Resources
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent
Barefoot Books - Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent retold by James Cowan
Barefoot Books, an imprint of Shambhala publications, Inc., offers three marvellous myths in keeping with its commitment to delight and inspire readers by publishing new and
traditional myths,legends, and fairy tales in which the characters, faced with the challenges of life, find the courage to face and overcome adversity . A foreword in each of the books allows the authors to provide essential cultural background, and explain the symbols and underlying themes. This frees the author as storyteller to tell the tale in the appropriate voice, with the reading audience more fully aware of the true depth of the story and the many layers of meaning. This discussion gives the reader insight into the author's perspective, focus and intent, heightening the reader's appreciation of the storyteller's craft.
The Myth of Isis and Osiris
The Outlandish Adventures of Orpheus in the Underworld
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent retold by James Cowan, illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft. ISBN 1-56957-906-7 (hc) 31 P $21.50 Cdn
This aboriginal creation myth from Australia tells of the time, when the world was new, that the Rainbow Serpent helped the flying foxes. In this tale, their most revered spirit being, Kun-Man-Gur, creates and selects food for these creatures, separates the species, and shows himself, finally, to be the rainbow.
Reviewed by Mary Baldasaro
The Second Story Review, Vol 1, No. 1, March 1996
Barefoot Books, an imprint of Shambhala publications, Inc., offers three marvellous myths in keeping with its commitment to delight and inspire readers by publishing new and
traditional myths,legends, and fairy tales in which the characters, faced with the challenges of life, find the courage to face and overcome adversity . A foreword in each of the books allows the authors to provide essential cultural background, and explain the symbols and underlying themes. This frees the author as storyteller to tell the tale in the appropriate voice, with the reading audience more fully aware of the true depth of the story and the many layers of meaning. This discussion gives the reader insight into the author's perspective, focus and intent, heightening the reader's appreciation of the storyteller's craft.
The Myth of Isis and Osiris
The Outlandish Adventures of Orpheus in the Underworld
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent
Kun-Man-Gur The Rainbow Serpent retold by James Cowan, illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft. ISBN 1-56957-906-7 (hc) 31 P $21.50 Cdn
This aboriginal creation myth from Australia tells of the time, when the world was new, that the Rainbow Serpent helped the flying foxes. In this tale, their most revered spirit being, Kun-Man-Gur, creates and selects food for these creatures, separates the species, and shows himself, finally, to be the rainbow.
This deceptively simple tale is retold in a charming, folksy way. The different voices of the animal characters, such as Kunbul the Bat, speak to the reader (with Australian accents, naturally). Bronwyn Bancroft's stunning artwork depicts a time when the world was fresh. There is surprising similarity between the artist's vibrant Aboriginal images and those of Canadian Inuit First Nation artists.
Reviewed by Mary Baldasaro
The Second Story Review, Vol 1, No. 1, March 1996