Page from Cooee Mittigar. 

Cooee Mittigar by Darug co-creators Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson has been shortlisted for not one, but two awards!

The popular children’s picture book has been shortlisted in the Children’s Literature category in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and also shortlisted alongside six other Australian titles in the inaugural Small Press Network Book of the Year Awards.

About the double shortlisting, Jasmine Seymour said, “Cooee Mittigar was made because Leanne and I wanted people to remember and recognise that Sydney always was and always will be an Aboriginal place. We belong to the Darug people, and while we might not look or act like our ancestors did 250 years ago our connection to culture, Country and our community is still strong. We wanted the kids and adults who grow up in this Country to be proud of its Aboriginal history and custodianship. We wanted people to see Aboriginal geography the way we see Country.

 

“Being shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s and Small Press Network awards shows us that people felt the love for Country that Leanne and I poured into this book. Thank you to everyone who has loved this book and connected to its story. This is the story of us, and the land connection that links all people who live in Australia. Budyari budyari!”

The winners of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards will be announced 10 December at 8am, and the Small Press Network Book of the Year will be announced 16 December at 6pm.

Meaning, “come here, friend”, Cooee Mittigar is an invitation to yana (walk), on Darug Country, introducing children and adults-alike to Darug Nura (Country) and language.

Cooee Mittigar was a Notable in the 2020 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards. Both Jasmine and Leanne were shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA New Illustrator Award, with Jasmine taking out the award for her book Baby Business.