The Turtle and the Island
Folk Tales from Papua New Guinea
Collected by Donald S. Stokes and retold by Barbara Ker Wilson.
Illustrated by Tony Oliver
This vintage first edition hardback book was published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1978. It is a beautifully curated collection of folk tales and stories collected by Donald S. Stokes during his time as a lecturer in English in Lei, Papua New Guinea, in the early 1970s, and here retold by Barbara Ker Wilson. It is an excellent introduction to the folklore of Papua New Guinea, capturing the spirit of the region's rich storytelling traditions. Wilson's retelling of these old stories maintains a simple, lyrical quality and combines beautifully with Tony Oliver's evocative sepia toned illustrations of flora, fauna and traditional village life. These illustrations are a defining feature of this edition, providing a visual authenticity that complements the theme of each story. This collection is both a cultural resource and a delightful read, suitable for both children and adults. It is perfect for families, educators and anybody with an interest in world folklore and first nations cultures.
Apart from some very slight edgewear to the dust jacket, this book is in good condition, both inside and out, with no creases, tears, annotations or other markings. Recommended.