Just So Stories

Indigenous Literacy Foundation

April 2026
Hardback
ISBN 9781922592712
RRP $29.99

Before the Japanese bombed Darwin in World War II, they attacked my grandfather’s Country. Not many people outside the Tiwi Islands know about my people’s role in the war. This is the story of one of our war heroes, my grandfather Louie Purraputimali Munkara

Tiwi author brings untold WWII story to life in new children’s book

I am sad that I didn’t get this in time for ANZAC Day but of course, you should still get it into your collection for more than just that. This is an important untold slice of history that needs to be told and will sit beautifully alongside even secondary studies.

Alongside more of Aboriginal storytelling and creatives in children’s lit, it has been so exciting and enlightening for me personally to now be seeing more from our other First Nations groups such as Torres Strait Islanders and Tiwi. Some readers will remember my review of Tiwi in Paris, now shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA awards.

Mavis proudly recounts the history of her grandfather’s – and the other Tiwi – part in the defence and support of the far north during the war in the Pacific and the threat of the Japanese forces. Written in both Tiwi and English, this will provide such an insight into the role of the Black Watch/Black Diggers and, in particular, the quite extraordinary rescues and actions of grandfather Louie.

When an American DC-3 makes an emergency landing near the mission, and the plane is abandoned, their little part of Tiwi becomes a target for the Japanese bombers. Luckily after one such bombing raid there is only one casualty. But there was more drama to come.

The ship Don Isidro is wrecked and Louie leads a rescue for any survivors. Sadly only three were saved but Louie’s heroics didn’t end there. When a Japanese plane was shot down, he also galvanised the Tiwi into search parties and five airmen were rescued – and promptly despatched to Cowra prison camp.

These brave Tiwi also were ahead of the game in warning Darwin of an imminent threat – which was ignored and we do know the history of that. When we speak of truth telling and the real history that should be taught in our schools, it is is stories such as this one that must be included.

I am certainly not saying that our white male defence forces should be disregarded but let’s be honest, the role of women and of First Nations personnel has long been left out of curriculum studies in particular and the general public knowledge as well. It is well and truly time to redress that ignorance.

Along with the dual language text Mavis’ own illustrations, hand drawn and coloured with pencil, are absolutely charming, and a wonderful and very personal accompaniment to her family history. Please do your collection a favour and get hold of this one – and also talk it up to your Humanities staff to add to those collections that focus on wartime, ANZAC and Remembrance Day as well as cross-cultural perspectives.

It’s a 5 🌺🪖🌴🛩️👨🏾for an absolute must-add.