The Ice Is Coming

The Ice Is Coming follows Wirrun, a young Aboriginal man living in modern Australia who discovers he can sense ancient spirits from Indigenous mythology. When signs of supernatural danger appear across the land, Wirrun must embrace his emerging role as a defender against dark forces. The narrative connects contemporary Australian life with traditional Aboriginal dreamtime stories and beings known as the Happy Folk. As an impending supernatural winter threatens the continent, Wirrun undertakes a journey that bridges two worlds - the everyday present and the realm of ancient spirits. The story incorporates elements of aboriginal folklore, including nature spirits and mystical creatures, while exploring one person's discovery of his heritage and power. Wirrun must navigate between his life in modern society and his growing connection to traditional ways. This children's fantasy novel examines themes of cultural identity, coming of age, and the enduring presence of ancient wisdom in the modern world. The book creates a unique fusion of contemporary and traditional storytelling that highlights the ongoing relevance of Indigenous Australian mythology.

Readers appreciate how the book blends Aboriginal Australian mythology with modern fantasy elements. Many note it introduces young readers to Indigenous folklore through relatable characters. Parents and teachers mention using it to teach children about Australian culture. Readers highlight the detailed world-building and slow-building tension. Multiple reviews praise the protagonist Wirrun's character development from hesitant to brave. Some readers find the pacing too slow in the first third. A few mention difficulty keeping track of the various mythological beings without prior knowledge of Aboriginal legends. Several reviews note the dated portrayal of Indigenous culture (book published 1977). Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (219 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (16 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (28 ratings) "A unique fantasy that respects and celebrates Aboriginal culture" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes time to get going but rewards patient readers" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Patricia Wrightson incorporated Aboriginal Australian mythology into her works at a time when few other authors were exploring these cultural traditions in children's literature 🌿 "The Ice Is Coming" is the first book in The Wirrun Trilogy, which follows an Aboriginal teen who must protect Australia from ancient spirits ❄️ The book's central threat - the ice-cold Ninya creatures - is based on Aboriginal stories of evil ice spirits that bring destruction from the south 📚 Wrightson won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1986, becoming the first (and so far only) Australian to receive this honor 🖋️ Though non-Indigenous herself, Wrightson spent much of her life in rural New South Wales among Aboriginal communities, which deeply influenced her writing and understanding of the land