My Place by Sally Morgan

My Place by Sally Morgan (Fremantle Press) PB RRP $23:00 ISBN: 9781925816761

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

My Place is a great Australian classic, one of the best loved biographies of Aboriginal Australia ever written. It has now been adapted for younger readers. From the blurb: ‘Sally Morgan always wondered about her family: who they were; where they came from; what they were hiding. She asked questions but received few answers. So, Sally travelled to her grandmother’s birthplace. What started as a tentative search for information, became an extraordinary pilgrimage that would change their lives forever.’

My Place is a search by the author for identity and belonging. The dedication to her family sums up the essence of the book. “How deprived we would have been if we had been willing to let things stay as they were. We would have survived, but not as a whole people. We would have never known our place.”

Sally’s story begins in the mid 1950’s in Perth, Western Australia, as a five-year-old, visiting her father in hospital. All through her childhood, she had questions for her mother and grandmother about their family. Questions like, why did Nan hide whenever she bought friends home after school. Over the years she received lots of evasion and very few answers. This emotive, often heart-wrenching and beautifully written book explores Sally’s search for answers about her heritage. It took her entire childhood, through her university years and into adulthood before she found the answers to her identity. My Place not only tells her own story, but explores the story of her great uncle, her mother and grandmother, giving the reader a glimpse of the inequality and hardships faced by the aboriginal people. What she finally discovered was a rich heritage and the sense of belonging she had been searching for her entire life. She found her place.

I usually read books as an escape from the real world, and it is rare that I read non-fiction or biographies for pleasure. This is not a book I would have chosen to read. I am so glad that Claire from Fremantle Press sent this book to me for review. Not only is it, the sharing of a touching and emotional journey of discovery, it resonates with me on a personal level. I was in my late twenties when I discovered my own aboriginal heritage. Reading My Place has made me even more determined to delve deeper into the rich culture I missed out on as a child. My Place was originally published as three separate books in 1987. It remains highly relevant today. 

This adapted version combines the three books into one volume. I highly recommend this wonderful biography for both adults and younger readers.

Hello to You, Moon

Hello to You, Moon written by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Sonny & Biddy (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99  ISBN 9781760125462

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

A poetic, rhythmical counting book (but so much more), Morgan’s Hello to You, Moon examines the various creatures which swing, prowl, leap and scurry under the light of the moon.

Each creature featured salutes the moon in their own way, from hooting owls to roaring lions. Each spread progresses from one to ten with an accompanying animal family, as the moon journeys from twilight through midnight to the brightening sky of the following day.

This would make a brilliant bedtime story for babies through to pre-schoolers, with much to engage, including rhyme, action and animal noises. Sonny and Biddy’s graphic illustrations with an overarching purple palette are the perfect, vibrant accompaniment to the text.

Sister Heart

Sister Heart by Sally Morgan (Fremantle Press) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 978-1-92516-313-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Annie is taken away from everything and everyone she knows. Forcibly removed from her mother, stripped of her home, her culture, and even her name, Annie must make a new life for herself in a strange and cruel place without somehow losing hope that she will be reunited with her family one day.

This is a heart wrenching, poignant story about the stolen generation told from the perspective of a young girl removed from her family simply because she is of mixed race. It is told through verse, making the story so much more immediate, yet somehow lightening an emotionally heavy and hard subject. It is easy to connect to the young aboriginal girl as we are privy to only her intimate thoughts, her perspective and life through her eyes.

I want to go home

I want to smell warm rock

Run along a sandy creek

with my cousins

Watch flowers grow

after rain comes

Hug little sister

Understanding history is an important part of understanding our culture and ourselves. It helps us to be empathetic towards other people, accepting of different cultures and other lifestyles. The challenge is to engage children early and children are engaged by good stories. Sister Heart is a really good story, told well, with a fascinating main character and captivating plot.

Some middle grade readers may find it hard to get into because of its verse novel form which may be new to them, but persistence will reward them greatly. And the language is so evocative. One of the beauties of verse novel is that so much is said in so few words.

Everyone scatters

except the sun-bright girl

Sister Heart captures so much of what it is to be in the Australian landscape, the power of friendship, and the differences between the two cultures Annie has to contend with – her own and the one being forced on her.

I really loved this story. It is probably for the more mature middle grade reader, but the verse novel lends itself to less text which may appeal to others as well. I would encourage anyone with a love of history, Australian stories and beautiful poetic language to read this book.

