Going for Oysters

Adams, Jeanie

3.56

9 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0807529788 ISBN 13: 9780807529782

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co, 1993

A young aboriginal girl and her siblings, after spending the day gathering oysters along the Love River on Australia's Cape York Peninsula, venture into the dangerous Eastern Swamp, in a tale that reveals the aborigines' way of life.

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From Publishers Weekly:

Adams, who lived and worked in an Australian Aboriginal community, here offers a slight tale about an extended Aboriginal family's weekend camping trip to Love River. Though he chooses to stay home, wise Grandad warns the tale's narrator to avoid "the story place of Yaatamay, the Carpet Snake." Traveling in two boats, the group lands on a beach, where they set up camp and cast nets to catch fish. The tale's young narrator explains that "Mum had already made tea and some johnnycakes, so we had a good feed." After collecting oysters, which cling to the roots of mangroves, the family feasts once again. Playing in a dinghy, the children have a scare when they get too close to the legendary spot Grandad had cautioned them about. Although the book opens with a brief glossary of Australian words, youngsters may still be puzzled by some of the terms used: the narrator refers to her "big cousin-sister"; and Grandad puts "underarm smell" on a baby so that "the spirits of the Old People will recognize you and keep you safe." Yet Adams succeeds--through her childlike narrative and stylized, batik-like paintings--in portraying an intriguing culture that will be new to most readers. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

An affectionate picture of Australia's aboriginal people on a traditional outing. Adams, an award-winning author-illustrator who lived for years in an aboriginal community, describes a weekend at ``Thuukal'' on the Love River, ``Grandad's country.'' Grandad isn't coming, but he warns of particular dangers-- quicksand, and ``the story place of Yaatamay, the Carpet Snake.'' The extended family travels by boat; the children share in the fishing, oyster gathering, and cooking, and enjoy swimming and the local wildlife. They also hear a frightening noise like thunder--Yaatamay? Adam's art, layered, evanescent earth tones outlined in white, is richly evocative and truly lovely. An authentic glimpse of a culture and setting unfamiliar to most young Americans. To include a glossary. (Picture book. 5-10) -- Copyright �1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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