Tag: gladys milroy

Eagle, Crow and Emu: Bird Stories by Gladys Milroy and Jill Milroy

High in the treetops a baby eagle shrieked and called for its parents to return. Little Eagle was growing quickly. He was always hungry, so both parents had to leave the nest to find food for him. They loved Little Eagle and couldn’t wait to soar with him into the sky and show him the amazing world they lived in.

eagle, crow and emuHigh in the treetops a baby eagle shrieked and called for its parents to return. Little Eagle was growing quickly. He was always hungry, so both parents had to leave the nest to find food for him. They loved Little Eagle and couldn’t wait to soar with him into the sky and show him the amazing world they lived in.

Eagle, Crow and Emu – Bird Stories is a collection of three bird stories told in an Indigenous storytelling style. In the first, ‘Eagle and Bullfrog’, Little Eagle struggles to learn how to fly, but is helped by his land-dwelling friends. ‘The Great Cold’ tells the story of Magpie who wants to join all the other animals in the Cavern where they will be safe from the Great Cold. First she must find a way to keep her egg warm and safe. In ‘Emu and the Water Tree’, Emu learns the consequences of selfishness and the rewards of sacrifice. Each story includes black and white illustrations and is told in short chapters.

Two of these stories (‘The Great Cold’ and ‘Emu and the Water Tree’) have previously appeared as stand-alone stories, but with ‘Eagle and Bullfrog’ offer a collection of stories ideal for young readers. They offer young Indigenous readers the opportunity to read stories told in the same style as they would have been if shared orally. They also offer non-Indigenous readers an entry point to traditional Australian stories. Buried in each of engaging story is information about the fauna and landscape of Australia as well as stories about how to live. Perfect for newly independent readers and beyond.

Eagle, Crow and Emu – Bird Stories, Gladys Milroy and Jill Milroy
Fremantle Press 2016
ISBN: 9781925163711

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Emu and the Water Tree by Gladys Milroy

‘Emu and the Water Tree’ is a new offering in the WAARDA series for young readers from Fremantle Press. It brings traditional and new indigenous tales to a wide readership.

One day Emu was out flying when he spotted a strange tree growing high on top of a large hill. The tree had two long branches, no leaves, and a thick trunk covered in bright red bark.

‘Oh, this is exciting,’ said Emu, I’ve never seen a tree like that before.’ And he flew down to have a closer look.

‘Emu and the Water Tree’ comes from a time when Emus could still fly and animals could talk to one another. Emu finds Serpent in the base of a tree with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of fresh, clean water. He does a deal with Serpent and continues to enjoy the water. It is some time before he realises that while the water in the tree continues, the land around is drying out, the creeks and waterholes empty. It’s only then that he realises his selfishness and the cost of a deal with Serpent. He has to make decisions then.

Emu and the Water Tree is a new offering in the WAARDA series for young readers from Fremantle Press. It brings traditional and new indigenous tales to a wide readership. Black and white illustrations break up the text in these first chapter books, making them perfect for newly independent readers. Emu is curious and foolish, and Serpent is cunning and convincing in a story that works on many levels. Recommended for all newly independent young readers, or for anyone wanting to access traditional tales.

Emu and the Water Tree, Gladys Milroy
Fremantle Press 2012
ISBN: 9781921888717

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

The Great Cold, by Gladys Milroy

The Great Cold is coming,’ said Magpie as Crow shivered in her nest. ‘You must leave before it it’s too late.’
‘I know,’ Crow said fearfully, ‘but I can’t leave, I have an egg to look after.’
‘Then you and your baby will freeze,’ said Magpie sadly, and with a flap of his wings he left his friend and flew away.

Moon and Sun are fighting over their position in the sky and the earth is in danger of experiencing a cold so intense it will kill everything on earth. Magpie is torn. She knows there is a good chance she will perish if she doesn’t seek shelter with the other animals. But she can’t abandon her nest, because she sitting on her egg. She is the last of the animals, the others all taking shelter deep in a cave that will be sealed to keep the cold out. She carries her nest with her and makes the difficult journey to the cave. Goanna helps her, but there is a cost.

The Great Cold is a new story but it has the feel of an ancient one. It is mystical and yet seems real. The characters are concerned with survival and earthly things, but there is exploration of the nature of collaboration, friendship and trust. The Great Cold is an early chapter book for newly-confident readers. It is part of a new series, ‘Waarda’ from Fremantle Press designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school. Each title is written by an Indigenous author. Cover design and internal black and white images show the Indigenous influence too. But this, and other title in the series, will be enjoyed by a wide range of new readers. It’s just a great story. Recommended for newly-independent readers.

The Great Cold (Waarda, Nyungar)

The Great Cold, Gladys Milroy
Fremantle Press 2009
ISBN: 9781921361586

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com