Uluru, Australia's Aboriginal Heart

by Caroline Arnold, Arthur P. Arnold (Illustrations)

Describes Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, in Australia's Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, its plant and animal life, and the country's Aboriginal people for whom the site is sacred.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2003

Reviews

[Celia Buell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been getting library notices for Uluru: Australia's Aboriginal Heart for a long time and overriding the renew period, so now I figure I should finally actually pick it up.

Verdict: I don't know why I've kept this one around for so long. It's not very engaging. The text is really dense and although it tries to be unbiased, I think it's a little condescending to the Aboriginal Anangu people. I can't put my finger on why.

I didn't end up finishing this one.

I will say I do like how this mixes in some of the traditions and science, although some of this seems like an afterthought.

*Read for: Children's Book group (Miscellaneous Club) - January 2023 Autralia

[538am_Allison Nork · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking to explore a unique part of Australia's history, Caroline Arnold provides that opportunity with her book. Uluru is a sandstone rock that lies in the Australian desert. While Uluru used to be a tourist attraction it has finally been returned the the Aboriginal people who originally lived in the area. Arnold does a great job of highlighting the importance of Uluru the the Anangu people. It is more than a pretty site to them, it is something spiritual. With fantastic pictures filling the pages and playing a perfect support to the text, students will feel like they got to explore a part of Australia through the reading of the book. At 64 pages it is manageable for grades ranging from 5th and up. This book is Booklist and School Library Journal Reviewed.

[JL Salty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos, good information. I would have liked to see more about aboriginal life here.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures were nice, but the text was dry. It would be a difficult book for a child to read on their own as there are many Aboriginal words (although there is a pronunciation guide in the back).

After reading the first chapter or so to the boys, I ended up reading through it myself, then telling my kids in my own words what I'd read. I wouldn't use this again. Aside from only touching briefly on things, it was boring and very textbookish. I didn't feel like we learned enough to make it worth the effort.