Meet Ezy!
Ezy is a charming Staffordshire Terrier who is always learning—and helping children learn Dharawal language along the way! Building on Dr. Jodi Edwards’ previous book (Dharawal: Words, Phrases, and Activities), this picture book serves as a primer for teaching Dharawal. Each sentence is presented first in Dharawal, followed by English, with engaging illustrations by Amy-Lea Hill-Trindall.
To support learners, readers can access pronunciation guides at dharawalwords.com.au, which is helpful for both educators and young readers. The story is straightforward and easy to follow, allowing children to focus on the language without the distraction of a complex plot. The illustrations are bright, bold, and truly leap off the page, making learning vibrant and enjoyable.
Ezy Gets Food is part of the Dharawal Language Literacy Project.
About the Ezy Books Series
Dr. Jodi Edwards, author of Dharawal Colouring and Counting and Dharawal Words, Phrases, and Activities (illustrated by Merindah Funnell), developed this series to support revitalization of the Dharawal language. The series includes 11 primary readers featuring Jodi’s Staffordshire Terrier, Ezy, whom she “teaches” in Dharawal throughout the books.
Each book is written as if Jodi is teaching Ezy both his language and cultural heritage. They incorporate vocabulary from Jodi’s previous works, now expanded into sentences and phrases reflecting Dharawal cultural themes, such as the sea, birds, food gathering, rivers, colors, and directions. By 2025, the series will expand further to cover numbers, the Dharawal alphabet, and camp dogs.
For this project, Jodi collaborated with renowned Aboriginal artist Amy-Lea Trindall Hill, who brings each character to life with a distinctive First Nations perspective.
Each book is bilingual, with sentences in Dharawal followed by English translations. Since exact translations aren’t always possible, readers may encounter minor interpretive challenges, adding depth to the learning experience.
Additionally, Jodi is creating videos where she reads the stories using a dog puppet. These videos will be available at dharawalwords.com.au as soon as they’re completed.
About
Explore culinary diversity and cultural learning with "Ezy Gets Food: Ezy dhangmalanga. Ezy Learns Dharawal with Zahli," a delightful children's book penned by Jodi Edwards and vividly illustrated by Amy Lea Hill-Trindall. Join Ezy, the curious pet dog, and his friend Zahli on a fun-filled trip to the supermarket in search of a unique meal: kangaroo and emu meat.
As Ezy and Zahli navigate the aisles, they encounter a vibrant variety of foods, blending traditional bush tucker with modern supermarket offerings. This engaging tale not only highlights an adventurous grocery hunt but also subtly introduces children to the significance of traditional foods within contemporary settings.
Written in both English and Dharawal, this bilingual book provides an enriching reading experience, making it a valuable resource for fostering an appreciation of Aboriginal languages and cultural heritage among young readers. As part of a six-book series, "Ezy Gets Food" promises further exploration into the world of Ezy and his insightful adventures.
Ideal for parents, educators, and young food enthusiasts, "Ezy Gets Food: Ezy dhangmalanga" is more than just a charming story—it's a journey into understanding diversity, community, and cultural identity through the lens of everyday activities. Embark on this unique adventure with Ezy and Zahli, and savor the lessons of respect and curiosity it offers.
General Information
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ISBN: 9780645774337
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Publisher: Dharawal Publishing
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Publication Date: April 1, 2023
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Product Type: Book
