Tell Me Why

Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource

Title

Tell Me Why

Author

Robyn Templeton

Secondary Authors

Sarah Jackson

Illustrators

Robyn Templeton

Publisher, Date

Magabala Books, 2011

Audience

5-8yrs, Lower Primary, Primary

ISBN

1875641963

Language

English

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Subjects
1. Aboriginal Australians
2. Culture
3. Family
4. Respect
5. Skin colour
6. Stolen generations
Annotation

Based on a true story, ‘Tell Me Why’ is a picture book which explores how seven-year-old Sarah goes on a journey of self-discovery to find out about her Aboriginal heritage. Specifically, it explores the idea of being more than one culture. Sarah finds out more about her great-grandmother’s story and the Stolen Generations in Western Australia. This book encourages children to ask about where they came from and to be proud of their heritage.

Robyn Templeton is a Yamatji woman from Perth. Sarah Jackson is Robyn Templeton's daughter. This book was written as a response to Sarah's questions about her Aboriginal heritage.
Teaching Resources
1. Magabala Books, Teaching Notes by Christina Wheeler for 'Tell Me Why' https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0092/5043/9268/files/Tell_Me_Why_Teacher_Notes.pdf?2394
2. Australians Together, 'Why are culture and identity important?' https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/indigenous-culture/culture-identity/
3. Australians Together, 'Who are Indigenous Australians?' https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/the-wound/who-are-indigenous-australians/