Sister Heart was shortlisted in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, the Victorian Minister’s Literary Awards, the Inky Awards, and was an Honour book in the CBCA Awards.

The Midnight Possum

The Midnight Possum by Sally Morgan, Illustrated by Jess Racklyett (Omnibus Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-104-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Possum always begins his adventures at midnight. He loves to travel through the trees and grasses to get to the flowering gum where he can eat its flowers for dinner. On this night, however, before he can begin to nibble, he hears a cry for help. Can Midnight Possum help rescue Mother Possum’s baby? What further adventures await him now?

The Midnight Possum is a lovely picture book about bravery and helping others. The story is told simply, through both text and illustration, with a sense of movement and adventure created by active words as well as font and page layouts.

The blues and purple of the Australian bush at night fill the pages and highlight the different colours inside the house when possum performs his daring rescue. The effect of the acrylic painting and digital collages gives the story a soft atmosphere and adds a textured element.  

Sally Morgan is an Australian Aboriginal author, dramatist and artist who is widely known and published. She brings Australian animals, landscapes and Aboriginal culture and myths to life in many of her children’s and picture books. 

Born to Sing

Born to Sing by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-151-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The holidays are here again and during a family meeting Dad announces they will all be taking a special trip. He is taking the boys to Tasmania to see the penguins and Mum will take Maddie and Nan to Shark Bay to see the whales. Maddie is a little concerned when Mum says they are taking the ratty caravan, but nothing can spoil her excitement at the possibility of seeing whales. Maddie loves to sing and her favourite music is whale songs. She is super excited!

Born To Sing tells the story of the adventure Maddie has with her Mum and Nan as they make their ten-hour journey. It also shares the fun they have when they arrive, including an encounter with the huge and magnificent whales in Shark Bay.

A humorous and happy story, it is based around an indigenous family with a lovely bond and is set firmly in the Australian landscape and culture. Where else would you see an emu walking down the main street with no-one batting an eye?

Informative and entertaining, this is a great book for those just starting to extend their reading skills to chapter books. It is well written with easy to read sentences for younger readers. Lovely black and white illustrations break up the short chapters, filling the pages and enhancing the light, fun atmosphere of the story.

The Dog Emergency

The Dog Emergency by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-135-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The Dog Emergency is a new title in a series based on indigenous characters. In this story brothers Dillon and Ryan help an injured dog and hope they can keep him. Unfortunately Mum is still upset over the recent death of their old dog Buster. She has said there will never be another dog; it’s too upsetting when they die.

But the boys are determined to find a way to keep him. Maybe if they can raise the money to pay for the dog’s surgery? This plan seems to be working until, just when they think they have enough money, the dog’s owner reads the lost dog signs and comes to the nursing station to claim him.

Authentic voices and interesting characters with a hint of mischief come through the text strongly, as does the outback, small Australian town setting.

Short, with uncomplicated words, humorous illustrations, an appealing layout and light but universal themes, this is a great chapter book for early readers from the age of 8 years old.

Cyclone Fever

Cyclone Fever by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Beth Norling (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-103-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Danny listens to the weather alert about Cyclone Thelma and hopes it will not ruin his day off school. It is only graded a Category One after all, no real threat. Gran is being a little over-anxious with all her preparations. But due to a couple of ‘deals’ – which Danny  is confident he will come out on top with – he helps Gran tape the windows, prepare food and round up batteries.

Then, as Cyclone Thelma gains power, Danny and his family are grateful for Gran’s intuition and action.

Cyclone Fever is another title in the fabulous Australian Mates – Great Australian Yarns series. Short chapters, easy to read and full colour illustrations which do not diminish the strong and unique stories are a feature of all the titles in the series. This story is about a natural disaster which is not uncommon in the north of Australia.

Cyclone Fever is just as much about family and community as it is about cyclones – the preparation, the storm itself, and the aftermath.

Sally Morgan has written many great early reader’s chapter books featuring indigenous families and communities which are relevant to all Australians. This is another interesting, entertaining and amusing story for junior readers.

Magpie learns a Lesson

Magpie learns a Lesson by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Tania Erzinger (Omnibus Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-059-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Magpie and Brown Falcon are friends. Brown Falcon loves Magpie's singing, but secretly Magpie is jealous of Brown Falcon's flying abilities. This jealousy makes Magpie so cross that he decides to play mean tricks on his friend. Brown Falcon puts up with these tricks for a while until Magpie goes too far.  How will Magpie feel when he loses his friend?

