Landy couldn’t think of anything else but the football match that he was going to be playing on the weekend against the Laverton School. His English had improved enough for him to understand the rules of the game so he was able to play in the Mount Margaret team with his friend, Tim. At a critical moment in the game, however, an opposition spectator distracts Landy by calling him ‘a smartie pants’. Fortunately, Landy regains his confidence and goes on to win the award for best player on the ground. Landy, still puzzled about the prospect of ‘smart clothing’, goes with Tim to ask their teacher, Mr Milnes, what the spectator meant by his comments. O’Brien sensitively tackles the challenges in learning English for young Indigenous children, who while fluent in their home language, are expected to not only speak and understand English but also to be familiar with its countless idioms.
Stunning, realistic watercolour, gouache and pencil illustrations complement and enhance the story as well as provide an insight into an Aboriginal child’s life on a remote mission. The Wongutha language (followed by English translations in brackets) peppers the children’s conversations. A glossary and pronunciation guide conclude the book. Based on the childhood experiences of renowned educator and author, May O’Brien BEM descended from the Wongatha people of Western Australia, this is one of four stories that reveal the challenges faced by Aboriginal children growing up in missions in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Angela Leaney has close connections with the Wongutha people through her grandparents and great-grandparents.
Series: Badudu Stories
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
