Ayu and the perfect moon by David Cox
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921720 22 2.
(Ages 6+) Recommended. Picture book. A reprinting of this fabulous
story, first published in 1984 is most welcome. With the new curriculum
having Asian Themes as one of its strands, then reprinting successful
and well loved books from the past is most apposite. Walker Books
(Australia) has republished many old Australian favourites, and none
more timely than this one.
The story tells of a young Balinese girl practicing for the Legong
dance to be performed in the village under the Banyan tree on the night
of the full moon.
As she practices, the village goes on with its everyday business and
the reader sees how the village operates, what the people do during the
day, how they live, as they all waits for the full moon. The night of
the full moon will see people coming from all over the area to join in
with dressing up, processions, dragon dancing, all to celebrate
the rise of the full moon. Ayu dances with her hands, feet and
eyes, aglow in her amazing red and gold costume, reprising a centuries
old tradition of classical dancing.
Pages at the end of the tale explain the story of the Legong dance,
with following pages about David Cox and why he wrote this tale. The
exquisite pen and wash pages are filled with colour and interest, and
children will learn a great deal about the culture of the people of one
of our closest neighbours.
Fran Knight