Review: Strangers on Country
Gaby Meares
We are all familiar with the idiom ‘before you judge a person, walk a mile in their shoes’. Strangers on Country does exactly that. We view five first encounters and what follows through the eyes of an Indigenous person and a European person. We are then given the the facts as they have been recorded.
It’s impossible not to relate to both sides of the story. This is a brilliant book that should be read by all Australians, both young and old. It’s beautifully illustrated, and includes a map, glossary and notes on resources.
The most important skill we can hope to teach our children is empathy; this book is all about empathy and seeing a story from all perspectives. It would be an invaluable resource for the classroom and a worthy addition to all school libraries and children’s libraries.