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Thank you rain!

NOTABLE, 2023 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS, EARLY CHILDHOOD

LONGLISTED, 2023 AUSTRALIAN BOOK DESIGN AWARDS, BEST DESIGNED CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK

The third title from Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr.

Another simple, universal story from Sally Morgan and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr, this time, a beautifully illustrated celebration of rain. Thank you rain! is a joyful read, and is full of the plants and animals that welcome rain: raindrops in the treetops; birds singing in the rain; raindrops wetting the dry earth and filling creek beds; birds, frogs and kangaroos all enjoying the rain and finishing with Johnny dancing with happiness!
Sally Morgan’s beautiful words and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr’s sensitive artwork combine to give this distinctive children’s picture book global appeal. Johnny infuses his illustrations with his fine-art aesthetic and traditional motifs to bring each page to vivid life.

$27.99

Praise for Thank you rain!

Thank You Rain! is a piece of art that teachers, librarians, and parents alike can enjoy along with young readers…”
Geni Kuckhahn, CBCA Reading Time

Sally Morgan

Sally Morgan is one of Australia’s best-known artists and writers. She belongs to the Palyku people from the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her widely-acclaimed first book, My Place, has sold over half a million copies and is one...

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Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr

Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr is a Yolŋu man from the Ganalbingu clan and is known for his paintings of Ganalbingu song lines as well as his mother’s Wägilak clan stories. Along with other members of his clan, Johnny keeps culture strong...

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Johnny Warrkatja | Behind the illustration of 'Thank you rain!' from Gapuwiyak Arts on Vimeo.


Johnny painting a page from his new book with Sally Morgan, ‘Thank you rain!’. 

The process was a highly collaborative one. Sally first wrote the story, then Johnny, Margaret Whiskin (book editor at Magabala) and Trevor (Gapuwiyak art centre manager) worked together to come up with a story board. Page by page, the book was mocked up and this became the blueprint that Johnny referred to throughout his illustration process. Then Johnny got to work, quietly on the veranda of the art centre. One by one, each page in the new book emerged under his careful brush strokes. They then get scanned and graphic artists tweak the illustration to suit the printed media of the final product. 

We hope you’ll enjoy a quiet moment reading this book with your child and let Johnny’s painted animals take you on a journey through the rainy landscape.
 

Visit Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation to learn more about Johnny’s art.

Other titles by Sally Morgan

Other titles by Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr