Gadi Mirrabooka: Australian Aboriginal Tales from the Dreaming(World Folklore Series)

Take a journey into the fascinating world of Australia's Aboriginal culture with this unique collection of 33 authentic, unaltered stories brought to you by three Aboriginal storyteller custodians! Unlike other compilations of tales that were modified and published without permission from the Aboriginal people, these stories are now presented with approval from Aboriginal elders in an effort to help foster a better understanding of the history and culture of the Aboriginal people. Gadi Mirrabooka, which means below the Southern Cross, introduces wonderful tales from the Dreamtime, the mystical period of Aboriginal beginning. Through these stories you can learn about customs and values, animal psychology, hunting and gathering skills, cultural norms, moral behavior, the spiritual belief system, survival skills, and food resources. A distinctive and absolutely compelling story collection, this book is an immensely valuable treasure for educators, parents, children, and adult readers. Grades K-A

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction Part 1: Australia and the Aboriginal People Overview of Australia Geography: The Land The Geographic Regions How Climate Affected the Aborigines The Megafauna The Fauna The Flora The Aboriginal People The People and the Land Walkabout The Corroboree Ceremonial Walkabouts Trade Transportation Customs: The Totemic System The Arts Aboriginal Art Storytelling Music Other Instruments Dance Education Language Impact of Europeans on the Language Recent History Early Visitors European Invasion and Colonization Story of a Removed Child Reconciliation Part 2: The Tales 1. Mirrabooka: A Story About the Southern Cross 2. The Beginning Island: A Creation Story from the First Time, When Tasmania Was Born 3. Lumerai, the Mother Snake: A Rainbow Serpent Creation Story from the Northern Territory 4. The Murray Cod: A Creation Map Story from the Murray River Basin on the Border of New South Wales and Victoria 5. Boomerang: Alinga, the Lizard Man: A Story from Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory 6. The Birth of the Butterflies: A Story of When Death First Came to the Land, from the Murray River, New South Wales 7. Why the Kookaburra Laughs: A Wiradjuri Creation Story from New South Wales 8. The Whale Man and His Canoe: A Story from the Northern Territory 9. How the Birds Got Their Colors: A Wiradjuri Story from New South Wales 10. First Platypus, Gaygar—The Little Mother Duck: A Creation Story from the Top End of the Darling River Region, Northern New South Wales 11. How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch: A Wiradjuri Story from New South Wales 12. The Little Flying Fox: A Creation Story from New South Wales North Coast 13. How Koolah the Koala Lost His Tail: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales 14. Pikkuw, the Crocodile: A Story from the Cape York Area of Northern Queensland 15. Goolbree—How the Emu Lost Its Wings: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales 16. The Story of the Didgeridoo: A Story from the Gulf Country of the Northern Territory 17. How the Night Owl Came To Be: A Story from Northwest New South Wales 18. Myee, the Bogong Moth Woman: A Story from the Albury Region of New South Wales 19. Frog and the Lyrebird: A Story from the People of the Blue Mountains 20. The Special Platypus: A Story from New South Wales Central Coast 21. Tidalick: A Story from the Murray River Region of New South Wales 22. Wayambah, the Turtle: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales 23. Brolga, the Dancing Bird: A Story from the Mutti Mutti People of Lake Mungo and the Darling Basin 24. The Bunyip in the Forest: An Original Scary Story from Victoria 25. The Little Koala and the Bunyip: A Story from Queensland 26. The Min Min Light: A Space Story from Northwestern New South Wales 27. Djididjidi and Kuburi: A Story from the Kimberley, a Region of Western Australia 28. Marmoo and Biamee: A Creation Story from New South Wales 29. Belah, the Sun Woman: A Story from the Flinders Ranges of South Australia 30. The Sturt Desert Pea: A Story from Around Lake Eyre in South Australia 31. The Fire Keeper: A Story from the Northern Territory Area 32. The First Waratah: A Love Story from the Illawarra Region of the South Coast of New South Wales 33. Girilambone, Place of Falling Stars: A Story from Northern New South Wales Glossary Bibliography About the Editor and Contributors Index

Review :
"The stories have the unmistakable stamp of authenticity, and offer a great variety in themes and levels of complexity."