Counting our Country

Counting our Country is a bilingual counting book from Jill Daniels, a Ritharrŋu and Madarrpa artist who lives in Ngukurr in South-East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.  

Jill’s paintings of animals found on her country celebrate her distinctive style and bold use of colour. Children will love counting the animals from 1 to 10 as they turn the pages.

Each double-page spread features the name of the animal in Ritharrŋu, Jill’s traditional language, and in English. A guide on ‘How to pronounce the Ritharrŋu animal names’ appears at the back of the book and encourages readers and young children to see if they can say them.

Counting our Country recognises the value of developing cultural literacy by introducing language and art in the early years.

Jill Daniels is a Ritharrŋu and Madarrpa woman from South East-Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. She has been painting for many years and lives in Ngukurr, a remote community nestled on the banks of the Roper River. Jill is known for her painting style of depicting animals from her country in bold colours. Counting our Country is her first book.