Vegamite, boomerangs, and Mum. How do any of those things connect to a children’s story about baptism? They offer a slice of Australian culture in this sweet and thoughtful book. Tidbits of the land down under flow through the book, setting the backdrop of a little girl, who learning about baptism.

Amara is excited about her eighth birthday and her grandparents visiting for the celebration and her baptism. But between bites of Jaffa cake Amara expresses apprehension and curiosity about what baptism means, and what comes after the ordinance. Her mother and father are perceptive and answer her questions clearly and kindly.  Later her granddad pulls out a boomerang, to play with Amara and her brother. They watch in awe as granddad skillfully throws the ‘rang that quickly returns to his open hands.  Baptism is like a boomerang, designed for return.

Granddad explains that our Heavenly Parents offer us ordinances to help us return to them. Baptism, properly performed, like a boomerang properly thrown, will help us come back.

The words and illustrations by Aussies, Sherrie L.M. Gavin and Tatiana Lawton sparkle with Australian charm. The writing is clear, fresh, fun, and the most insightful and delightful offerings I’ve read in the genre of baptism books.

At her baptism, Amara’s Granddad shared the connection of boomerangs and baptism, a reflection he had also shared so many years ago with Amara’s mum for her baptism. Then later outside Amara and her brother, recall Granddad’s instruction, “If you throw the ‘rang and it drops, pick it up, think about how to do better, and try again. Every time you try, you try your best.” The siblings work together,  trying again and again to throw the boomerang properly,  and then they finally do. Amara reflecting on their success and her good feeling from the baptism, she remarks, “It’s true isn’t it?”

It is. “Yes, Amara. Families are forever. We call all return to our Heavenly Parents.” Everyone, wherever they are in the world.