Do you have a memory from many years ago that is as strong as it was the day you did that activity?
Can you remember the smells, how you felt, what you saw or ate?
Written by Joanne Crawford and illustrated by Kerry Anne Jordinson, I remember is a beautifully told story that highlights memories and how those that fill us with joy linger within our minds, even when our day to day memory is fading.
We meet our storyteller, an older women, briefly and are quickly transported back in time to a holiday she had as a child.
She tells us in detail her family trip to the Murchison River – the journey in the car, the setting up of the campsite and cooking of damper within hot coals.
Jordinson’s illustrations bring these memories to life so much so that we can feel the heat, smell the gum leaves and hear the night animals.
The gentleness of this story shows the reader just how important happy memories are to an ageing person and how much joy they can bring. It also shows just how important storytelling is – the sharing and listening to of stories brings people and places back to life and sheds light on how we can move forward.
About 4 years ago I visited the end of the Murchison River – near Kalbarri but only spent a day there…it was amazing and I can only imagine the beauty of spending a week or two there would bring. The red rock, the blue river and the green growth – a spectacular place.
I remember by Joanne Crawford moved me, its a book for young and old, one to be shared and perhaps one that will inspire some storytelling around your kitchen table.
So what else can you do with this book?
– Tell stories as often as you can, make them up or retell about a time once had.
– Go camping or spend some time outdoors – entice your senses!
– Find out where the Murchison River is and where you could camp.
– Why is storytelling such an important aspect of Australian Indigenous culture?
– What are memories? Do we need them and if we don’t have them how does this effect us?
– What would life be like if we didn’t have any memories?
