For many 16-year-olds, dreams of football fields, cinema screens and having their name in lights is a distant vision; one for the future.

However for Mia Speed, her goal of providing a Wirangu language resource for kids in her community was realised early.

Inspired by her nieces and nephews who wanted to learn more about their language and culture, the Minya Marlu was created by the now 18-year-old during a school research project.

Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) and launched with ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware, teachers, students, and community members, Minya Marlu is the story of marlu (kangaroo), who is looking for her minya marlu (little kangaroo/joey).

The Wirangu language is traditionally spoken by the Wirangu people, who live on the west coast of South Australia, and as both the author and illustrator of the book, Ms Speed said Minya Marlu was important for the preservation of language and culture.

Last month, she returned to her former Lincoln Gardens Primary School in Port Lincoln to launch her first children's book written in Wirangu language.

"Writing a book in my traditional Aboriginal language holds significant meaning for several reasons," Ms Speed said.

"[I]ncluding cultural preservation to help my community and younger children to preserve part of their language; as an educational resource to be used in schools to teach both the Wirangu language itself and the cultural context; and promoting bilingual education that values Indigenous knowledge."

Yankunyjatjara and Wirangu woman and ILF ambassador, Shelley Ware, congratulated Ms Speed on her "stunning" book.

"Super proud of you," Ms Ware said.

"Hearing Mia share Wirangu language as she read her book and watching all of the children hanging off every word was extra special. Every adult in the room was bursting with pride, tears flowed with every Wirangu word spoken aloud."

Lincoln Gardens Principal, Sandra Spencer, said from a young age, many could see the potential Ms Speed had.

"Mia could have stopped at her research project, but she was determined to have her book published – that takes a lot of courage and determination, Ms Spencer said.

"It's amazing what she has achieved. Mia wanted to produce a book in her language that she could read to her nieces and nephews and now she is able to pass that on to the next generation of young readers."

She added: "Mia is an inspiring young woman that other young people can relate to. She has opened their eyes to what is possible."

Minya Marlu is the first book to emerge from the ILF's partnership with the Far West Language Centre.

Ms Speed said she hopes Minya Marlu will help to revitalise language for the next generation, noting language was part of her Aboriginal identity.

Currently studying at University in Adelaide, she said she hopes to create more books in the future.

Where's my Minya Marlu? (16 pp) by Mia Speed. Board Book, rrp: $14.99, ages 1-4. Language: Wirangu and English.