person or book cover
Image courtesy of Magabala Books.
y separately published work icon Two Mates single work   picture book   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 2012... 2012 Two Mates
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Two Mates is the true story of the special mateship between two young boys who have grown up together in the coastal town of Broome in Australia's north-west.

'Jack is Indigenous and Raf is a non-Indigenous boy who has spinabifida.

Jack and Raf take the reader on a journey of their daily life growing up in Broome. Together 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.' (From the publisher's website.)

Exhibitions

Reading Australia

Reading Australia

This work has Reading Australia teaching resources.

Unit Suitable For

AC: Year 1 (NSW Stage 1)

Themes

Aboriginal history and culture, disability, family, friendship

General Capabilities

Ethical understanding, Intercultural understanding, Literacy, Personal and social

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

This work has teaching resources.

Notes

  • Dedication:

    To Jack and Raf: You show us the beauty and miracle of friendship. Keep shining. Love from Nanna Mag.

    To Raf, Azsa, Kim and Jim, Jack, Mia and my family: we are blessed with this beautiful gift of friendship. Mel.

Affiliation Notes

  • Writing Disability in Australia:

    Type of disability Spina bifida.
    Type of character Primary.
    Point of view First person.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Buying Picture Books as Christmas Presents? These Stories with Diverse Characters Can Help Kids Develop Empathy Helen Joanne Adam , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 13 December 2021;

— Review of The Patchwork Bike Maxine Beneba Clarke , 2016 single work picture book ; Two Mates Melanie Prewett , 2012 single work picture book ; My Shadow is Pink Scott Stuart , 2020 single work picture book ; I Want To Be A Superhero Breanna Humes , 2020 single work picture book

'Gifting children books can be about more than just giving them something to read. Books are portals to adventure, imagination and new experiences. Importantly, books can help children understand and appreciate themselves, and those around them.' (Introduction)

A Fresh Perspective Keira Jenkins , 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 8 February no. 644 2017; (p. 10)
'Magabala Books is gearing up to bring Aboriginal perspectives to primary school classrooms all over the country.'
[Review] Two Mates Graham Davey , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , August vol. 56 no. 3 2012; (p. 22)

— Review of Two Mates Melanie Prewett , 2012 single work picture book
Aboriginal Children's Literature : More Than Just Pretty Pictures Anita Heiss , 2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: Just Words? : Australian Authors Writing for Justice 2008; (p. 102-117) The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 7) The BlackWords Essays 2019;

'This essay explores how some recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authored titles have used local languages and personal histories - including complex stories which deal with the Stolen Generations - to engage and educate young Australian readers, while providing much needed inspiration to nurture Indigenous audiences.' (Source: Heiss, Anita, Aboriginal Literature for Children: More Than Just Pretty Pictures, 2015)

[Review] Two Mates Graham Davey , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , August vol. 56 no. 3 2012; (p. 22)

— Review of Two Mates Melanie Prewett , 2012 single work picture book
Buying Picture Books as Christmas Presents? These Stories with Diverse Characters Can Help Kids Develop Empathy Helen Joanne Adam , 2021 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 13 December 2021;

— Review of The Patchwork Bike Maxine Beneba Clarke , 2016 single work picture book ; Two Mates Melanie Prewett , 2012 single work picture book ; My Shadow is Pink Scott Stuart , 2020 single work picture book ; I Want To Be A Superhero Breanna Humes , 2020 single work picture book

'Gifting children books can be about more than just giving them something to read. Books are portals to adventure, imagination and new experiences. Importantly, books can help children understand and appreciate themselves, and those around them.' (Introduction)

Aboriginal Children's Literature : More Than Just Pretty Pictures Anita Heiss , 2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: Just Words? : Australian Authors Writing for Justice 2008; (p. 102-117) The BlackWords Essays 2015; (p. 7) The BlackWords Essays 2019;

'This essay explores how some recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authored titles have used local languages and personal histories - including complex stories which deal with the Stolen Generations - to engage and educate young Australian readers, while providing much needed inspiration to nurture Indigenous audiences.' (Source: Heiss, Anita, Aboriginal Literature for Children: More Than Just Pretty Pictures, 2015)

A Fresh Perspective Keira Jenkins , 2017 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 8 February no. 644 2017; (p. 10)
'Magabala Books is gearing up to bring Aboriginal perspectives to primary school classrooms all over the country.'
Last amended 24 Apr 2020 08:09:16
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  • Broome, Kimberley area, North Western Australia, Western Australia,
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