This is a simple story about jealousy and friendship, told with lovely Australian flavour. The illustrator, Tania Erzinger, has depicted the animals and bush of this country beautifully. The painted pages capture the browns, greens and blues of the Australian bush wonderfully.

The word count in this book makes it more suitable for primary aged children than pre-schoolers. The concepts also, of envy, teasing and loyalty, are well suited to those beginning to navigate the school playground.

One Rule for Jack

One Rule for Jack by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-033-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

If there is one thing Jack hates more than showers, it’s the jobs Mum gives him on Saturday mornings. They always need to be finished before he is allowed to go hang out with his mate Thommo. Jack knows how to get out of chores. It’s just that somehow all his efforts seem to be backfiring.

And then Dad gives him the worst job of all. Surely his plan cannot fail here.

Australian indigenous culture is quietly but firmly present in this story.  Yet the book transcends race.  This is a story every young boy, or girl, will easily relate to. Who wants to be sweeping the patio or washing the dog when their mate is waiting on a sunny Saturday morning?

One Rule for Jack is a gentle, funny, tale. There is a lovely family atmosphere - with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Joe living next door. And the lesson Jack learns comes across naturally without being preachy or moralising.

Jack is an engaging narrator, giving tips to the reader throughout. 'Okay - here's a pro tip. Inside jobs are the hardest. One parent is usually hanging around. If you're not careful they can catch you out.'

The cheeky sense of fun is carried in the illustrations as well. The look on Jack's face as he manoeuvres a plunger into the toilet is priceless. And the way his mother and grandmother gather around to help him solve his problems reinforces the closeness of the family.

Smith's soft black and white pictures illustrate each page of the book and help to create an easy and enjoyable story for beginner readers. The short chapters, large font and straight-forward words and sentences make this an accessible story for young primary aged children, while the humour and storyline speaks to every child.

Going Bush With Grandpa

Going Bush With Grandpa by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-026-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Pete and his Grandpa are going camping in the bush. They both love to prospect for gold and with Grandpa's new metal detector they are sure to find some. Enough even, for a holiday in the city. Pete would love to go to Perth to watch a footy match.

But on the camping trip Pete learns about more than prospecting. There is so much more to the bush experience than gold. There's unexpected wildlife, fire-side tales, singing lessons and Grandpa's cooking. And with all the other bits of metal and junk in the ground will the super duper metal detector detect any gold before it's time to head home?

Going Bush With Grandpa is a lovely story about a boy's relationship with his grandfather. It is about the passing on of wisdom and the gentle lessons of nature and the bush. And it's about patience and persistence in the search for gold nuggets.

The dialogue is wonderfully colloquial with the atmosphere of the Aussie bush strongly present.

Beautifully written, the humour is subtle and the characters are the star of this story. Grandpa serves another tinned curry for dinner but noting that Pete is a growing boy, 'I had better give you some green vegetables too.' He stirs in a tin of peas.

The illustrations reflect this gentle humour between Grandpa and Pete as well. When Grandpa 'lets me swing the metal detector back and forth' the picture shows Pete enthusiastically in control of the detector while Grandpa sits back on a log having a drink.

This is a lovely family tale, wonderfully told, with gentle lessons about life. Short sentences, short chapters and simple, universal concepts make this a great book for young readers. It would also be a great read aloud book for five and six year olds. Many children, boys and girls, will be caught up in the bush experience and hunting for gold.

This is the first in a series of chapter books to be written by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina based on indigenous children, country and family. I look forward to the next title One Rule.

A Feast for Wombat

Feast for Wombat by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Tania Erzinger (Omnibus Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-018-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

When Wombat ventures outside from his warm, snug burrow he meets his friends who are having lots of fun. He would like to join in but is not sure that he has any special talents. Goanna is a fast climber, Magpie can sing beautifully and Dingo is the cleverest dancer around. They all try to teach Wombat, but he needs to find his own special skill.

This is a lovely story about the strength of friendship, about giving time to friends and about the importance of finding your place amongst them.

Feast For Wombat is beautifully written and conjures up lovely images. Wombat thinks Dingo dances 'like the clouds', and Magpie sings like 'a beautiful bubbling stream'. The story has a structured rhythm, repeating similar actions for each animal.

The gentle nature of the story is echoed in the illustrations. They have a soft dreamy quality to them. Using the muted, earthy colours of the Australian landscape, Erzinger depicts these four friends as being very much at home within their environment. Their facial expressions, especially Wombat’s, are wonderful.  And following along, if you look carefully, is a little hopping mouse (not mentioned in the text) who gets involved in the action.

