This is a book review  by Wendy Dowe of Bilby Bulletin about 'Olive Python Dreaming' - a book written by Ned Cheedy and his daughter Jane and illustrated by the year 5/6 class of 2001.

My friend Melanie really liked a book called Olive Python Dreaming so she gave it to me to read.  The book is written by Ned Cheedy, an Yindjibarndi elder and his daughter Jane, an Aboriginal Education Officer at Roebourne Primary School in WA.  The book is illustrated with rich, colourful drawings by the Roebourne Year 5/6 class of 2001.

The story is how the Creation being, Marrga (praying mantis), made the snake, Bargumyj (olive python) become slow, sluggish and a night hunter in rocks around water.

What I liked about Olive Python Dreaming is that the story is told in Yindjibarndi, Aboriginal English and Standard Australian English.  I speak Standard Australian English so reading the story out loud gave me the chance to experience what it feels and sounds like to speak the other languages.

Within the English language there are many different ways of speaking English, which are called dialects.  Aboriginal English and Standard Australian English are dialects of English.  Standard Australian English is taught in schools but other dialects have value and meaning and celebrate our diversity. 

It is fun to compare the way the story is told in the different English dialects.  The Aboriginal English tells the story as if the listener/reader knows or understands what the story is about.  Just like if you were talking to a friend about a film you had both seen.  This would be different to talking to a friend who had not seen the film.  In Aboriginal English, when telling a story, it is up to the listener to ask questions if they do not understand.  Standard Australian English tends to give all the details whether the listener/reader had heard the story before or not.

So what was my favourite bit?  When Olive Python bites the ghost gum tree and his eyes turn white.  Melanie says that every library should have a copy of this book and I think so too.  I really enjoyed reading it and like Melanie, I am showing it to my friends and family.

If you would like to order a copy of the book ($13.95 + postage) write to Child Education Services, 96 Royal Street, East Perth, WA, 6004. The book is also available at Roebourne School - PO Box 186, Roebourne, Western Australia 6718.
 

Child Education Services Contact                           Roebourne School Contact

Email:  info@childed.com.au                              
Phone: (08) 92256516                                       Phone: (08) 91821244
Fax:    (08) 92256518                                       Fax:   (08) 91821255
(Copied with permission of Bilby Bulletin)