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Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Anecdote and Anthropomorphism : Writing the Australian Pied Butcherbird
2011
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australasian Journal of Ecocriticism and Cultural Ecology , Summer vol. 1 no. 2011; This paper surveys textual references to the Australian pied butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis). We begin with my initial encounter with this songbird (in re-worked excerpts from the book Post Impressions), and then expand our review to aboriginal stories, historic ornithological reports and field guides, informal stories, archival Australian periodicals, children’s literature, literary references, and composers’ texts. Many of these reveal the tension between the superlative pied butcherbird vocal abilities and their ferocious hunting prowess. The paper shuns neither anecdote nor anthropomorphism as it attempts a new mode of interspecies narrative. I argue that anecdotes can contribute to an understanding of this understudied songbird. In inventorying pied butcherbird textual references, we find that our stories about them are ultimately stories about us as well—anthropomorphism seems to be an innate human proclivity. Reflecting on the lives of animals is of psychological, intellectual, and metaphysical significance for humans. -
1 2 3...
2003
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , November vol. 18 no. 5 2003; (p. 4-9) Jo Goodman examines number books and their roles in teaching children to count. She also looks at what makes a good number book. -
Untitled
1998
single work
review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , vol. 42 no. 1 1998; (p. 16)
— Review of Gwenda Turner's Australian 123 1997 single work picture book
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Untitled
1998
single work
review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , vol. 42 no. 1 1998; (p. 16)
— Review of Gwenda Turner's Australian 123 1997 single work picture book -
1 2 3...
2003
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , November vol. 18 no. 5 2003; (p. 4-9) Jo Goodman examines number books and their roles in teaching children to count. She also looks at what makes a good number book. -
Anecdote and Anthropomorphism : Writing the Australian Pied Butcherbird
2011
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australasian Journal of Ecocriticism and Cultural Ecology , Summer vol. 1 no. 2011; This paper surveys textual references to the Australian pied butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis). We begin with my initial encounter with this songbird (in re-worked excerpts from the book Post Impressions), and then expand our review to aboriginal stories, historic ornithological reports and field guides, informal stories, archival Australian periodicals, children’s literature, literary references, and composers’ texts. Many of these reveal the tension between the superlative pied butcherbird vocal abilities and their ferocious hunting prowess. The paper shuns neither anecdote nor anthropomorphism as it attempts a new mode of interspecies narrative. I argue that anecdotes can contribute to an understanding of this understudied songbird. In inventorying pied butcherbird textual references, we find that our stories about them are ultimately stories about us as well—anthropomorphism seems to be an innate human proclivity. Reflecting on the lives of animals is of psychological, intellectual, and metaphysical significance for humans.
Last amended 8 Jan 2008 11:18:43
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