Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Jodi Toering and Valerie Brumby!
We’re welcoming back the superlative Jodi Toering, following the success of Night Watch! (illus. by Tannya Harricks, interview here) with her newest picture book, Rain on the Rock. What can I say? WOW! This book is incredible! Jodi’s beautiful, poetic prose seamlessly amalgamates with the exquisite illustrations by artist, Valerie Brumby of the Mutitjulu community. In a stunning ode to Uluru, language and art sparkle in a rich ‘kaleidoscope’ of colour, energy, life and music through one of the five ‘itjanu’ seasons; as dusky skies meet the dawn and backdrops shift, thunder rumbles and lightning rips, a pattering percussion of rain where kakalyalya (cockatoos) dance in a raucous joy. Wildlife is re-born in a divine display of magnificent, traditionally Indigenous dot paintings, all based around the sacred monolith that is Uluru and its nearby Kata Tjuta. From the front with its textural, large format aesthetic hardcover to the back with author and illustrator notes and a glossary of Aboriginal terms, Rain on the Rock is filled with a stream of sensory delights that will flood readers with awe, admiration and deep respect for this iconic piece of our land and its natural wonders.
We’re honoured that you could both be here to share your remarkable story with us, Jodi and Valerie! 🙂
About the Author
Jodi Toering was born in the Mallee, at Hopetoun, and grew up on a wheat farm outside a small town called Beulah. She is an author, artist, teacher and performer.
Her first picture book, Mallee Sky (Walker Books), was an Honour Book in the 2020 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Awards.
Please visit Jodi Toering at her website: Jodi Toering Author and on Instagram.
About the Illustrator
Valerie Brumby was born in Alice Springs and grew up in Areyonga and resides in the Mutitjulu community with her family. She is one of the core artists at Walkatjara Art. As a tour guide, she also teaches about Anangu culture to the region’s visitors.
Valerie loves to paint the purple Parakeelya desert flowers often found in season around the three sacred sites: Uluru, Kata-Tjuta and Attila (Mt. Conner).
More about Valerie Brumby can be found at: Walkatjara.
Rain on the Rock is available for purchase through Bright Light / Hardie Grant.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Jodi Toering wrote Rain on the Rock, Valerie Brumby illustrated it, and Hardie Grant Kids published it under their Bright Light imprint.
WHAT is it about?
Jodi: Rain on the Rock celebrates the rainy season, Itjanu, at Uluru and Kata Tjuta. When rainsong beats, waterholes fill, creatures stir, and the desert landscape bursts into life.
Valerie: This book is about Itjanu. After rain all the bush foods come out, tjulpu (the birds) are pukulpa (happy). There’s plenty of food for them. Anangu kids are happy – they go to the waterhole to swim. Ngangi (frogs) are singing out.
What is your favourite part of this book?
Jodi: My favourite part of this book would have to be Valerie’s sublime illustrations, especially the sunrise page. The colour palette is glorious, and her illustrations work in harmony with the text to bring the story of this iconic landscape to life, better than I could ever have imagined.
Valerie: My favourite part is the painting of Lunpa (Red-backed Kingfisher), sitting on a branch. I also like the painting of nyi-nyi (Zebra Finch) and arnguli (Bush Plums).
What media did you use to illustrate it?
Valerie: I used acrylic paint and punu (wooden stick) for the dot-work and mixed the colours for the background.
WHEN is its release / launch date?
Rain on the Rock was released on January 29th, 2005, and it launched at Uluru on February 15th.
Images courtesy of Jodi Toering.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Jodi: The Australian landscape is predominantly the main character of all of my picture books. Setting, place and a deep connection to the land – these are all fundamental elements of all my texts.
I have been drawn to Uluru since my early teenage years.
Uluru is the ancient, beautiful, beating heart of this country. When I am there, I feel an extraordinary connection that is hard to explain. I feel the story, culture and ancient wisdom thick in the air, and somehow, when I am there, I feel like I have come home.
Ultimately, I wanted to tell a story of the colour, beauty and the symphony of life in one of the most iconic, spiritual places in the country, especially when it rains.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Valerie: It’s important for Mutitjulu community kids and Yulara kids to learn about where they live, the animals, birds and mai wiru (good food). There are so many different animals. Tinka (Sand Goanna), Mingkeri (Spinifex Mouse), Ngiyari (Thorny Devil Lizard), Liru (Mulga Snake) and Papa Inura (Dingo).
Jodi: The red dirt at Uluru is not unlike the red dirt of my childhood home.
When I was growing up on a wheat farm in the Mallee, rain was the difference between thriving, surviving, or experiencing great hardship, especially in periods of drought.
The transformative, lifegiving effects of rain on the land, and the colour and beauty that burst forth after the rain will always be a source of joy and wonder.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Valerie:Â Kids love after the rain. They love catching Kurtchi-kurtchi (tadpoles).
Jodi:Â I think everyone can connect to rain and growth, from the very young, to the very old. Water is life.
HOW long did it take to write?
Jodi: The manuscript took over a year to write, but six years to hit the shelves.
How long did it take to illustrate?
Valerie: We were working on the illustrations for two years.
How do you feel about the text / illustrations? Do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
Valerie: Uwa (Yes). It makes me pukulpa (happy).
Jodi: The illustrations are evocative, joyous, emotive and mesmerizing. When you open a page, you feel like you are transported and situated within the very landscape. You can feel the heat and taste the rain. Valerie’s talent is phenomenal.
Thanks so much and congratulations on such an exquisite book, Jodi and Valerie! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #rainontherock #uluru #australianlandscapes #indigenousart #picturebook #justkidslit
