This is a story about a young koala named Borobi who notices that the stars have disappeared from the night sky due to light pollution and works with his friends to bring them back. Independent author Shannon Best approached me to illustrate the Borobi the Koala and the Starry Night book.
This book holds a significant educational purpose, aiming to teach children about light pollution and its effects on animals. It also serves as a platform to showcase the rich language of the aboriginal and native people of Australia. The name Borobi, for instance, is derived from a dialect used by the Yugambeh people, an indigenous Australian group from the Gold Coast region.
The word for Koala varies in each aboriginal language. In Australia, there are over 250 Indigenous languages, including 800 dialects. Each language is unique to a specific place and people. This book is designed to be adaptable, with the word 'Borobi' (Koala) changing to match the dialect used in the location where the book is sold or distributed, fostering a sense of inclusivity and relevance.
