Author, Jasmine Seymour and artist, Leanne Mulgo Watson have teamed up to release Cooee Mittigar, a beautiful children’s book that aims to teach primary school children about Aboriginal songlines, out this November through Magabala Books. Family, seasons, songlines, culture and tradition are the themes of this stunning picture book that is bound to become a classic.

In Cooee Mittigar, meaning “Come here, Friend”, the reader is greeted by Mulgo (the black swan) who welcomes you to yana (walk) on Country and walks the reader along one of the Darug songlines; she shows us its path. It is an exploration of what you might see along the songline as you walk through Nura (Darug Country).

With Darug language interspersed with English and an extensive glossary throughout, Cooee Mittigar presents an important tool for learning, told as a tender story with exquisite illustrations. It is Jasmine and Leanne’s wish that with this book, everyone will know that the Darug mob is still here and still strong.

Jasmine and Leanne are both Darug mob and are thrilled to keep their culture alive through books. “The Darug mob were the first in Sydney, and all school children deserve to know the true history of the place in which they live. This book gives a view of how it was, how it is and how it will always be to Darug people,” said Jasmine.

“Acknowledging and recognizing our history is important for reconciliation. Our culture deserves to be championed by all people who live on Darug lands. We all belong to this beautiful country and I hope this book teaches young ones how to belong and feel at one with Country.”

Jasmine Seymour is fast becoming renowned for her beautiful Darug stories, weaving the native language in with English text making Indigenous stories and words accessible to children and families, as she has done so once again with this stunning creation, topped off by Leanne’s beautiful artwork.

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