In this beautifully illustrated book, the author brings us a collection of stories, as told to him by his grandmother. In these stories, people are rewarded for acts of kindness, such as the Binjali people, who are rewarded for their hospitality by the Great Spirit with a big lake, filled with tasty fish. However, many of the stories hold a cautionary note: the children who stray too far from their People and fall into the ocean are turned into dolphins by Boomali the sea spirit. Two hunters who trespass into a neighbour’s land and lie about it are turned into kangaroos by the Great Spirit Baiame – so that they will be hunted by the offended People.
This book illuminates the way in which story has the power to bridge all generations and cultures. We are also shown how stories can echo from one generation to another. The tales in this collection were passed down verbally from a grandmother to her grandchildren, to then be shared in the written word, keeping the power of these stories alive.
Despite the cautionary note to these stories, the accompanying illustrations are full of vibrant colour, with many displaying the traditional dot-painting technique. Young readers will enjoy the bright colours and rich detail of each full-page illustration.
Included at the beginning of this book is an explanation of symbols used in Aboriginal art (which the author explains is helpful for this particular book, (but should not be considered comprehensive due to varying interpretations.)
Use of this book in a classroom setting may provide a platform for discussing ways of telling story, Aboriginal art techniques, preservation of Australian Aboriginal languages, and the use of ‘cautionary tales’ as a method of providing guidance and instructing young people to listen to authority figures.
Artist and writer, C. Dan Purches, whose Aboriginal name is Naiura, learned his art through his mother. His maternal grandfather was a member of the Burramadagal clan of the Dharrug tribe. His people frequented the Parramatta River rea of NSW.
Other books in this series are ‘Tales of my Grandmother’s Dreamtime’ and ‘Ever More Tales of My Grandmother’s Dreamtime’.
Series Title: Tales of My Grandmother's Dreamtime Book no 1
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
