Just So Stories

Wild Dog Books

Simon & Schuster

July 2026

• ISBN13: 9781742037226
• RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 26.99 / NZ$ 29.99

Your readers will learn about the cultural tradition of possum skin cloaks with this gorgeous book but more than that, they will learn of the special lifelong connection. between new life and the Dreaming, clan and Country, ancestors and the recording of one’s own story, incised by self.

For Aboriginal peoples in south-eastern Australia particularly, the possum skin cloak was an essential item with a multiplicity of purpose: protection against weather, baby wrap, burial wrap, even drums for ceremony. As the colonials began issuing woollen blankets in the mid-19th century many people chose to use these but those were nowhere near as effective against cold and wet weather, and many succumbed to illness as a result.

A possum skin cloak represents more than just protection though. Beginning with a small one wrapped around the new baby, the cloak would grow with the child and as it did, life story was added onto the skin side.

This stunning book relates in beautiful emotive and evocative language this process from birth to death and the importance the possum skin cloak has in that. Since invasion, there has been a steady decline in the tradition of cloaks but thankfully this is having a resurgence in many places, even if only for cultural occasions, rather than for a rainy day.

#2,Aunty Kim,organised a possum skin cloak workshop with local elders at her school for the First Nations students. They learned both the signifance and the actual ‘how-to’ of making a cloak which is now a prized artefact in the school’s collection.

Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson have once again collaborated to produce an outstanding resource for your collection but more than that, a glorious introduction to this beautiful tradition. I have no doubt that many of your kids will want a cloak of their own.

The illustrations by Leanne Jones are nothing short of sensational incorporating as they do, visual references to many aspects of traditional First Nations life: Country, connections, songlines, family, the Dreaming. Just magical – it sends shivers through me with its overal beauty. If you’ve missed this one, then get it I urge you. It’s without doubt a 5 🧥🧥🧥🧥🧥[how I wish there was a proper cloak emoji!] rating for all readers from Prep upwards.

A well-known image used often for special events especially women’s. Teenminne, a Ngarrindjeri woman wearing a possum skin cloak carrying a child on her back, South Australia, ca. 1870, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-148825818