Memories of growing up on Mer (Murray Island) with three grandmothers have inspired Torres Strait Islander author Merwez Whaleboat's debut children's book, 'Meb Ata: Grandfather Moon'.

Ms Whaleboat, a Meriam woman from Mer in the Eastern Torres Strait, spent five years bringing the story to life alongside Torres Strait Islander illustrator Sharon Phineasa.

Published by Aboriginal Studies Press, the book explores family, kinship, spirituality and cultural knowledge through the relationship between a young girl and her grandmother.

Set on Mer, the story follows Swana and her grandmother Kaied as they go night fishing near Gelam, a hill shaped like a dugong, under the light of Meb Ata, Grandfather Moon.

Ms Whaleboat drew inspiration from her childhood and the three women who helped raise her.

"The influences in the book are based around three grandmothers who had a hand in raising me," she said.

Ms Whaleboat recalled growing up without electricity, using hurricane lamps, cooking over open fires and spending time fishing around the island.

Those experiences helped shape a story exploring the role of women in raising children and passing down cultural knowledge.

She explained the book represents four generations of women living together, with Grandfather Moon watching over them.

"There's four generations living inside that house and the only male entity is Grandfather Moon who's watching over everyone," Ms Whaleboat said.

"It shows that relationship between those women and how strong that bond is."

Ms Whaleboat, whose first language is Meriam Mir, has worked across education, acting, poetry and cultural storytelling.

The project began when she came across an invitation from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) calling for aspiring writers to submit their work.

She submitted an early draft of 'Grandfather Moon', which attracted the organisation's interest and began a five-year journey towards publication.

The book's illustrations were created by Ms Phineasa, a descendant of the Ayth-Koedal (Crocodile) and Dhoeybaw (Wild Yam) clans of Dauan and Saibai Islands in the Gudamalugal region of Zenadth Kes (Top Western Torres Strait).

Drawing on her own Island upbringing, Ms Phineasa worked closely with Ms Whaleboat and Elders from Mer to ensure the illustrations reflected the island's geography and cultural connections.

"Being an Island girl myself, bringing the island scenery, atmosphere and cultural connections of the Torres Strait to life through my illustrations came naturally," Ms Phineasa said.

"However, as I come from the Gudamalugal region of Zenadth Kes (Top Western part of Torres Strait), I worked closely with Aunty Merwez and Elders from Murray Island to guide my portrayal of places specific to Mer."

Ms Phineasa's approach included accurately representing the position of Mer in relation to Dauar and Waier while capturing the relationships between characters and the atmosphere of Island life.

She also drew inspiration from traditional stories shared by Elders and childhood experiences of fishing, gathering mud mussels, tending gardens and watching her grandfather create traditional artefacts.

These memories influenced the colours, scenery and cultural details throughout the book.

"I draw my inspiration from that well of cultural experience, knowledge and wisdom," Ms Phineasa said.

"It guided the colours, scenery and cultural details in my illustrations, as well as the warmth of the relationships between the characters."

Ms Whaleboat praised the illustrator's contribution, describing how the artwork had brought her writing to life.

"She's brought my words to life with her pictures," Ms Whaleboat said.

"I want children to look at the pictures and parents to read the words and look at the pictures."

Beyond sharing her childhood experiences, Ms Whaleboat hopes the publication encourages more Torres Strait Islander writers to produce literature for younger generations.

She believes there remains a shortage of children's books specifically focused on Torres Strait Islander cultures and experiences.

"There isn't enough reading material that has a specific focus on Torres Strait culture, as in storybooks," Ms Whaleboat said.

"I just want to encourage all my people to write more, get more literature out there."

'Meb Ata: Grandfather Moon' was released on October 10 through Aboriginal Studies Press.

The 32-page hardcover picture book is aimed primarily at children aged four to eight and is available for $27.95, with a digital edition priced at $13.99.