Wongutha Tales

Compiling her beloved stories for the first time, Wongutha Tales by May L. O’Brien is an exciting new collection of classic tales. The Bawoo Stories and Badudu Stories were first published individually in 1992 and have since become favourites in the classroom and the home. This collection features O’Brien’s bilingual Wongutha and English stories, many of which are based on her ‘clear memories of some of the difficulties [she] had learning to speak English at the Mount Margaret Mission’.

The Bawoo Stories are traditional teaching stories, ‘Why the Emu Can’t Fly’ is a cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris – and how it left the emus to walk. The Badudu Stories are drawn from O’Brien’s own memories of school life. They capture the cheeky spirit of primary school life, navigating the social dynamics and negotiating with grown-ups. Featuring a Wongutha pronunciation guide, this collection is a wonderful addition to any home or library, and a fitting tribute to an extraordinary children’s storyteller. For ages 6+.