Skip to main content
state library of queensland
Blog
First Nations cultures

Celebrating Jarjum Stories

By Sophia Sambono | 8 November 2019

Author Greg Driesse holding book 'Jingeri Jingeri'
Gregg Dreise with Jingeri Jingeri in front of the Jarjum Stories Showcase

kuril dhagun was brimming with excitement last week! Our space was filled with kid's voices, laughter and song as we celebrated the launch of Jingeri Jingeri as part of the Jarjum Stories showcase.

Tamborine Mountain State School visiting Jarjum Stories in kuril dhagun
Jingeri Jingeri cake!

Jingeri Jingeri is an interlingual book written in English and Yugambeh languages about a very cheeky willy wagtail. The book was created in a series of workshops with a group of year 4 and 6 students of Tamborine Mountain State School where Yugambeh language is embedded into their curriculum.

Jarjum Stories Showcase curator Sophia Sambono presenting Jingeri Jingeri

Kamilaroi author, illustrator and educator, Gregg Dreise facilitated the workshops by providing a framework for storytelling, and guidance in character development. The students then lead the narrative direction of the book, expertly layering in language, with a little help from Yugambeh Museum, Language and Research Centre director, Rory O'Connor. You can watch a video of the process below.

Jingeri Jingeri is a legacy project of State Library of Queensland's celebration of the 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages and is featured in the Jarjum Stories showcase.

Jarjum Stories Showcase - Jingeri Jingeri Celebration
The authors signing their books

Jarjum Stories is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s books and storytelling. Jarjum means children.

In this free State Library of Queensland showcase, revisit childhood favourites – The Rainbow Serpent, Stradbroke Dreamtime and The Legends of Moonie Jarl – and some of the earliest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s books published in Queensland.

This colourful showcase highlights the role of storytelling in sharing language, cultural knowledge and moral lessons across generations.

Free showcase, open daily

19 October – 10 May

#slqJarjum

Comments

Your email address will not be published.

We welcome relevant, respectful comments.

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
We also welcome direct feedback via Contact Us.
You may also want to ask our librarians.