Going for Oysters

Adams, who lived and worked in an Australian Aboriginal community, here offers a slight tale about an extended Aboriginal family's weekend camping trip to Love River. Though he chooses to stay home, wise Grandad warns the tale's narrator to avoid ``the story place of Yaatamay, the Carpet Snake.'' Traveling in two boats, the group lands on a beach, where they set up camp and cast nets to catch fish. The tale's young narrator explains that ``Mum had already made tea and some johnnycakes, so we had a good feed.'' After collecting oysters, which cling to the roots of mangroves, the family feasts once again. Playing in a dinghy, the children have a scare when they get too close to the legendary spot Grandad had cautioned them about. Although the book opens with a brief glossary of Australian words, youngsters may still be puzzled by some of the terms used: the narrator refers to her ``big cousin-sister''; and Grandad puts ``underarm smell'' on a baby so that ``the spirits of the Old People will recognize you and keep you safe.'' Yet Adams succeeds--through her childlike narrative and stylized, batik-like paintings--in portraying an intriguing culture that will be new to most readers. Ages 7-10. (Jan.)