Christobel Mattingley 'was born on the Kaurnu Dreaming trail' and lived in the Adelaide plains until she was eight. (4). While she didn't realize at the time that this was 'a significant trail for the Kaurnu people who are the traditional custodians of the land', she attributes the 'geneisis of what she writes now' to 'things in my childhood that went right down to my subconscious' (4). Mayor Cox discusses Mattingley's early childhood and the nascent beginnings of her 'long and profound involvement with Australia's publishing industry' (4) as well as referring to a number of Mattingley's popluar publications and the responses they draw from readers. This includes Maralinga: The Anangu Story, The Miracle Tree, No guns for Asmir and the collection of Nunga stories entitled Survival in Our Own Land which she co-edited with Ken Hampton. There is also a 'fact box' which includes information on Mattingley's academic background, literary prizes and personal achievements