Kami's Country

Happy To Be Me – Picture Book – Kami’s Country

Kami means ‘grandmother’ in both the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages. Permission to include Kami was given by the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara land council.

Let’s go walking with Kami way out bush in Pitjantjatjara Country and feel the desert all around us. Let’s pick the earth up with our fingers and feel the dirt between our toes. Let’s listen up when Kami speaks, ’cause there’s much to learn and Kami knows.

The eight happy to be me picture books in this series feature a single song from the happy to be me CD, by Aunty Wendy’s Mob. The books provide a rich visual representation of the much loved lyrics of the happy to be me songs, incorporating messages of acceptance, cultural identity, connection to the land and sense of belonging.

The authentic artwork by Aboriginal artists features traditional and contemporary styles that range from the Central Desert, Cape York Peninsula and urban New South Wales. The artist’s interpretation of the lyrics brings an even deeper meaning to the songs and provides teachers with a visually stunning and engaging resource for the classroom. The series supports and extends the journey of learning for children as they explore, celebrate and develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture.

The happy to be me series was written by Wendy Notley, who is a non-Aboriginal early childhood trained teacher. Wendy is the songwriter and producer of Aunty Wendy’s Mob CD happy to be me, the accompanying Teaching Guide and Big Book (all available from Blake Education).

The songs on the happy to be me CD express the joy and pride that lives strong in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children and reflect contemporary interests and life experiences that all children can relate to. Twenty-two Aboriginal language groups are included in the lyrics.