Bapa’s Last Canoe is a simple, heartfelt picture book about Bapa, the author’s grandfather, a traditional canoe maker, and the making of his last canoe. Bapa takes his three daughters (the author’s mother and aunties) away on a canoe ride to connect to family and Country for the last time before his daughters leave for boarding school in the city

They set off on the long journey and along the way they camp out and meet family. They fish, roast periwinkles and longbums on the fire, tell stories and laugh. It is the last journey they make before the daughters say goodbye to Country and go to school in the city.

“I love my country so much. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye, but I know one day we’ll all return… and we’ll sing, tell stories, fish and laugh again like we used to in Bapa’s canoe.”

Maree McCarthy Yoelu is a Wadjigany woman from the western Wagait region in the Northern Territory. She grew up in Daly River and now lives in Darwin where she works in radio. Liman (Bapa) is Maree’s grandfather. She writes to keep his stories and the Batjamalh language alive. Maree’s picture book, Brother Moon, also illustrated by Samantha Campbell (nee Fry), was shortlisted for the 2021 Environment award for Children’s Literature. She has also contributed to the anthology Unlimited Futures. Maree works in Darwin in numerous areas of radio for ABC.

Samantha Campbell is descended from the Dagiman people of the Katherine region in the Northern Territory. As a child she lived in remote communities across the Top End. Samantha is an accomplished artist and graphic designer living in Darwin. Her first picture book was Alfred’s War. Sam’s second book was Brother Moon, followed by Bidhi Galing: Big Rain , Big, Big Love and Beach Song.