NAIDOC Week
We have wonderful resources for you to help celebrate NAIDOC Week and beyond. Check out the books below:
By Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing
Illustrated by David Hardy
Harvey and Mum are heading to their favourite park for a walk on Cammeraygal land.
'Time to awaken the ancestors,' says Uncle Boris.' Every time we sing or acknowledge Country, the ancestors are listening.'
What do you know about the Country where you live?
Inspired by the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Walk With Us is an invitation to go on a journey of learning and appreciation - with family, with friends, and with our nation - together.
The bestselling Welcome to Our Country series aims to connect young children, parents and educators with First Nations history and culture.
By Aunty Munya Andrews
Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
Explore the seasons on Bardi Country with Aunty Munya in this new children's series.
Ask Aunty: Seasons is a delightful and educational picture book for children aged 5 to 10 years that introduces First Nations seasonal calendars.
Have you ever been excited for the first day of summer, only to be disappointed when it arrives cold and rainy? For First Nations People, the seasons don’t change when the calendar does. Instead, we can look for changes in plants, animals, water, weather and the stars to mark the start of a new season.
Aunty Munya explains how there are six seasons on her Country. Mankal is the rainy season, bringing strong winds from the ocean, while Barrgan is the season when bush fruits are most plentiful.
With stunning illustrations by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, Ask Aunty: Seasons encourages all readers to develop a deeper connection with the land, waters and sky.
By Corey Tutt
Illustrated by Molly Hunt
This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! is an inspirational, illustrated compendium that celebrates the diversity and success of First Nations People.
Written by Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists, this book features the profiles of more than 70 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism and science, through to politics, education and literature. It showcases the careers and Corey’s personal stories of First Nations People who have done great things in their respective fields, including Professor Marcia Langton, Miranda Tapsell, Tony Armstrong, Dr Anita Heiss, Danzal Baker (Baker Boy), Adam Goodes and Blak Douglas.
Molly Hunt's deadly illustrations make this book the perfect gift for all ages. A celebration of Blak excellence, it will inspire future generations to create change and leave readers to ponder, ‘What makes ME deadly?’
By Isaiah Firebrace
Illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai
Come Together is a heart-warming, debut picture book for children aged 5 and up from pop artist Isaiah Firebrace, inspired by his petition to the Australian Government calling for Aboriginal history to be taught in every classroom.
In this essential book, Isaiah, a Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man, establishes a foundation of First Nations knowledge with 20 key topics. Alongside bright and contemporary illustrations by Mununjali and Fijian artist Jaelyn Biumaiwai, Isaiah connects us to each topic through his own personal story and culture, from the importance of Elders to the Dreaming.
At once accessible and engaging, Come Together will make every Aussie kid proud that we are home to the longest continuing culture on Earth!
By Helen Milroy
Illustrated by Helen Milroy
From the author of the Backyard series, Helen Milroy's latest picture book invites readers to realise the magic of the stars.
Owl loved the sparkle of the stars. He would sit out on his tree at dusk and wait for them to appear.
One evening, Owl became worried. His favourite little star had not shown herself. Owl searched far and wide. Where could Little Star be?
By Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing
Illustrated by David Hardy
'Where are we going again?' asks Lucy.
'Back on Country,' says Mum. 'Where we're going is where your nanna comes from, where we come from. Our Country is special to us. You'll see.'
It's Lucy and David's first time back on Country.
They meet their cousins and Elders, and see special places, learn local language words and hear stories as old as time.
Join them to feel the strength that comes from being back on Country.
By Helen Milroy
Illustrated by Helen Milroy
The characters in Bush Mob Counting are from the ‘Tales from the Bush Mob’ Series of books about a group of animals Eagle, Sugar Glider, Bat, Platypus, Koala, Wombat, Kookaburra, Echidna and Kangaroo, who work together to solve problems. Each book shares a rich landscape of colours, characters and places. Bush Mob Counting is a fun and colourful way for young children to learn how to count to 10. Milroy’s famous animal characters are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.
By Cheryl Kickett-Tucker
Illustrated by Tyrown Waigana
Written in Noongar and English, and illustrated with striking contemporary artwork, Ninni Yabini is a memorable celebration of family and belonging.
In this delightful picture book, Mother and Father swan are busy rebuilding their nest after a storm when their baby, Ninni Yabini, wanders off. Luckily, the evening star, his namesake, comes out to guide him home.
By Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler
Illustrated by Samantha Campbell
Spikes on the bottom boots, my favourite colour boots, making me too deadly. Can the shoes on your feet really make you jump higher? Walk taller? Dream bigger?
A joyous, empowering story about finding confidence within yourself, boots or no boots, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo.
