Téa&Belle Indigenous Book Club - Week 6

Two Mates

Author: Melanie Prewett

Illustrated by Maggie Prewett

WINNER – 2013 Speech Pathology Australia's Best Book for Language and Literacy (Indigenous children category) The true story of the special mateship between two boys who have grown up together in Broome in Australia’s north west.

Jack is Indigenous and Raf is a non-Indigenous boy who has Spina bifida.

The boys share their daily life as they search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni, fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheros.

The fact that Raf is in a wheelchair is only revealed at the end of the story.

Includes information about Spina bifida.

About the Author Melanie Prewett is the mother of Jack. She was inspired to write Two Mates after watching Jack and Raf's friendship develop since they were babies. Melanie set out to create a story which showed that physical disability is no barrier to true friendship. This is her first book. Maggie Prewett is the author's mother and Jack's grandmother.

She is descended from the Ngarluma people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her art is held in collections throughout Australia, and in recent years she has illustrated two other Magabala children's titles The Old Frangipani Tree at Flying Fish Point and The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper.

Watch here