When I Was Little, Like You

Malbunka s talented and varied illustrations, both dot and figurative, burst from the pages In all, When I was Little, Like Youportrays a rich and complex Aboriginal society in a way accessible to primary school children today. Gail Mahon, Australian Bookseller & PublisherA masterly melding of words and pictures a life story and work of art to treasure; a worthy companion to the award-winning Papunya School Book of Country and HistoryRobin Morrow, the Australian

Mary Malbunka was born in 1959 in what was at that time the Lutheran mission settlement at Haasts Bluff (250 km west of Alice Springs). Her traditional language was Pintupi/Luritja. Her mother also spoke Warlpiri. At the age of five, Mary and her family were moved to the new government settlement at Papunya (some 30km north of Haasts Bluff), where she spent most of her life. Mary Malbunka tells her own story of her childhood in When I Was Little, Like You.

Mary was a key member of the collaborative team of Anangu staff and students who worked with Nadia Wheatley and Ken Searle to produce Papunya School Book of Country and History. Her work included the cover and a number of the internal illustrations, both in traditional and western illustration style. Mary was also involved in discussions about the content of the written text, and was a member of Papunya School Publishing Committee. Sadly, Mary died in October 2004.