Udya Walba | Come Understand Udya Walba | Come Understand
Powered by Books.by

A First Nation Story

Lizzy the Clever Dhagany

by Melanie Kemp

About The Book

Lizzy the Clever Dhagany is a First Nations children’s story shared through the knowledge of Yuwi Elders from the Mackay region of Queensland. Set along the warm, winding rivers of Yuwi Country, the story follows Lizzy, a clever saltwater crocodile, as she teaches her young yalo dhagany important lessons about patience, safety, and survival.

Through gentle storytelling and engaging illustrations, children are introduced to Yuwi language words, woven naturally throughout the story to support learning and understanding. The book shares cultural knowledge about family roles, caring for young ones, and respecting the rhythms of the natural world.

This story celebrates the wisdom passed down through Elders, the importance of observation and listening, and the deep connection between language, Country, and culture. Lizzy the Clever Dhagany is ideal for children, families, and educators seeking culturally respectful resources that support both storytelling and Aboriginal language learning.

Udya Walba | Come Understand

Udya Walba | Come Understand

Preserving First Nations languages and culture through authentic storytelling, educational resources, and language-based learning books.

At Udya Walba, (come understand) our bookstore celebrates the strength, beauty, and survival of First Nations languages through culturally respectful books created to educate, inspire, and preserve knowledge for future generations. Our collection includes children’s stories, bilingual language books, cultural learning resources, and storytelling experiences that weave Aboriginal language naturally into each journey. The Udya Walba bookstore is more than a place to purchase books. It is a space dedicated to keeping living languages strong, supporting cultural learning, and honouring the knowledge shared by Elders, language custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia. Through story-based learning, readers connect with Country, culture, kinship, animals, and traditional knowledge while building familiarity with Aboriginal words and meanings. Our growing collection supports: — Schools and educators seeking culturally respectful learning resources — Families wanting children to engage with Aboriginal languages through storytelling — Communities passionate about language preservation and cultural continuity — Organisations building deeper understanding of First Nations culture and perspectives Many of our books introduce language in gentle, age-appropriate ways, allowing readers to learn naturally through story, repetition, imagery, and connection. The bookstore also supports sustainable publishing approaches, ensuring language resources remain accessible while respecting cultural knowledge and storytelling traditions. Udya Walba proudly supports the continuation of First Nations voices, stories, and languages by helping make culturally grounded educational resources available to learners, families, educators, and communities throughout Australia. Inspired by the growing movement to preserve and revitalise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, our bookstore contributes to the sharing of living knowledge through authentic storytelling and educational resources.

More Books by Udya Walba | Come Understand

Arie the Wanmal and Her Tree in Yuwi Country

First Nation Yuwi Language Book

Arie the Wanmal and Her Tree in Yuwi Country is a heart-warming children’s story that introduces young readers to Yuwi language, culture and connection to Country as they follow Arie, a little wanmal (koala), learning about her body, her eucalyptus tree and the world around her.

Younga Bauru Journey: A Dreamtime Tale

First Nation Story Yuwi Language Book

Younga Bauru Journey is more than a children’s story—it is a First Nations Yuwi language book that shares language, culture and connection to Country through the journey of Younga Bauru (mother turtle) and her yalo bauru (baby turtles). Through their journey from the ocean to the shore and sea, young readers are introduced to Yuwi words while discovering the importance of caring for Country and keeping language and cultural knowledge strong for future generations.

Tim and the Dhugnany (Goanna)

First Nation Story Yuwi Language Book

Tim and the Dhugnany is a First Nations Yuwi language picture book that introduces children to Yuwi words through storytelling. As Tim and his faithful wandi journey through Country, young readers discover Yuwi language connected to animals, nature and everyday life, while learning about the importance of caring for and respecting Country.

Big Family, Big Love

First Nation Yuwi Language Book

Big Family, Big Love is a First Nations Yuwi language story celebrating family, culture, Country and belonging. Through Gagura and her big, loving family, young readers are introduced to Yuwi words while discovering the important role family and Elders play in sharing language, knowledge and culture across generations.