Counting our Country by Jill Daniels

Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN 9781925768657. 11pp. board book.
(Age: 1+) Highly recommended. This beautifully coloured, bright counting book is a lovely addition to board books for young children. Featuring different animals that the author has found in her country of SE Arnhem Land, young children will be entranced by the bold colours of the goanna, magpie geese, buffaloes and bull sharks. All the illustrations are set against a solid colour and each figure that is to be counted has a brightly hued outline, making it stand out against the page.
Each number, 1 to 10, has a double page spread, with the name of the animal featured in in Ritharrnu, Jill's Aboriginal language, and in English. At the back of the book is a double page spread which gives the pronunciation of the Ritharrnu words, sounds and spellings and a short quiz for the reader and adult to see if they can say the Ritharrnu animal names.
This book is not only an ideal way to teach young children their numbers, it will also give an understanding of another Australian language and an insight into Indigenous language and art for both child and adult. It is ideal for both home, classroom and library.
Pat Pledger