This beautiful picture book, Collecting colour, represents a new spirit of collaboration between white and black artistic communities, and an image of a hopeful future where children show us ways to live together in harmony and mutual respect.

Rose is an extremely blonde little girl, who has a best friend called Olive. Their families live in the Top End of the Northern Territory in Australia. Olive's mother, Karrang, makes beautiful coloured baskets, mats and bags from pandanus leaves. Rose and Olive go along with Karrang and Aunty to collect the softest shoots of pandanus leaves at the very top of the spiky palm. They learn how to collect yellow colour from the roots of a small, sun-bright bush and blush-red colour from a berry bush. The girls share the close family experience of catching and cooking a glorious big silver barramundi for supper, and of learning to weave with the dyed leaves.

First time author Kylie Dunstan spent twelve months working at Injalak Arts and Crafts in Arnhem Land, and her respect for the fibre artists of Gunbalanya is very evident. Her vibrant illustrations reflect the colours of the landscape – rich greens, browns, yellows and reds. She uses a collage effect to give the woven artefacts visual depth, and changing 'camera angles' to lend vitality and a sense of fun as the figures 'move' energetically across the double page spreads.

This is a luscious picture book that should engage young children in discussion about friendship, family and ways of living with the land. Older children will appreciate the detail and nuances of the story and its artistic realisation.

Jenni Connor
Writing and education consultant