Muttonfish Magic by Aunty Ruth Simms, Lucy Robertson and Jasmine Seymour

Muttonfosh Magic is an engaging and culturally rich story in First Nations traditions from the childhood memories of co-author Aunty Ruth Simms. Aunty Ruth grew up at Number 24, The Reserve, La Perouse. She tells of her mother and three brothers walking to the rocky platforms of Cruwee Cove with an old cane pram full of what they would need for the day. It is here that Aunty Ruth and her brothers learnt from their mother how to catch fish, hunt and cook in the traditional ways.

Aunty Ruth shares how her mother showed them the dart-barrie – the action of feeding a fishing line between rocky crevices to the sea – after she had made the fishing line from fish intestines with quick strong fingers. She waited patiently until the speckled spiny muckendy (rock cod) was hooked on the line and pulled up swiftly. Her mother showed the children how to find muttonfish (abalone), gather salt flakes and collect nudgin (fresh water) milked from the sandstone cliffs.

The striking illustrations by CBCA award winning illustrator Jasmine Seymour are simply stunning. The use of soft pastel tones, textured layers, bold images and a warm light, reveal a gentle connectedness to both family and Country.

Muttonfish Magic is a beautiful book that deserves a place in any library collection. It will be a powerful resource for sharing stories of culture and tradition for all readers.  

Themes: First Nations, Memories, La Perouse (Larpa) – NSW South Coast, Traditional Fishing, Hunting, Cooking, Family.

Kathryn Beilby