Riding the Black Cockatoo
$22.08
- Paperback
276 pages
- Release Date
1 June 2009
Summary
John Danalis was doing a teacher training course at university, as an older student, and decided to take a unit called Indigenous Writing. During one seminar he revealed that he had grown up with an Aboriginal skull (nicknamed ‘Mary’) on the family mantelpiece, a gift from his uncle to his collector father. The horrified reaction of his fellow students caused John to ask a few questions - where did his uncle find it, who was ‘Mary’ (a man, as it turned out), and was there a group that might w…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781741753776 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1741753775 |
| Author: | John Danalis |
| Publisher: | Allen & Unwin |
| Imprint: | A&U Children |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 276 |
| Release Date: | 1 June 2009 |
| Weight: | 246g |
| Dimensions: | 128mm x 198mm |
| Audience Age: | 14-18 |
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Critics Review
“The story is an important one and surely will find widespread classroom use.”
‘Confronting his own prejudices and misconceptions, Danalis’ story challenges the reader to do the same. Danalis’ father is a collector of Australiana, and years ago had acquired an Aboriginal skull … Essentially, this is the story of discovering Mary’s history, and his eventual return to a sacred burial site … It is also the story of Danalis’ adventures and fascination with learning more of the Aboriginal culture, and the subsequent changes to his life and effects on his family. The new friends he makes, the shattering of many preconceptions and his confrontations with racism. Suitable for teenagers as well as adults, this book flows well with a lot of humour throughout and keeps your interest long after you have finished reading it.’ (5 stars) - Bookseller & Publisher
‘Riding the Black Cockatoo is aimed at young-adult readers despite its dark and confronting themes: teenagers may be the only generation capable of tearing down white Australia’s overwhelming indifference to Aboriginal culture.’ - Canberra Times
‘In turns joyful, heartbreaking and downright harrowing, Riding the Black Cockatoo will not be an easy story for many Australians.’ - Mapgpies
John Danalis
John Danalis is a writer, illustrator and award-winning designer. He is the author and illustrator of three children’s titles, Dog 37 being the most recent. Bath Monster and Uncle Lou’s Tattoos are his earlier works. He has illustrated numerous other titles including Licking Lizards, Girl in the Cave and Loku and the Shark Attack. He has also illustrated textbooks.
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