Just So Stories

Thames & Hudson

September 2024

ISBN: 9781760763565

RRPP: $26.99

Back when I was teaching in my PYP school in Canberra, over ten years ago now, my Year 4s were doing a unit of inquiry focused on Technology and, of course, I was to partner their unit in the library. To me it was an obvious choice {because that’s how I’ve always rolled] to take the opportunity for some cross-cultural perspectives and so I took the tack of First Nations technology, as I knew my girls at that school had minimal exposure to any kind of inter-cultural knowledge.

The problem I came across was that, though I could certainly find information on the internet including images of course, finding books to support my part of the unit was a mission. If only I had at least this book back then!!!

I have not seen the first in this series (but hope to soon) but this is just absolutely sensational in every aspect. I could easily use this as a valuable adjunct to my teaching program throughout a whole year – dipping in and out to suit the moment or topic.

It is perfectly balanced with its informational sections and the break-up of text, along with Blak Douglas’ (ALWAYS) fantastic artwork. The authors cover a wide range of aspects but with a special emphasis on the connection to Country of all First Nations life and culture, something that I personally have not seen in kids’ books to this extent, or with this clarity.

Though I’m no slouch when it comes to cultural knowledge there was still much for me to explore and whether used as a part of a teaching program, or for a young reader to pick up independently it will also provide much of the same for others. I particularly like the tie-ins to contemporary culture or ideas to give readers points of connection e.g. the Bungaree’s Organic Hardware ‘store’ 😆 or the piece Demountables and flat-packs, describing how the people would leave the heavy uprights in place but take down the sheets of bark etc and weight them with grinding stones to leave in place, as they moved on from that area until they returned – the ‘Ikea‘ model. In this way there was no need to build from scratch but simply re-erect the dwelling.

There is also a lot to share and debunk [even for many adults I know] around topics such as housing, food, agriculture and handiwork/craft. The authors do not shy away from the history of our First Nations people since invasion either. They are not pointing fingers, but simply state historical fact and the legacies of past practices and wrongs. Nobody I know is blaming anyone in the present for the past, but all of us agree that this country’s past history, no matter how unsavoury, cruel or downright despicable it has been at times, needs to be acknowledged and owned before we can all move forward with a proper sense of what it means to be proud of our country.

And certainly the references to artefacts that were ‘collected’ (many or most stolen) in the past and those that have come back to Country are enlightening for many who are not already aware. [I cringe every time I watch Antiques Roadshow and see someone showing off the Aboriginal artefacts their XXXX ancestor ‘collected’. At least in more recent programs I note the presenters are encouraging research and return of these items.]

All in all, this is in my top 5 of non-fiction for kids, or adults actually, that I’ve reviewed this year and I firmly advocate that this is a must-have for any collection whether a primary or secondary library, classroom or personal bookshelf.

I look forward to the next one in the series and now I’m longing to see Songlines, the first as this is an area in which I’ve recently become quite interested. I’m giving this a resounding 5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 rating. Scroll the slideshow to see some of the fab spreads. Stay posted for an upcoming Q&A with authors, Alison and Paul!