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  • Published: 15 March 2022
  • ISBN: 9780143778943
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32

Rocky and Louie




A heartfelt story about the bond between two brothers and their special connection to country. Illustrated by CBCA award-winning picture-book creator Dub Leffler, and written by acclaimed singer/storyteller Phil Walleystack and award-winning children’s author Raewyn Caisley.

Louie’s big brother, Rocky, has big dreams and wants to chase them. But Louie doesn’t want him to forget where he belongs . . .

A heartfelt story about the bond between two brothers and their special connection to country. Illustrated by CBCA award-winning picture-book creator Dub Leffler, and written by acclaimed singer/storyteller Phil Walleystack and award-winning children’s author Raewyn Caisley.

  • Published: 15 March 2022
  • ISBN: 9780143778943
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32

About the authors

Phillip Walleystack

Phil Walleystack is a singer-songwriter, musician, writer, entrepreneur and ambassador for Aboriginal arts in Western Australia. For the past decade Phil has been performing across the globe in the USA, Middle East, Germany, France, China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Phil is also a presenter and cultural advisor for the popular NITV series Aussie Bush Tales and a broadcaster at 100.9fm Noongar Radio for the national radio program, Indigenous Beats, promoting Aboriginal music and artists. Phil was raised in country Western Australia, where he was taught traditional songs and dance and how to survive in the bush by his elders. He is passionate about promoting reconciliation and diversity through sharing stories of Noongar culture and celebrating differences between cultures.

Raewyn Caisley

Raewyn Caisley was born in New Zealand but has lived in Australia, in Fremantle, WA, for more than half her life, with her husband Terry and their son Jack. Raewyn is the author of books for younger readers that include bestselling Aussie Bites and Nibbles titles, and the picture books Hello From Nowhere and Something Wonderful. Hello From Nowhere won the 2015 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Australia and New Zealand, was shortlisted for the 2016 Adelaide Festival Awards and the WA Premier's Book Awards, and was a CBCA Notable Book in 2015. Something Wonderful was short-listed for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for children's Literature, won the 2016 Speech Pathology Australia book of the Year Award, and was a 2017 CBCA Notable Book.

Dub Leffler

Dub Leffler is descended from the Bigambul people of south-west Queensland. He began his visual arts career as an animator and has worked as a muralist and art teacher and collaborated with internationally recognised illustrators such as Colin Thompson, Shaun Tan and Banksy. He has illustrated twenty-three books for children, including Sorry Day, by Coral Vass, which won the 2019 CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books, and Black Cockatoo, by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, which was a 2019 CBCA Honour Book. He is also the author-illustrator of the acclaimed picture book, Once there was a boy. He travels around Australia and the world helping children make illustrations of their own.

Praise for Rocky and Louie

A story that is a gift to Australia. . . Rocky and Louie is about belonging, caring, understanding, dreams and, above all, about love.

Heather Zubek, The West Australian

Rocky and Louie takes a topic dear to the hearts of many young Australians, namely football, and weaves this into a narrative that underlines the sacred connection to country and culture for First Australians . . . a heartfelt testament to the strength, resilience and dignity of Aboriginal family life and culture.

Sue Warren, https://losangzopa.wordpress.com/2020/05/23/in-this-together-reconciliation-week-2020-rocky-and-louie/

Two close brothers have a special connection not only to each other but to country. A special book highlighting Indigenous customs, with stunning illustrations.

Margaret Hamilton

A powerful story about the love and bonds shared between brothers . . . [and] being connected to our heritage whatever that may be.

Barbara Braxton, https://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/2020/05/12/rocky-and-louie/

This is a wonderful picture book about Indigenous Australians. It details the bond between two brothers and their special connection to country. The collaboration works seamlessly between co-authors Phil Walleystack, a Noongar man who is a singer and storyteller, and Raewyn Caisley, an award-winning writer. They, in turn have then collaborated with celebrated illustrator Dub Leffler who is a descendant of the Bigampul people. His pastel illustrations are detailed and capture the essence of the story. The book is suited to pre-school and lower primary school children. Highly commended.

Patricia Halsall, Magpies

Discover more

Video
The Hon. Kim Beazley AC reads ROCKY AND LOUIE by Phil Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley and Dub Leffler

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC is the Governor of Western Australia. Find ROCKY AND LOUIE at your local bookstore: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/rocky-and-louie-9780143786528 #RockyandLouie #KimBeazley #PhilWalleystack #Raewyn Caisley #DubLeffler

Video
Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP reads ROCKY AND LOUIE by Phil Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley and Dub Leffler

ROCKY AND LOUIE by Phillip Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley and Dub Leffler. Read aloud by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP. In 2015, Ken Wyatt again made history as the first Indigenous member of the Federal Executive, after being sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Health. Find a copy of ROCKY AND LOUIE in your local bookstore: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/rocky-and-louie-9780143786528 #RockyandLouie #KenWyatt #PhilWalleystack #RaewynCaisley #DubLeffler