Kuku Yalanji language — Douglas Shire, Far North Queensland
A community-led initiative to retrieve, maintain, preserve and protect the local Kuku Yalanji language — brought to life through six beautifully illustrated early reader books for young children.
To retrieve, maintain, preserve and protect the Kuku Yalanji language — ensuring young children have access to culturally appropriate, linguistically accurate resources in their own language.
The full set of six Yalanji Early Readers is available to purchase from Mossman Support Services. Each book features simple, accurate Kuku Yalanji sentences with English translations and beautiful illustrations by local artists.
Also available in person at Mossman Support Services, 20 Mill St, Mossman Each title is a Kuku Yalanji word — building vocabulary and language gently throughout the series. First published 2017 First published 2017 First published 2017 First published 2017 First published 2018 First published 2018
The Early Readers project began with the Muruku Art Group — a creative community group that is part of Mossman Support Services. Key members, some involved for up to ten years, started and led the project from the ground up.
The Muruku Group brings together both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members, united by a shared commitment to language preservation and cultural pride. Contributors to each book are listed on the inside cover.
Vocabulary and language are carefully monitored throughout. Words and sentence patterns repeat and build across the series to support progressive language learning — just as good early readers should.
The books are reaching children and communities across multiple channels. Up to 40 copies of each reader purchased to support the Kuku Yalanji Language Teaching Programme from Prep to Year 4 Sets gifted to primary schools and local, state and national libraries to ensure the widest possible access to the language All six books are being compiled into digital format for online access through the National Library of Australia USB recordings by Elder Clare Ogilvie provided to all schools for classroom pronunciation and language discussion From four books to six — and still growing. The first four Yalanji Early Readers — Wanyu Yinya, Budruji, Yalada and Minya — were published and distributed to Mossman State Primary School and community libraries. Two new titles — Jina and Wanjabu — were published, completing the six-book set. All books began being compiled into digital format for online access through the National Library. The original four books were revised, updated and reprinted alongside the two newest additions. Sets distributed to primary schools and local, state and national libraries. Audio USB recordings by Elder Clare Ogilvie provided to all schools.
Every purchase of the Yalanji Early Readers helps fund ongoing language preservation work. You can also support the broader work of Mossman Support Services through a donation or by getting in touch.
Yalanji
Early Readers
Own a piece of
living language
The
six books
Wanyu Yinya
Budruji
Yalada
Minya
Jina
Wanjabu
Born from the
Muruku Art Group
Making their way into the
community
Mossman State Primary School
Schools & Libraries
National Library Digital Archive
Audio Learning Resources
A growing
legacy
Support language
preservation
Children, Youth & Family — Language & Culture
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Project Mission
📚 Complete Set of 6 Books
$50
for the complete set of 6
✦ 6 beautifully illustrated books
✦ Kuku Yalanji text with English translations
✦ Local artist illustrations
✦ Reviewed by Kuku Yalanji Elders & Language Advisory Group
Book 1 · 2017
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Book 2 · 2017
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Book 3 · 2017
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Book 4 · 2017
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Book 5 · 2018
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Book 6 · 2018
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The story behind the project
Elder-reviewed language
The Kuku Yalanji Language Advisory Group, language teachers and Kuku Yalanji Elders review and standardise all language and spelling.
Local artist illustrations
Each book is illustrated by local artists, giving the series a distinctly community-made and culturally grounded feel.
English translations included
English translations appear at the bottom of every page, making the books accessible to the wider community and supporting learning for non-speakers.
Audio recordings available
A USB with audio recordings by Kuku Yalanji Elder Clare Ogilvie is provided to all schools to support pronunciation and spoken language learning.
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2017
Four books published
2018
Two more books & digital archiving
2019
Revised, reprinted & expanded distribution
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