The story of Moli det Bigbigi, the little pig from the bush who loves to eat weetbix and published by our Foundation back in 2017, last week became the first Indigenous and bilingual book to feature in the Australian Reading Hour campaign. Author of Moli det Bigibigi, Karen Manbulloo visited Sydney last week, travelling with her niece Sharon from Binjari community outside Katherine, NT.
On their whirlwind trip, Karen and Sharon visited La Perouse Public School and Gujaga Childcare to share her book for Australian Reading Hour. Having lost their own language, the kids at La Perouse requested Karen read Moli det Bigibigi to them in her native Kriol, listening eagerly to the story. And this is exactly Karen’s aim when she first wrote the book.
“Moli det bigibigi is the first book that my grandchildren have read in their own language,” Karen said. “This is really exciting but it also means other children and their parents will be able to read the book in two languages.”
The inclusion of Moli det bigibigi in Australian Reading Hour this year, the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages, also meant that children in communities where Kriol is spoken were able to take part in their first language for the first time.
Karen also found time to visit Kinokuniya Bookstore, and our board director Anna Low at Potts Point Bookshop, signing copies of Moli det Bigibigi for both Anna, and a number of excited customers. With a sequel to Moli det Bigibigi now on the cards, we can’t wait for Karen’s next trip down to Sydney.
Get your copy of Moli det Bigbigi here.
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