It is evident from the stunning cover that great
thought has gone into the design and presentation of this outstanding
production.
Black, ochre, and the rich reddish colour of earth have been used
as background for the emu, fish, yam daisy, and a settler riding a horse which
indicate the content.
These colours that continue throughout the book reflect
the Indigenous people, their culture, and powerful bond with Country.
‘Dark
Emu is a shape in the dark areas between the stars of the Milky Way.’
Young
Dark Emu has been taken from Bruce Pascoe’s award-winning book
for older readers and made accessible to the younger generation. First-hand
accounts from the diaries of settlers and explorers allow readers to experience
‘a different way of seeing’ the
history of Australia’s early settlement.
Pascoe argues and gives evidence of how structured
the lives of Australia’s Aborigines were before the Europeans arrived,
contradicting the belief that they were nomads. The first Australians were
organized, inventive, resourceful and ingenious in their approach to caring for
the land and providing food for their families and communities. They had grain
storages, and preserved food. Their knowledge of agriculture and aquaculture
was beyond belief with fishing systems offering all they needed for food while
allowing for breeding to maintain their supply. Homes were well-built
structures in villages with incredible designs. This is confirmed by the
explorers who documented what they saw through words and images.
This book will give birth to many questions about
the history offered to us surrounding the type of people Indigenous Australians
were before the settlers came. Set under eight headings, the text is
accompanied by images from The Sketchbook
Scenes from Aboriginal Life by Kwat
Kwat artist, Tommy McCrae, and other beautifully presented illustrations whose
information is listed in detail on the Picture Credits page at the end.
Here is a superior work of art in many forms. Its
content is valuable and important. It presents readers with a significant and
different point from which to examine what we have been told and taught, and
the opportunity to make our own decision about what is true.
Title:
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History
Author:
Bruce Pascoe
Publisher:
Magabala Books, $24.99
Publication
Date: June 2019
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781925360844
For
ages: 11+
Type:
Picture Book