Mary Malbunka, When I was Little Like You (2003)

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# 39 - Mary Malbunka, When I was Little Like You (2003)

Mary Malbunka is an Anangu woman who lives at Papunya Aboriginal community in the Western Desert. She has written a brief autobiography aimed at children - I'd say it was suitable for mid-Primary school children.

She had helped produce the *Papunya School Book of Country and History* which I reviewed previously. This is not surprising as she is a literacy worker who also writes and illustrates books for use in the local school.

The book is a sweet story about going camping and hunting with her family. It uses Luritja words but provides annotation in the text as well as a glossary at the end, so I think it is not beyond the scope of a middle school child.

Mary Malbunka has illustrated the book herself. Her uncle, Long Jack Phillipus, was one of the originators of the Western Desert art movement in the 1970s and she has maintained the strong tradition of art.

I'd give this book two thumbs up for accessibility and for providing a conflict-free description of childhood.