Outback Country: A Collection of Short Stories from Cunnamulla (Kids from Cunnamulla, ILF)

Outback Country by Kids from Cunnamulla is a spirited collection of short stories that capture life in the town through children’s eyes. Produced through the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Community Publishing program, the book offers a window into the everyday experiences, creativity and imagination of young First Nations storytellers from the Paroo Shire in South West Queensland. The book opens with a hand-drawn map and a foreword that emphasise its purpose within the community: to spark discussion, encourage children to share their voices and foster a culture of creativity and learning. Visually, it is bold and engaging, with full-colour double-page illustrations by the children that bring the stories to life. The collection spans everyday moments such as riding a motorbike, fishing or caring for younger siblings, as well as more fantastical adventures. For readers beyond the community, additional background on Cunnamulla or the workshop process behind the book would have been a welcome inclusion. Still, a playful feature is a QR code, which allows the stories to be heard aloud. Outback Country is a joyful and imaginative collection with a distinctly youthful energy, perfect for readers aged 7+. It also serves as an inspiring resource for classrooms and libraries, showing how stories can express and celebrate the spirit of a community.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is the reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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