Renee Fogorty,
Fair Skin, Black Fella
Magabala Books, 2010.

Ages 5-12

In keeping with what we have come to expect from Australian publisher Magabala Books, Fair Skin, Black Fella is a beautifully produced and perfectly proportioned picture book.  It is the story of a girl called Mary, who is excluded by her peers because of the color of her skin: because Mary is “what the white people called a half-caste.  Her guuni [mother] was black and her babeen [father] was white.”  One day, after hearing two girls, Neli and Lana, taunting Mary about her looks, Old Ned, a community elder, calls the three girls to him and explains quite firmly that it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, it’s how you feel on the inside that’s important: “You should cherish each other.  Keep our spirit alive…Colour is a state of mind, girls.” Neli and Lana feel ashamed of their behaviour and invite Mary to come along with them.  Mary, naturally enough, is just happy to have some friends at last, and the story ends with the three girls playing together.

Fair Skin, Black Fella is a story that is very close to its author’s heart: Renee Fogorty wrote it when she was in her last year at high school, based on her own experiences.  She manages to convey very effectively the prejudice that is sometimes shown towards people of mixed race, and the hurt such prejudice can cause.  Her language is clear and perfectly attuned to young children, but the unfussy narrative, as well as the subject-matter it deals with, means that this book will also be appreciated by older readers; and teachers might find it an excellent resource with reluctant readers.

In addition, the book has enormous visual appeal.  Bold brush strokes fill out the dusty, red background of the cattle station and the patterns and dots root the art in its Aboriginal heritage.  Huge eyes in mouthless faces draw the observer in to share in the depths of emotion that is intimated in the writing.  Together they make a potent mix.  Special mention should also be made of the recurring motif of bead-like dots which are particularly effective encircling Mary and her parents at the beginning, and then later on, as Mary’s tears.

Fair Skin Black Fella is a story that needs to be heard and Renee Fogorty has told it in such a way that children will want to sit up and listen.

Marjorie Coughlan
June 2010