Throughout 2024 we heard from a number of fascinating people from within the LIS workforce about their journeys into and throughout the profession. In this first edition of Library Stories for the year we speak to someone whose work regularly takes them into public libraries – author Isobel Bevis. Isobel,  a Wilman, Ballardong Noongar woman, has been visiting public libraries all around WA with her book Nedigar:Ancestors not only to for library storytimes, but to share Noongar language and culture more broadly.

Hi Isobel – thanks for talking with us. To start off, can you tell us about your journey to becoming a children's book author? 

IB: I didn't set out to be an author, it was not something I planned. During Covid to stay connected to Boodja and Moort (Country and Family) I wrote down stories my Kabarli (Nana) shared with me growing up, listening to her stories as a kid and remembering them as an adult is special. After encouragement from a good friend, I sent the story to Fremantle Press, lucky for me they loved the story. I do know that my Ancestors led me here, to this journey I am on!

Your most recent book Nedingar: Ancestors – a dual language Noongar–English picture book – tells the story of a young child who wants to meet their Ancestors – to know them, learn from them and follow their ways. Could you talk a little bit about what compelled you to write this book, and how you wanted it to connect with readers? 

IB: Growing up my Nan always said that if you connect to Boodja, you will always be with family, we spent a lot of time at the river, in the bush. Even as an adult, I still do that with my own family, visiting Minningup (in Collie) and camping especially during marroning season. So writing this book was to acknowledge and honour my Nan, her stories, and the relationship she taught me to have with Boodja and the power that comes from that. I would like my book to connect with readers – for them to fall in love with Country but also have a sense of responsibility to look after it. The book will explain to readers (children & adults) that Aboriginal people have a strong connection and belonging to Country because that's where our Ancestors are. I hope readers will understand that they can join us in looking after Country; we all have a shared responsibility to care for Country because looking after it means it's going to be there for a very long time.

You've been touring with Nedingar around school libraries and public libraries for the past year and a half. Can you talk about this experience and the role you think libraries can play in fostering not only a love for stories among young readers, but also in deepening their connection to Country, language and community? 

IB: I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing Nedingar at school and public libraries, the opportunity to share Noongar language and culture in this forum has been exceptional.

It is vital for all libraries across Australia to undertake the same journey as the libraries I have visited so all children have the opportunity to read our stories, written by us – there is no better way to learn.

Do you have any standout memories of visiting libraries, either as a child or during your career? 

IB: What I have noticed during my tours of libraries, and what wasn't in libraries when I was a child, is the way libraries are so much more a part of their community. Libraries are no longer a quiet place; they are a hub of activity and events. It is full of different people, but also the libraries cater for different people, which is beautiful to see. Books that are available in the library today were not when I was a child. The stories I heard from my Nan were not the same stories that were in books, because those books were written about us, and in most instances it was a negative viewpoint of us, and so I struggled as a child to find a book that I could relate to or want to read. That is not the case today, it is great to see libraries celebrating and embracing books that cater for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers. 

Are you working on anything new at the moment that you can share with us? 

IB: I am currently liaising with an editor regarding a piece of writing I submitted for an anthology that is due to be published in November this year, which is exciting and something I loved being involved with. It is a pinch-me moment, as a few of the authors involved are those I have followed and been in awe of for their writing, it really is special. As for another children's book, I am hoping to have something finished in a few months, just trying to juggle teacher and author responsibilities. For the moment, watch this space!

We like to finish our Library Stories column with some recommendations. Is there anything you are reading or watching at the moment that you would recommend to INCITE readers? IB: During the Christmas/January school holidays I usually spend the time reading books for professional learning, information that I add to my teaching toolbox. So I'm currently reading Antoinette Lattouf's book How to Lose Friends and Influence White People. I recommend the book for those wanting to unpack racism, understand the complexities for people of colour calling out racism, but more importantly, the need for Australia to acknowledge racism exists. To balance the heaviness of this reading, I am binge watching TV series on Prime, Cross, based on the books by James Patterson. If I'm being honest, I only watch during the day, I can't handle anything scary at night.