A new book for children from a Ngukurr author is telling bilingual family stories and sharing traditional knowledge with young readers.
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Main Abija My Grandad was written by Karen Rogers and officially released on Tuesday. It is the long time artist's first picture book, and she created both the words and the illustrations.
Written in Kriol and English, the story traces the true story of Ms Roger's close relationship with her grandfather and the traditional teaching he gave to her in the remote community of Ngukurr 300km from Katherine.
"At first it was a sad story about my grandad because I missed his funeral," Ms Rogers said.
"Really it's about the knowledge he passed on.
"How to fish, how to find certain foods when you go out bush."
The book's bilingual story is unique and important for Ms Rogers, who wants to preserve her people's culture in order to share it with the world.
"I also want my kids to learn to read English and Kriol," she said.
"It is important to me to write in my language."
Ms Rogers said the book came about when the next generation of her family was born and it brought old memories and feelings of her grandfather's death back to the surface.
"For a couple of years I found it sad... I had it clogged up inside of me," she said.
"I wanted to let my family know how I felt, and after seeing my great-great grandson be born I was really happy and I let it all out."
Ms Rogers thinks her grandad would be proud of her if he could read the book today.
"I reckon he would have loved it... it was memories of what I shared with him."
The book comes with a serious message too, as Ms Rogers said the story is meant to normalise conversations about life and death for people in all communities and cultures.
"Death is important in our community, I want kids to think about that and talk about that.
"In that way it is the same, black fella way and munanga (non-Indigenous) way."
Ms Rogers studied visual art at Batchelor Institute, inspired by her grandmother and sisters, who were all artists.
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