Inspired by Murujuga’s ancient rock art, Pilbara boy Kaydn Barrow creates kids thylacine story

Inspired by one the Pilbara’s richest prehistoric sites young Kaydn Barrow, pictured, has become a published author as part of an essay series offering alternative learning experiences for children with learning difficulties. Eight-year-old Kaydn Barrow’s story, Cutie the Thylacine, was recently published in the national Junior Writers Club Series — an online writing platform for Australian students led by Melissa Gijsbers. Kaydn’s piece was inspired by a trip to Karratha, where he visited Murujuga, a site with Indigenous rock art dating back 60,000 years. The young Hedland writer, pictured, who has dyslexia, was selected as one of 42 children from around the country to be part of an anthology of local stories. His work forms part of an anthology written by members of the Junior Writers Club titled A Most Unusual Pet, and follows a series called A Funny Thing Happened ... Kaydn’s mum Ree Barrow said she was proud of her son for overcoming his learning challenges. “He’s had such an aversion to reading and writing and you can see the anxiety and he’ll just give up, but with this and with programs that allow you to read out loud ... he’s just reading ... it’s really boosted his confidence,” she said. Ms Barrow first noticed there was an issue with her son’s learning when she started to homeschool her children during COVID-19 shutdowns. She said the Junior Writers Club offered an exciting alternative for Kaydn with online, interactive and audio-based lessons available. “For us, we’ve realised the anxiety and the behavioural implications it’s had on him, so we’re now trying to concentrate on that,” she said.