Set in Southern Africa: The book opens with a San woman and four San men doing chores in their traditional village. The men go to hunt for an Eland bull, which they kill and eat. Book 2 in the Reading Tracks series.
Margaret James, M.Ed (TESOL), is the winner of several accolades including NT Australian of the Year finalist, QUT Faculty of Education outstanding alumni, Courier Mail 50 Brightest and Best. She was shaped by her multilingual rural childhood in Southern Africa where Indigenous languages surrounded her. This significantly influenced her choice of tertiary studies - among these were linguistics, languages, education, Teaching English as an Additional Language, choral conducting and voice. This background was to prove invaluable when, after a fulfilling and varied career in several countries, she moved into Indigenous Education in Australia. The paucity of engaging, early-reading material for EALD learners and her relationship with Elders of several Australian Nations, led her to develop several linguistically and culturally appropriate books and resources in English and several Aboriginal languages. Her first series is the innovative and highly successful Honey Ant® Readers. While visiting schools and communities in order to deliver Professional Development for the Honey Ant® Readers, Margaret became increasingly aware of the similar need for engaging, early-reading material for older learners as well. She worked closely with Elders, students and illustrators to develop linguistically and culturally appropriate learn-to-read story books for older readers, and books which could be enjoyed by non-Indigenous readers equally, while teaching them about the cultures and food gathering practices of Australian First Peoples. This included trips to the desert and the coast with Elders and children who shared their knowledge about tracking, hunting and fishing for food. Reading Tracks® - stories about hunting, tracking and fishing - is the result!
Geoff Higgs was raised and lived most of his life in Zimbabwe, before emigrating to Australia with his wife and two daughters. He was a mostly self-taught artist – principally a cartoonist, but also enjoyed painting landscapes. He always had a keen interest in wildlife. Sadly Geoff passed away soon after completing the illustrations in May 2018.
Unique. The second book in a series of progressive readers developed with Indigenous Elders and community. Fills a gap in the young adult and adult Indigenous learn-to-read market. Instils pride and confidence in Indigenous readers. Methods of tracking and hunting the Eland are authentic, embedded in a fictional, but realistic, story. This book raises awareness and understanding of other Indigenous peoples cultural practices. For such a unique resource developed with many contributors, the book is good value. FOR: Indigenous students learning to read in schools or adult education organisations e.g. prisons. WHY: Fun, colourful, humorous illustrations engage even the most reluctant readers. Unique book for Primary, Middle school and older people learning to read. Brochures, website, speak at conferences, promotional material to stakeholders, media - radio, video, TV, newspaper. Social media. Flyers.
