Come Home, Bigibila

By Corey Tutt and Irma Gold

Illustrated by Jessica Tedim

Allen & Unwin 2026

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Corey is Kamilaroi man and Bigibila is his totem animal so this story about a lost echidna is rather special. This is his first collaboration with Irma Gold, an author in her own right but also an editor and teacher. Jessica is a Gamilaroi woman, a multidisciplinary artist inspired by land, spirit and language.

 

Bigibila is happy and comfortable growing up with her mum. She enjoys the rich red sand beneath her feet, the sound of animal songs, the taste of lime in the air. One day she goes for a walk on her own and gets lost. She is picked up by Jinarr, a Kamilaroi woman who puts her in a shelter with other echidnas. Bigibila is not happy there – the air doesn’t taste right, the animals sound strange and the food is only sloppy meatshake – so she has to find her way back to Country.

This story is all about the importance of home, family, and Country. It will entertain and inform young children who enjoy stories about young animals. The illustrations are very attractive with strong earth colours, colourful backgrounds, and simplified shapes. I particularly love Mum who is easily distinguished on each page because she wears some gorgeous red glasses. There are a few Gamilaraay words woven into the text, mainly names of animals, so children will have no trouble understanding what they mean.

This is a useful story for school ibraries as it has an extensive information section at the back describing the life cycle of the echidna, echidna armour (the spikes help them swimming!), and what’s on an echidna menu, all written and presented in an attractive accessible style.