This collection of short stories is about kids living at the Top End of Australia. Ten-year-old Burrki misses his parents who are away on ceremonial business, so decides to walk to where they are – he thinks it shouldn’t take him more than three days. Brothers Namanji and Bulak go off on a fishing adventure in their canoe. A mysterious big fish takes their line and when it finally lets go, they are far out to sea. Mardjibi’s dad has had an accident at work so has to go by Flying Doctor to a hospital in Darwin – it’s Mardijibi’s first time in the city when she visits him. Brolga and his family go on a hunting expedition, sleeping in a cave and drinking billy tea. He ends up with plenty of barramundi to take home. Maidje and her cousin go bush with her mother to learn how to harvest pandanus for weaving, and how to make natural dyes. When they get hungry, they catch and kill turtles and snakes to eat.
Traditional ways of life, including beliefs and kinship, are incorporated into these adventure stories by author Jane Garlil Christophersen which are firmly set in present day Northern Territory. The boys lost at sea use a firestick to signal and are collected by motorboat. Fishing is done with nylon lines and buckets but the catch is respectfully shared with animals. The thrill of close encounters and the joys of reunion with family are written at a pace that suits readers who are consolidating their skills. Christine Christophersen offers complementary charcoal drawings.
From the book: ‘Jane’s stories are about the daily wonders of life in the bush and include messages about respect and the importance of caring for our environment. She hopes that her stories remind parents and children of those small miracles that happen in our world.’
Jane Christophersen is an elder of the Bunitj clan who live in what is now Kakadu National Park.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