Sally Morgan is an Australian Aboriginal author who has written many stories for all ages and is widely known for her first children's book My Place.

Tania Erzinger is an artist who loves to draw, paint and do collage. Feast for Wombat is her first picture book.

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble by Laura Dudgeon and Sabrina Dudgeon, illustrated by Sally Morgan and Tracey Gibbs (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 9-781-922-893-359
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

The Waarda Series are wonderful little books. In Waarda, Nyungar is the word(s), for talking and sharing stories. Edited by Sally Morgan, the stories are designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school by making books available to them written by Indigenous authors. At the same time, it will introduce non-Indigenous children to the richness and depth of Indigenous storytelling. The stories in the series are adventurous stories that are easy and logical to read, fun, interesting and diverse. There’s a lot to learn in these little books. I did!

Lilli and Shadow have met before but are reunited in an exciting new adventure – only this time it’s Shadow that needs Lilli’s help. Someone, or something has taken over Shadow’s home in the big old mango tree and without his home Shadow is fading fast. With Nan to lends them a hand, and together they must find the best solution for everyone. I love Nan’s no-nonsense, firm but practical approach to life. She’s a very re-assuring character, always cheerful and she just knows how to handle things in life.

There are some beautiful themes represented in this story: the themes of family, cooperation, safety as well as the benefits of having a positive attitude. The grey lead sketched artwork throughout is gentle and fun, revealing Shadow and Glog, putting the whole story into perspective. There is also a map of Australia, showing Bardi country in the Kimberly in Western Australia where Laura and Sabrina Dudgeon are from.

The Waarda series is an exciting new Indigenous children’s series, ideal first chapter books for new readers.

A Cyclone is Coming!

A Cyclone is Coming! by Darlene Oxenham (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 9-781-922-893-342
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

The Waarda Series are wonderful little books. In Waarda, Nyungar is the word(s), for talking and sharing stories. Initiated by renowned Aboriginal artist and writer, Sally Morgan, the series is designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school by making books available to them written by Indigenous authors. Of course, at the same time, it will introduce non-Indigenous children to the richness of Indigenous storytelling.

Annie lives with her family in a small coastal town in Western Australia, called Useless Loop. Her aunt, uncles and grandparents all live next door and everyone in town knows everybody. Annie’s grandfather is in charge of bringing drinking water for everyone and when he returns with his truck, Annie visits him along with her dog, Patches. As Pop observes the sky and the sea he tells her a cyclone is coming. They’re not unusual at Useless Loop and everyone knows what to do. But Annie has never been through one before and she’s about to find out how to prepare for it.

Annie’s father explains the damage cyclones can cause, but reassures Annie that all will be okay if they prepare for it and think of it as an adventure. They tie their caravan to a scraper so that is doesn’t blow away. They also tape up the windows and gather up any loose items left lying around. Together, Annie and her family carefully prepare for what’s to come. Then there is nothing left to do but wait.

When the cyclone, finally hits Useless Loop, the family gathers in the kitchen, which is the safest place in their caravan home. The sky darkens and the rain gets stronger and louder. Although Annie is scared, her family help her stay calm. They eat, read and watch movies while the wind howls and the caravan sways. Patches and Annie eventually fall asleep – and when she wakes up - it’s all over. The wind and rain have stopped. Together with her family, they explore the damage caused by the cyclone. Back at school the next day, the children all recount the events of the great cyclone adventure.

I found this little book to be quite scary at times, and my young one wanted to know if this was really a true story. Yes! I told him. But was scary as it was, Annie’s people knew just how to get through it and there was some very practical and re-assuring advice in this story.

Beautifully told, I highly recommend ‘A Cyclone is Coming!’ The Waarda series are ideal first chapter books for new readers.

The Greedy Crocodile: A Collection of Australian Stories

The Greedy Crocodile by Sally Morgan (Walker Books)

PB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781921720659

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

In this collection of ten Australian stories contained in seventy-six pages, there is a wonderful mixture of creation, animal, earth, sea and sky, and Spirit stories. They are in part drawn from Sally Morgan’s own childhood. Others are drawn from family sources. Some are gross, all are entertaining and clever with a moral to each tale. This is a perfect collection for readers of all ages that reflect the inexhaustible ability of Aboriginal people to tell the most creative and amazing stories.

