A beautiful story, easy-to-read story of family and the importance of sharing time with those we love.
Feature image credit: Magabala Books
Not many young boys have the opportunity to write a story and then have it published in book form. Yaegi boy, Wilaaran Laurie, whose family comes from Yamba on the North Coast of NSW, has done just that. When he was five and living on Country, he wrote Going for Pippies. It is a lived story of creating memories with his family as they spend time at the beach. As they go, knowledge is shared, pippies are collected, and family bonds are strengthened.
Going for Pippies is a story of family and love. It explores sharing times with those who are special to us and learning along the way. Wilaaran’s family is spending the day at the beach, collecting pippies to eat. It is a time of fun for everyone … mum, dad, nans and pops, uncles and cousins, with lots of laughter and exploring. They pack up all that is needed for the day. Any Australian who lives near the coast will identify with the Esky, sunhats, towels, and buckets: all necessities for a day at the beach. Into the white truck and off they go.
Tori-Jay Mordey, an established Indigenous Australian illustrator and artist, has perfectly captured the joy of spending time with family at the beach with her bright block colour illustrations. We can see the love and excitement on their faces as they tell stories, share information and teach skills to their loved ones, while also giving a sense of fun, concentration, and excitement. The colourful front cover shows a young boy holding hands with his grandmother as he gazes lovingly up at her. We can almost hear the stories she must be telling him of her life and that of the ancestors as he stands listening. We remember his fear of the waves, but a loving handhold has enabled Laurie to enter the water.
The end papers, both front and back have a repeat of the lovely illustration showing the young boy Wilaaran, tentatively looking out to sea as his father encourages him to join in the pippy collecting. While relatively uncomplicated, the bright block coloured illustrations show the love and excitement from the family, while also giving a sense of fun, concentration and contentment. The pure joy on the faces of the family as they do the pippy dance is priceless.
Going for Pippies shows us how important it is to look after the land, pass on family stories, spend time with those we love, and overcome our fears. All are important lessons for any child. Going for Pippies leaves the reader feeling happy and wanting more. Hopefully we will not have to wait long before young writer Wilaaran Laurie, now 15 years old, will have another story to share with us.
Going for Pippies is for children aged between three and nine. Teacher notes are available online and they have been linked to the Australian Curriculum.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Magabala Books
Released: September 2025
RRP: $27.99
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