Animal Dreaming: An Aboriginal Dreamtime Story

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Mirri is a young Aborigine. He is happy because he is finally old enough
to learn the secrets of the world’s creation. The elders take Mirri to
the “Place of the Animal Dreaming,” a special cave where fantastic
paintings cover the walls. One of the elders explains to Mirri what each
image means. He tells the story that long ago there was a great battle
among all the animals. The animals with wings wanted to rule the whole
world but all the animals of the land refused to submit. War raged
without end until three animals who refused to fight came to the very
cave that Mirri was in and dreamed of how to bring peace to the world.
When their dreams were realized, each animal found its own place in
creation, and peace was finally restored.

Animal Dreaming is based on the 50,000-year-old genesis traditions of
Aboriginal Australians. Part of the tale’s charm is the elegant way in
which Morin presents the ancient cultural heritage. Crocodiles and
snakes, for example, are given heroic roles in Aboriginal mythology, and
peace is achieved by certain animals who do not fit into the narrow
definition of land animals or animals with wings.

Morin’s illustrations, which depict traditional

Aboriginal patterns, brilliantly combine bright colors with highly
stylized designs. Highly recommended.