Yarn Quest series #1, 2 & 3
#1 The Search for the Story Realm
#2 The Great River Rescue
#3 The Power of the Heart
By Brooke Scobie illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
Brooke is a First Nations writer from Darkinjung land whose work here is illustrated by First Nations illustrator, Jade Goodwin, whose work focuses on diversity and representation. Yarn Quest started as a First Nations-led children’s podcast written by the Awesome Black team and listeners of all ages.
All three Yarn Quest stories have common themes of caring for country, friendship, family and storytelling.
The Search for the Story Realm introduces the three main characters: Tane, a cheeky mischievous boy who has trouble with words sometimes but nevertheless develops into a storyteller; Sibyl, his close friend and neighbour who loves to dance and has a deep connection with trees; and Pania, Tane’s older sister who is linked to rivers. Tane discovers the Story Realm and rescues Fable a story spirit who can’t control their magic, can’t finish a story, tells lies and can’t go home but all is resolved, helped by the three children.
The Great River Rescue the focus is more on Pania who reveals that ‘I’m going by P now and my pronouns are they and them,’ p 12. The three children help the Elder people from the Story Realm as the great River is dying. They discover a huge factory that is polluting the water. P’s special connection to rivers is of vital importance in removing the corruption and saving the country.
The Power of the Heart has Sibyl in the main role in saving the land from Heartbreak and ‘protect the Heart of the Story Realm’. A sinister, smooth-talking, grey-faced villain, Vexorian, emerges who wants control of the land but is foiled by Sibyl, helped by Tane and P.
The plot is not strong on invention but follows traditional tropes. At regular intervals significant words and messages are printed in a larger different bold font which adds some fun and also will aid reader comprehension.
The strength of these stories is in their promotion of love of country, of story, and supporting your family and friends. There are many loving descriptions of Australian landscapes and iconic animals feature throughout. Readers unfamiliar with First Nations relationships with Country will gain some insights from reading these stories.
For readers who enjoy the Gould/Pritchard Guardian series featuring Wylah the Koorie Warrior.
Penguin 2024
This review first appeared in Magpies Magazine, reproduced with kind permission.
