livejournal.com]

2.32 Ambelin Kwaymullina, Caterpillar and Butterfly (2009)

This is another children's picture book, produced by the Fremantle Arts Press. The author and illustrator is from the Baigu and Nyamal people in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

It is a morality tale about a caterpillar who learns to be brave and thereby becomes a butterfly. It has simple, clear illustrations.

At first I was put off by the lack of pronouns. There is 'Sunset' instead of 'the sunset' and 'Rock' instead of 'the rock', but as I finished the book it was intended to convey a respect for nature.

It was shortlisted for the WA Young Readers Book Award, which is always a good sign. On the other hand, my daughter, now three and a quarter, was unimpressed. (But this might have been because she is currently obsessed with *The Wizard of Oz* and this book was noticeably lacking in the Scarecrow, Dorothy, Tin Man and Lion department).