A greedy crocodile named Shontu loses all his friends because he keeps trying to eat them. He gets his payment when the family he swallows gets their revenge.

Yamin was always wishing. Every thought was a wish – good and bad. He thought he had it all until the wishes turn into an unstoppable chain of cause and effect .

Marni is a girl who can’t stop shouting but is finally balanced out by her clever grandmother with the help of a little magic. There is a wondrous tale about how the first white man came into the world, and one of Wadjella, a boy of great courage. Then there’s Roly Poly the wombat who escapes a giant and finds a mate after many hairy adventures.

Other animals include the proud goanna who was so stuck up, he held his head so high that he lost his footing and fell into the crocodile’s mouth. Then, The Gourmet Giant with an enormous appetite is stopped by his clever cook Nardu.

A beautiful story is that of Yael, a bird spirit, and Mulwarra, a human girl. Two beings who are different to one another in every way, yet with so much in common, who finally find a way to be together.

The Grumpy Frog tells of a giant frog that swallows everything in its way.  He could have swallowed the whole of Australia, and almost did but for the intervention of the Good Spirit who put a blowfish in his way with unforeseen results.

Many of these tales are adventures while in search of food; others are character flaws that are corrected through a lesson learnt. Then there are the ones that are just good fun, and an extremely good read. There is a Glossary of words at the end of this superbly illustrated book, produced with quality semi gloss pages and a fantastic front cover depicting  the greedy crocodile.

The Flying Emu

The Flying Emu by Sally Morgan (Walker Books)

PB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-192172064-2

Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang

www.thestoryline.com.au

Sally Morgan is a well know Australian writer having written books for both children and adults. Her autobiography, My Place, is an Australian classic and has been published in a special children’s edition called Sally’s Story.

This is a collection of her short, folktale like stories that she has written and illustrated. Her illustrations are gorgeous. Sally is a respected visual artist whose work has won international acclaim. She is represented in galleries in Australia, US and elsewhere. Sally is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of northwest Western Australia.

In her preface Sally states that the stories in the book are not traditional ones although some were drawn from her childhood. Many read as ‘modern folktales’ and I particularly enjoyed Old Poker Face and The Laziest Seagull. She tells of her childhood memories of hearing stories and the importance they had in her life and encourages readers to have fun making up their own stories to share.

The stories include characters such as the moon, the sun, the planets, a vain emu, a young girl Jilji and her nemesis ‘Fatfella’ and the list goes on, all colourful characters that make for good reading. I enjoyed this collection very much. They are relevant for today, enjoyable, use exciting fun language and offer great colourful illustrations. This is another wonderful contribution by Sally Morgan and one to have on your shelf.

My Country

My Country by Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Sally Morgan (Fremantle Press)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921696916

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

“This book was inspired by my Nana and Gran, who passed on their love of country to me. When I wrote the book I imagined what it would have been like for them as little girls, playing in their country without a care in the world. At the same time, I wanted to encourage self-esteem in Indigenous youth as I feel Australia is in need of more Indigenous heroes. Because all heroes begin as children with a dream, hopefully books like this one bring them closer to that dream” – Ezekiel Kwaymullina

‘My Country’ is an Australian Aboriginal picture book to be enjoyed and celebrated.

It is a book to be poured over and shared between a parent and a child. Whilst the prose is simple and lyrical, it is perfectly matched with the acclaimed Sally Morgan’s illustrations, which are gorgeous and bright, and vivid and intricate. There are double spread pages full of wonder including a smiling sun, happy lightning clouds and friendly animals. There is such a strong feeling of being connected to the earth and the moon and the stars, it’s truly heartfelt and beautiful.

The little girl is on a journey of discovery and the reader is swept along with her. She feels completely safe with her country and is as ‘one’ with her environment. This is definitely something we should all aspire to and encourage our children to explore.

This is a delightful book for a very young audience, aged 3 – 5 years, and is a wonderful book to encourage the imagination and play discovery finding games, and games such as ‘peekaboo’.  For older readers, it’s the perfect book for ‘outdoor’ reading along with paper and pencils to let the imagination flow.

Sally Morgan is a best selling author and internationally renowned painter. She is the author of ‘My Place’, which has now sold over 600,000 copies nationally. This is her first book in over a decade.

Ezekiel Kwaymullina is from the Palyku people from the Pilbara region of Western Australia and this is Ezekiel’s third children’s picture book.

Neridah McMullin is the author of two books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to me!'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also loves footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com