Fossils & Families: Aboriginal Life and Craft by Janet Mathews, Illustrated by Walter Stackpool (1981)

Author:
Janet Mathews
Illustrator: Walter Stackpool

Publisher:
Sydney: Collins, 1981
ISBN: 0001950355 / 9780001950351
Format: Hardcover, 127 pages, illustrated with drawings and maps
Condition: Very Good – light general wear, internally clean

Description:
This beautifully illustrated and accessible book offers a rich introduction to traditional Aboriginal life and craft, exploring how Aboriginal Australians may have lived before European contact. Written for a younger audience but suitable for all readers, Fossils & Families draws from both prehistoric and ethnographic research, covering colonisation theories, daily life, social structures, and material culture.

Janet Mathews' storytelling is engaging and informative, while Walter Stackpool’s illustrations bring scenes of traditional life vividly to life. Topics include food gathering, shelter building, art, tools, and family customs, providing insight into the ingenuity and cultural richness of Aboriginal Australians.

Why You’ll Love It:
A timeless introduction to Aboriginal culture and lifeways, this book is ideal for educators, home-schoolers, parents, and young readers. It encourages curiosity and respect for Australia's First Peoples and supports learning through story and visual detail.