An empowering story for all Australians, acknowledging our true history, embracing inclusivity, and celebrating the healing powers of nature and culture.
BOORI MONTY PRYOR: AUSTRALIA'S CHILDREN'S LAUREATE 2012-13
This is a book for everybody. Welcome! Take a seat! And listen carefully, because this story has a heartbeat. Can you feel it, there in your chest?
Legendary storyteller Boori Monty Pryor invites us to travel with him from the first footsteps through 80,000+ years of strength, sickness, and immense possibility.
From the very first stories and art, to dance, language, and connection with the land, Boori offers a powerful, beautiful, and deeply rich account of Australia's true history, drawing on a lifetime of wisdom, and on his generous instinct to teach and heal.
An exquisitely illustrated celebration of the power of storytelling to unite us, how nature connects us, and the wonderful truth that the medicine needed for healing lies within us all.
About the Author and Illustrator
Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region. His mother is a descendant of the Gurubana Moiety group from the Kunggandji Nation near Cairns. Boori is a multi-talented performer who has worked in film and television (as an actor and writer), modelling, sport, music and theatre-in-education. Boori has written several award-winning children's books, including Prime Minister's Literary Award winner Shake a Leg, and was Australia's inaugural Children's Laureate (with Alison Lester) in 2012 and 2013. He co-wrote and is the subject of Wrong Kind of Black (International Emmy Award nominee, screening on Netflix) and Brown Paper Bag (in which he also stars), and during his career as a storyteller he has worked with over one million children.
Rita Sinclair was born in Mareeba, North Queensland, and grew up a bit further south, in Townsville. As a child, she spent a lot of time daydreaming, drawing and reading, often in a tree or under its branches. Rita blames her mum for her love of all books (especially picture books), because books were a part of every birthday or Christmas. When her son, Cody, was born, Rita was excited to have a reason to buy more books. Now that he is grown up and married, she buys picture books for herself, just because. Rita has worked as an ice-cream and snack bar attendant, greyhound race photographer, wedding videographer, stained-glass overlay operator, teacher, librarian, wedding celebrant and now illustrator. She believes in lifelong learning and is always ready to learn something new - she often has several random courses lined up, and there is always a stack or two of books waiting for the holidays to be read.
Industry Reviews
"'[Boori] shed light on how we need to focus on how Australia's biggest issues began; at the roots of the tree, as opposed to just skimming our eyes across the little leaves produced at the tip of the tree's branches.' Year 8 student
'In 2018, performer Boori Monty Pryor foretold that Australia would soon suffer a great sickness. In this book, his beautiful poem and the colourful illustrations of Rita Sinclair combine to connect readers to Earth's oldest healer: nature. Get transported to the heart of Australia's ancient culture in this comforting book which is perfect for younger readers who love wildlife!' National Geographic Kids
'Boori has a way of getting everybody involved...[His story] made everybody stop, connect and think. [It] made us feel connected to the land on which we stand, and he expressed hope for the future through the voice of his stories.' Year 8 student
'An evocative poem about healing humanity through restoring our relationship with the earth...Rita Sinclair uses a contemporary style that represents humans as spirals of energy, displaying both ancient and modern life in her pictures...This is an important work by an Australian legend that celebrates storytelling and bringing people together. Repeated readings will reveal greater depths, and it is recommended as a read-aloud for ages 5+.' Angela Crocombe, Manager, Readings Kids
'Boori Monty Pryor came to our school, it was an unforgettable experience. The Story Doctors illustrations were magical and each illustration had an unbelievable message behind it. He also played the didgeridoo, which was phenomenal but it was very, very loud.' Year 7 student
'While the story is suitable for ages 7 to 12, the large, colourful illustrations of Australia's beautiful landscape and animals make it accessible to most.' The Sunday Mail
'I think the story was extremely inspiring and made me look at the world differently.' Year 7 student
'Story Doctors is a poem, a prescription for healing. The illustrations provide another pathway for storytelling with images and colours that are soulful and meditative. A book perfect for reading aloud or as a prayer. Dive in and explore.' The West Australian
'Boori, thank you again for your inspiring visit [to our school]...I have had lots of very positive feedback from teachers and students...all testimony to all the myriad personal meanings each reader will gain from reading this book...Story Doctors is a truly inspiring work of art.' Teacher, Head of Library
'Story Doctors is beautifully illustrated...[and] inspiring and encourages ""Healing Country"" through ""Eco Echoes"".' Australian Wildlife Magazine
'I liked how the pictures weren't just there for the sake of the words, but had a deeper meaning that explained the story more.' Year 7 student
'A richly empowering epic poem which resonates with such heartfelt emotion that it cannot fail to move the reader with its carefully chosen words and imagery. The superb illustrations...lend both vibrancy and animation to the text and there are many pages at which the reader will gasp at the beauty of them. Boori has given us all a true treasure with this remarkable and deeply personal offering to the nation and it is one which very rightly deserves to be shared with readers over and over again. What greater gift can we give our children...Highly recommended for all readers - young and old.' Just So Stories
'The idea of the book having a ""heartbeat"" - as described in the blurb - is undeniable...A stunning book for children and adults alike.' Underground Writers
'The beautiful, lyrical storytelling style is supported by stunning illustrations. This is a text for all ages...It's not a text you read once, and then forget about. I came back to it multiple times after my first read...It's the perfect discussion starter.' FIVE STARS, Noveltea Corner
'A gentle but real view of Australian history, and, above all, its intent is toward healing.' Queensland Reviewers Collective"
