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image of person or book cover 7415582620312821946.jpg
Image courtesy of publisher's website.
y separately published work icon The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia single work   picture book   Indigenous story   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 1990... 1990 The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'...The Wongutha people of the Eastern Goldfields area in Western Australia tell stories about the stars explaining how the stars came to be where they are. Some stars are grouped together and have special names.

One of these groups of stars is called the Seven Sisters. The Sisters were beautiful women who used to visit the Earth and wander the land. This is the story of why they appear in their position in the night sky. Source: Publisher's blurb

Exhibitions

Notes

  • Dedication: Dedicated to the children of the original descendants of the Wongutha people who came from all over the Eastern Goldfields to live at Mount Margaret Mission in Western Australia.
  • A poster related to the book is also available.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Language: English
    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory,: Aboriginal Studies Press , 1990 .
      image of person or book cover 7415582620312821946.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: [8], 21p.
      Description: col. illus.
      Reprinted: 1999
      Note/s:
      • Free Teachers notes are available from www.aiatsis.gov/au/aspbooks/sevensisters.html
      • Includes: Glossary of Wongutha Words [p.20]
      ISBN: 0855752165 (pbk), 9780855752163

Works about this Work

Book Reviews Michelle Huet , 1992 single work essay
— Appears in: Australian Aboriginal Studies , no. 1 1992; (p. 95-97)

These four books are undeniably Aboriginal in nature and are all important books but there the similarities end. They present three different perspectives. The Legend of the Seven Sisters and Wunambi are traditional stories from Western Australia written by May O'Brien and illustrated by Sue Wyatt with a definite educational purpose. Pigs and Honey, written and illustrated by a non-Aboriginal person, Jeanie Adams, gives an insight into the life of the Aurukun community on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The Story of the Falling Star is not only a traditional story but also a story about the Paakantji people and their land in the Darling River area of New South Wales. It is told by one of their own people, Elsie Jones, in collaboration with the Western Regional Aboriginal Land Council.' (Introduction)

How the Seventh Sister Lost Her Place 1991 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 23 May no. 1 1991; (p. 15)
'May O'Brien's dedication of her book to the children of the original descendants of the Wongutha people has special significance.'
Untitled Jane Bovill , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , November vol. 6 no. 5 1991; (p. 29)

— Review of The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia May L. O'Brien , 1990 single work picture book
Untitled Elspeth Cameron , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , vol. 35 no. 2 1991; (p. 35)

— Review of The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia May L. O'Brien , 1990 single work picture book
From the Word Go : Books for Younger Readers Meg Sorensen , May L. O'Brien , 1991 single work interview
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 130 1991; (p. 44-46)
Untitled Elspeth Cameron , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , vol. 35 no. 2 1991; (p. 35)

— Review of The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia May L. O'Brien , 1990 single work picture book
Untitled Jane Bovill , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , November vol. 6 no. 5 1991; (p. 29)

— Review of The Legend of the Seven Sisters : A Traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia May L. O'Brien , 1990 single work picture book
How the Seventh Sister Lost Her Place 1991 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 23 May no. 1 1991; (p. 15)
'May O'Brien's dedication of her book to the children of the original descendants of the Wongutha people has special significance.'
From the Word Go : Books for Younger Readers Meg Sorensen , May L. O'Brien , 1991 single work interview
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 130 1991; (p. 44-46)
Book Reviews Michelle Huet , 1992 single work essay
— Appears in: Australian Aboriginal Studies , no. 1 1992; (p. 95-97)

These four books are undeniably Aboriginal in nature and are all important books but there the similarities end. They present three different perspectives. The Legend of the Seven Sisters and Wunambi are traditional stories from Western Australia written by May O'Brien and illustrated by Sue Wyatt with a definite educational purpose. Pigs and Honey, written and illustrated by a non-Aboriginal person, Jeanie Adams, gives an insight into the life of the Aurukun community on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. The Story of the Falling Star is not only a traditional story but also a story about the Paakantji people and their land in the Darling River area of New South Wales. It is told by one of their own people, Elsie Jones, in collaboration with the Western Regional Aboriginal Land Council.' (Introduction)

Last amended 1 Dec 2015 13:21:41
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