Author:
Marion James
Illustrator: V.R. Watt (some illustrations)
Publisher: St. Vincent’s Boys’ Home, Westmead, N.S.W., 1944
Edition: Second Enlarged Edition
Format: Hardcover, 123 pages, illustrated
Condition: Fair – wear to boards, damage to spine, tanning of pages
Description:
Yabba-Yabba—an Aboriginal word meaning “talks”—is a vintage anthology of stories, poems, and reflections for children, celebrating Australia’s landscapes, birds, and First Peoples. Originally published during WWII, this enlarged second edition features tales of the bush and verses informed by early 20th-century perspectives on Aboriginal culture.
Included is a glossary of Aboriginal words, making it both a literary and educational piece reflective of its time. With its connection to the Marcie Muir collection of Australian children's books, this is a notable title for collectors of heritage children's literature.
Why You’ll Love It:
This rare 1944 edition offers a fascinating glimpse into Australian cultural storytelling for children during the mid-20th century, combining evocative bush tales, birds, and Aboriginal themes. While its language reflects its era, it stands as a historical artefact of children's literature and Australia’s literary approach to race and nature at the time.
