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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Bruce Pascoe has collected a swathe of literary awards for Dark Emu and now he has brought together the research and compelling first person accounts in a book for younger readers. Using the accounts of early European explorers, colonists and farmers, Bruce Pascoe compellingly argues for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer label for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. He allows the reader to see Australia as it was before Europeans arrived – a land of cultivated farming areas, productive fisheries, permanent homes, and an understanding of the environment and its natural resources that supported thriving villages across the continent. Young Dark Emu - A Truer History asks young readers to consider a different version of Australia’s history pre-European colonisation.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Reading Australia
Notes
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This book has been selected for Guardian Australia’s series The Unmissables, highlighting the most notable Australian books of the year.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Dyslexic edition.
Works about this Work
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[Review] Young Dark Emu : A Truer History
2025
single work
review
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 26 March no. 847 2025; (p. 30)
— Review of Young Dark Emu 2019 single work prose children's fiction -
Exploring the Translation Process of Bruce Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu into Italian : Choices, Reflections and Learnings
2024
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The AALITRA Review , no. 20 2024; (p. 9-31)'This article is based on a translation of Young Dark Emu: A Truer History (YDE) into Italian – L’Oscuro Emù per Ragazzi: una storia più vera (L’OEPR) and a theoretical exegesis, which were part of the first author’s Master of Translation Studies dissertation, completed at The University of Western Australia in 2023 under the supervision of the second author. Bruce Pascoe’s YDE is the version of Dark Emu (DE) for young people aged 7 to12 years in which he advocates for a reconsideration of the label given to pre-colonial Indigenous Australians. Both books won several prizes and contributed to rethinking Indigenous life in Australia and changing Australian identity. Indigenous Australian literature’s well-defined political identity always demands ethical awareness in translation. In the case of YDE the original’s culture-sensitive counter-memory and the fact that the book is written for children contribute to making it a particularly challenging book to translate into another language. Translating YDE for Italian children, became an exploration of strategies and choices in relation to the ethical positioning of the authors of this article. Source-oriented translation strategies suit this type of text especially when dealing with culture-specific elements and the title. A priori standards were met by navigating a theoretical framework interwoven to assist the process. An action research design guided action and reflection, leaning broadly but not exclusively on contributions to Translation Studies of Reiss, Toury, Eco, Venuti and Osimo. This article discusses choices, rationale behind solutions, insights, consistency with ideology and ethical positioning.'
Source: Abstract.
-
Nurturing Our Stories Gives Magabala a Win
2020
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 20 May no. 726 2020; (p. 30) -
y
At Home with Bruce Pascoe Astrid Edwards (interviewer), 2020 23454242 2020 single work podcast interview
'Bruce Pascoe, a Yuin, Bunarong and Tasmanian writer, has turned his craft to picture books. Found, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, is the story of a lost calf finding his family. It is also an allegory for the Stolen Generations.
'In this interview, Bruce introduces the stunning illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, explores the real life impetus behind Found, reflects on Dark Emu and looks forward to his forthcoming novel, Imperial Harvest.
'Note, this interview was recorded via Zoom and in parts you can hear Bruce's dog in the room with him.' (Production introduction)
-
y
Leanne Hall and Angela Crocombe Talk All Things Kids Publishing Leanne Hall (presenter), Angela Crocombe (presenter), 2019 18763240 2019 single work podcast
'Children's bookseller and author Leanne Hall sits down with Readings Kids shop manager Angela Crocombe, to give us an insight into the wonderful world of kids' publishing and bookselling. They touch on representation and diversity in children's publishing, the success of Bruce Pascoe's Young Dark Emu, and give us some of their personal children's books recommendations.'
Source: Soundcloud.
-
[Review] Young Dark Emu : A Truer History
2025
single work
review
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 26 March no. 847 2025; (p. 30)
— Review of Young Dark Emu 2019 single work prose children's fiction -
Dark Emu for Younger Readers
2019
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 17 July no. 705 2019; (p. 45) 'Bruce Pascoe has collected a swathe of literary awards for Dark Emu and now he has brought together the research and compelling first person accounts in a book for younger readers.' -
y
Leanne Hall and Angela Crocombe Talk All Things Kids Publishing Leanne Hall (presenter), Angela Crocombe (presenter), 2019 18763240 2019 single work podcast
'Children's bookseller and author Leanne Hall sits down with Readings Kids shop manager Angela Crocombe, to give us an insight into the wonderful world of kids' publishing and bookselling. They touch on representation and diversity in children's publishing, the success of Bruce Pascoe's Young Dark Emu, and give us some of their personal children's books recommendations.'
Source: Soundcloud.
-
y
At Home with Bruce Pascoe Astrid Edwards (interviewer), 2020 23454242 2020 single work podcast interview
'Bruce Pascoe, a Yuin, Bunarong and Tasmanian writer, has turned his craft to picture books. Found, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, is the story of a lost calf finding his family. It is also an allegory for the Stolen Generations.
'In this interview, Bruce introduces the stunning illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, explores the real life impetus behind Found, reflects on Dark Emu and looks forward to his forthcoming novel, Imperial Harvest.
'Note, this interview was recorded via Zoom and in parts you can hear Bruce's dog in the room with him.' (Production introduction)
-
Nurturing Our Stories Gives Magabala a Win
2020
single work
column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 20 May no. 726 2020; (p. 30) -
Exploring the Translation Process of Bruce Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu into Italian : Choices, Reflections and Learnings
2024
single work
criticism
— Appears in: The AALITRA Review , no. 20 2024; (p. 9-31)'This article is based on a translation of Young Dark Emu: A Truer History (YDE) into Italian – L’Oscuro Emù per Ragazzi: una storia più vera (L’OEPR) and a theoretical exegesis, which were part of the first author’s Master of Translation Studies dissertation, completed at The University of Western Australia in 2023 under the supervision of the second author. Bruce Pascoe’s YDE is the version of Dark Emu (DE) for young people aged 7 to12 years in which he advocates for a reconsideration of the label given to pre-colonial Indigenous Australians. Both books won several prizes and contributed to rethinking Indigenous life in Australia and changing Australian identity. Indigenous Australian literature’s well-defined political identity always demands ethical awareness in translation. In the case of YDE the original’s culture-sensitive counter-memory and the fact that the book is written for children contribute to making it a particularly challenging book to translate into another language. Translating YDE for Italian children, became an exploration of strategies and choices in relation to the ethical positioning of the authors of this article. Source-oriented translation strategies suit this type of text especially when dealing with culture-specific elements and the title. A priori standards were met by navigating a theoretical framework interwoven to assist the process. An action research design guided action and reflection, leaning broadly but not exclusively on contributions to Translation Studies of Reiss, Toury, Eco, Venuti and Osimo. This article discusses choices, rationale behind solutions, insights, consistency with ideology and ethical positioning.'
Source: Abstract.
Awards
- 2020 shortlisted Festival Awards for Literature (SA) Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature South Australian Literary Awards — Children's Literature Award
- 2020 winner Booksellers Choice Award BookPeople Book of the Year — Children's Book of the Year
- 2020 winner CBCA Book of the Year Awards — Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
- 2020 shortlisted New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Books
- 2020 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) — Australian Book of the Year for Younger Children