Father Sky and Mother Earth

by Oodgeroo Noonuccal

Celebrate the work of one of Australia's foremost Aboriginal poets with this timeless illustrated storybook

Father Sky and Mother Earth created a beautiful world. They filled the world with plants and animals, and everyone lived in peace and happiness ... until Human Animals came along with their noise, rubbish, smoke and oil. The animals ran away and plants began to die.

This cautionary story, accompanied by colourful illustrations, has a happy ending. Discover how the worried Human Animals stop the destruction. This 4th edition of Father Sky and Mother Earth contains a vital message that is as relevant today as it was when the story was first published 40 years ago.This special edition brings this vital book back into print in time for NAIDOC week.

Genres: Australia, Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Oodgeroo Noonuccal (/ˈʊdʒəruː/ /ˈnuːnəkəl/ uud-gə-roo noo-nə-kəl; born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska, formerly Kath Walker) (3 November 1920 – 16 September 1993) was an Australian poet, political activist, artist and educator. She was also a campaigner for Aboriginal rights. Oodgeroo was best known for her poetry, and was the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse.

Oodgeroo won several literary awards, including the Mary Gilmore Medal (1970), the Jessie Litchfield Award (1975), and the Fellowship of Australian Writers' Award.

In 1979, she was awarded the Sixth Annual Oscar at the Micheaux Awards Ceremony, hosted by the US Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and in the same year received the International Acting Award for the film Shadow Sisters.

She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1970, returning it in 1987 to protest the Australian Bicentenary celebrations, and to make a political statement at the condition of her people.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And they were all very happy creating and balancing and loving and living and helping one another"
In one small beautiful book is the most sense I have read about the environment in a long long time.
"Father Sky and Mother Earth, their children Moon, Sun, Rock and Sea, and their children's servants lived in peace and happiness. And there was beauty everywhere.
Until.....
Until. ..........
One time a strange Animal came among them. This Animal was not like any Animal they had ever sen and this Animal was called Human"......
This book actually made every hair on my body stand on end and I found I had eyes full of tears.
A guaranteed purchase for the wee folk in my life and for me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually wild about creation stories, but I was enchanted by the artwork in this book! I also liked this one's look to the future when, hopefully, worried humans will be numerous enough to fix the mess and pollution they created. Book was originally published in Australia in 1981.

[Katey Flowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creation story and a reminder that humans need to tread more carefully on this earth.

[Steve Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's modern Dreamtime story. It tells the story of how Father Sky and Mother Earth made the world and how their children, Sun, Moon, Sea and Rock and their servants created trees, birds, animals reptiles and insects. They all lived in harmony until Animal Human comes along and the landscape changes. Waterways become polluted, animals are hunted, and habitats are destroyed. Eventually some Animal Humans begin to realise what is happening and begin to clean up Father Sky and Mother Earth. A story that everyone, not just children MUST read AND take to heart. 

[Hannah Bussmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine romantisierte Schöpfungsgeschichte, die nicht nach der Entstehung der Welt Halt macht, sondern gezielt auf die Zerstörung der Natur durch den Menschen aufmerksam macht. Trotzdem gibt es ein Happy End. Angemessen und leicht verständlich für Kinder.

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a well told tale, with the right amount of social activism and hope sprinkled across to urge everyone to take action now.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I champion Indigenous authors and illustrators but this book was a dull exhausting read about natural elements. Daughter lost interest and I finished somehow.