Tania Crampton-Larking's Brightest Wild introduces young readers to the Australian bush through the story of an eleven-year-old girl adapting to a new life.
Released on Wednesday, the novel follows Alex, who moves from London to Adelaide after her mother's engagement.
She must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new stepbrother, Koen.
In this unfamiliar world, Alex finds comfort in the natural environment, particularly a magnificent tree that becomes a symbol of resilience and strength.
A proud Mirning woman, Ms Crampton-Larking said her cultural heritage shaped the themes of the book.
"Listening to and reading Mirning Elders' incredible life stories fascinated me when I was growing up," she said.
"This encouraged me to want to learn about the art of storytelling.
"My Mirning heritage motivated me to include Mirning characters' stories in the book, and to highlight my people's deep love and respect for Nature and family, and other strong values such as protecting and caring for Country."
Connection to Country plays a central role in the story.
Ms Crampton-Larking said she wanted to reflect the deep and ongoing relationship between First Nations people and the land.
"In order to tell a story about Country and stunning bushland, I felt it was vital for me to include First Nations characters in 'Brightest Wild'," she said.
"Emphasising tens of thousands of years of First Nations peoples' continuing connection to Countries is incredibly important in such a narrative."
The book also explores environmental themes, particularly the effects of climate change and the importance of protecting the natural world.
Ms Crampton-Larking hopes young readers will take away a message of responsibility and respect for the environment.
"I wanted beautiful values to shine through the story, to show how culture, respect and love help everyone and Nature to grow and to thrive," she said.
"When facing awful bullying behaviours, and other problems, I hope that readers might be able to draw strength from respectful, values-driven characters who understand the strength of togetherness."
As a black&write! Fellowship recipient, she encourages aspiring Indigenous writers to pursue their storytelling ambitions.
"It was through connecting with others in my community that I found out about writing competitions and other opportunities to develop as a writer," Ms Crampton-Larking said.
'It took me years to develop my stories, and it can take a long time sometimes, but with dedication, patience and passion, stories really shine."
Brightest Wild aims to inspire young readers to engage with the natural world while fostering cultural understanding.
"I hope that these stories can inspire young readers to explore the natural world around them, in order to understand, and to feel the sheer beauty of Nature and Country," Crampton-Larking said.
Available for purchase now, the text highlights the importance of connection—to land, culture, and community—while encouraging a new generation to care for the environment.
