Just So Stories

Imprint: Magabala Books

Hachette Books

February 2025

ISBN: 9781922777508

RRP: $29.99

Eleven years ago this month, I had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing Dark Emu – Blackseeds: Accident or Agriculture? for Magabala and in that review, I commented on how much new information I gleaned from this detailed and knowledge-based account from a recognised expert.

I’m no dummy when it comes to First Nations knowledge (obviously with kids and grandies Wiradjuri!) and have always embedded cross-cultural perspectives whenever possible in my teaching over the past 30 years, but I continue to learn.

When the YR version came out in hardback, naturally I snapped it up for my library collection, both the current one of the time and subsequent, because though the original is a fine and fulsome work, there is no doubt that for many students we needed a more abbreviated version. The YR edition is easily used across both primary and secondary sectors and I have done so on many occasions.

It’s a great pleasure to revisit the text now in this new paperback edition, which will bring it to a new audience, and remind educators of its value. Bruce Pascoe is adept at both non-fiction and fiction writing and, with no hesitation, I say I have enjoyed both but, without doubt, I consider his work on Dark Emu to be his most significant contribution to education of both adult and child readers.

He thoroughly and resoundingly debunks the entire concept of terra nullius [suck it up that political party who chooses to ignore the rights and heritage of our First Nations people], and carefully details the many ways that it is disproved, throughout his text.

Pascoe takes readers around the continent revealing information that was long carefully obliterated by ensuing whitefella administrations, and underlining the ingenuity, careful stewardship and meaningful interaction with the land that our original owners have had for millenia. Included within the text are facsimiles of primary documents and images, as well as quotes and journal excerpts.

The sample pages in the gallery (though taken from the hardback) give a very clear example of the breadth and depth of this. Not only are there teaching notes which were prepared for the first edition but also a teacher’s guide available, pitched at your older students.

After I reviewed that first copy I donated it to my current school’s Indigenous Literacy Day fundraiser. Of course, then I had to buy myself another copy – because I soon realised I wanted it as one of my own reference books! This edition will also stay with me for the same reason. I would find it hard to believe that your collection still lacks a copy but now might be a moment to get another copy with this new edition, which is just as beautifully presented as the first. Needless to say it’s an unreserved 5 ❤️❤️💛🖤🖤 rating from me.