Stories from the Billabong (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Stories from the Billabong Hope Morrison Marshall, James Vance, ad. Stories from the Billabong; illus. by Francis Firebrace. Frances Lincoln, 2009 [61p]. ISBN 978-1-84507-704-4 $19.95 Reviewed from galleys R 6–10 yrs Although the Yorta-Yorta Aboriginal tribe is one of the world’s oldest extant cultures, it is, according to a note from Marshall (known for his classic Walkabout) and Firebrace, only recently that their folktales and legends were collected and written down. This compilation of ten ancient legends draws on that work. The stories themselves are mostly pourquoi tales, explaining how the earth was made, why a frog croaks, why a kangaroo has a pouch, etc., and each story is followed by a lengthy statement that provides further details about the story and additional information about Aboriginal culture. The stories are accessible without feeling diluted: each possesses a strong narrative voice and convincing characters, and there is plenty of topical appeal. Australian flora and fauna take center stage in most tales, with stories of crocodiles, lyrebirds, platypus, and bogong moths, and the many species that are endangered or threatened are noted throughout. The handsome illustrations are rendered by Yorta-Yorta artist Francis Firebrace who, as noted in flap information, “uses an ochre-coloured acrylic made especially for Aboriginal artists, and paints mainly in the four colours his people have used since the beginning of time—black, white, red and yellow.” The illustrations have a strong graphic sensibility, with bold paint strokes, pulsatingly regular dot-work, and copious patterning. A guide to Aboriginal symbols and their meanings in the back of the book provides further insight into the paintings, and they would also add dimension to an art lesson focusing on this material. The stories themselves would adapt well to oral telling, and they could pair interestingly with similarly themed tales from other regions for an exploration of cultural similarities and differences. A note about Aboriginal Australians and a glossary are included. Copyright © 2009 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois