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Shirley Purdie: My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe

SHORTLISTED, 2021 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PREMIER’S BOOK AWARDS, WRITING FOR CHILDREN

SHORTLISTED, 2021 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS, NEW ILLUSTRATOR AWARD

NOTABLES, 2021 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS, EVE POWNALL AWARD

Told in English and Gija, this is Shirley Purdie's life story, depicted alongside her stunning paintings. In My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe, Shirley shares vignettes of her life growing up on Mabel Downs station, and her Gija Culture, Country and Dreaming.  She explains her Dreaming is Echidna Dreaming and she teaches us about bush fruit and hunting.  She also shares the story of her working life, as a maid in the homestead on Mabel Downs station, and later in life as an artist, and how her mum taught her how to paint her Country. 

Shirley Purdie is a famous Australian artist who lives in Warmun community, in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. This is her first children’s picture book. When asked about what it means to share her story with children, Shirley said “good to put it in painting, your Country, so kids can know and understand. When the old people die, young people can read the stories from the paintings. They can learn from the paintings and maybe they want to start painting too.”  

This is the first book in the Kimberley Art Centre Series. The series focuses on developing the skills of Kimberley Aboriginal artists in children’s picture book storytelling and illustration. Shirley is well-known for her painting richly textured ochre and charcoal. See more of her artwork through the Warmun Art Centre. 

As well as detailed teacher notes, you can also find our Gija Teacher Notes here. They were specifically created to support Aboirginal Teacher's Assistants teach Gija lessons. 

$27.99

Praise for Shirley Purdie: My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe

"This is an important book that needs to be in every home and school library." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
– Good Reading

"...stunning illustrations…"
– Frances Atkinson, The Sydney Morning Herlad

"...a captivating world for young reading enthusiasts and an ideal introduction to the diversity and exceptional talents of Kimberley Aboriginal visual artists." 
– Dan Shaw, Happy Mag

Shirley Purdie
Shirley Purdie has been painting for more than twenty years and is an artist of increasing significance and seniority. Her cultural knowledge and artistic skill complement each other to produce a practice that holds great strength. Shirley is also a...

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