'The text has a punchy sense of addictive rhythm ... [and] the story is full of heart' Books+Publishing
By Joe Ross and Stacey Bush
Illustrated by Remi Ross and Boheme Ross
Winthali is a traditional Bunuba story, adapted here by Joe Willigan Ross, and Stacey Bush. Greedy Old Man Crocodile (Lallanggarra) won't share his fire with the Bunuba people, but Brown Falcon (Girrganyi), with the help of the young animals comes up with a clever plan to take a fire-stick from his home at Jarrambaya. This story belongs to the Danggu people of the Fitzroy Valley.
By Dave mangenner Gough
Illustrated by Samantha Campbell
niyakara is leaving the village to hunt tara, kangaroo.
On his mind is the chief’s daughter, tuminana, who is at the water with the women, collecting shells and working.
But down on the beach, niyakara hears three thuds...
boom boom boom
With rhythmic intensity, luwa tara luwa waypa tells the captivating story of niyakara’s journey from boy to man, a story of courage and transformation.
Dave mangenner Gough’s powerful words and Samantha Campbell’s expressive artwork bring to vivid life the ancestral spirit and enduring strength of the palawa people of Tasmania.
By Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Fresh, funny and highly original, Tangki Tjuta Donkeys is an endearing dual language story about how donkeys came to be a rich part of life for one Aboriginal community. Told in Pitjantjatjara and English.
Long, long ago, we didn't have donkeys. We didn't have a lot of the things we have today. We didn't know donkeys existed.
Our people used to walk with their camels and donkeys from Areyonga to Ernabella. They brought their donkeys here, and left them.
Donkeys are malpa wiru, valuable friends and helpers in the families and desert community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in the APY Lands of northern South Australia. People set off on their donkeys for picnics and longer journeys, always returning home safely.
Told in Pitjantjatjara and English and featuring the whimsical, distinctive sculptures that have made Tjanpi Desert Weavers famous, this dual language Australian story offers warm and humorous insights from an Anangu perspective.
The Pitjantjatjara text is by Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM and Imuna Kenta based on stories by Akitiya Angkuna Tjitayi, Imuna Kenta and Anne Karatjari Ward, and the English translation is by Linda Rive. The artworks featured in Tangki Tjuta - Donkeys are created by seventeen artists of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a social enterprise of Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council supporting 400+ women to create fibre art across the central and western desert regions of Australia. The artists made these sculptures from minarri, wangunu and intiyanu: desert grasses collected from their Lands. They bound the grass together around wire frames with string, wool or raffia. One of the donkeys was made from buffel grass, which was introduced by Piranpa (white people) and has become a weed. Tjanpi means desert grass in the Western Desert language.
By Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard
Illustrated by Richard Pritchard
Wylah is brave, clever and strong-willed, and all her best friends are giant megafauna animals. But she isn't a warrior. Not yet, anyway.
Then comes the day when her family is stolen by the dragon army, and her life is forever changed. She must find the courage to set out on a journey to save them. What will it take for Wylah to become a warrior, like her Grandmother before her?
Introducing an unforgettable cast of characters, Wylah The Koorie Warrior is a heart-stopping and imaginative adventure, inspired by First Nations history and grounded in culture.
By Cathy Freeman
Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
A gorgeous picture book that will inspire girls and boys everywhere to chase their dreams.
As a little girl, Cathy Freeman had only had one dream - to win a gold medal at the Olympics. At twenty-seven years old, that dream came true. At the Sydney 2000 Games, she crossed the finish line, won a gold medal for Australia and became a national hero. How did she go from being a little girl who loved to run to an inspiration to people around the world?
Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, Cathy tells her story about where self belief, hard work and the power of a loving family can take you.
By Corey Tutt
Illustrated by Blak Douglas
The First Scientists is the highly anticipated, illustrated science book from Corey Tutt of DeadlyScience. With kids aged 7 to 12 years in mind, this book will nourish readers’ love of science and develop their respect for Indigenous knowledge at the same time.
Have you ever wondered what the stars can tell us? Did you know the seasons can be predicted just by looking at subtle changes in nature? Maybe you have wondered about the origins of glue or if forensic science is possible without a crime scene investigation. Australia's First peoples have the longest continuing culture on Earth and their innovation will amaze you as you leaf through the pages of this book, learning fascinating facts and discovering the answers to life's questions.
In consultation with communities, Corey tells us of many deadly feats – from bush medicine to bush trackers – that are today considered 'science', and introduces us to many amazing scientists, both past and present. The breadth of ‘sciences’ is incredible with six main chapters covering astronomy, engineering, forensic science, chemistry, land management and ecology. The first scientists passed on the lessons of the land, sea and sky to the future scientists of today through stories, song and dance, and many of these lessons are now shared in this book.
Vibrant illustrations by Blak Douglas bring the subjects to life, so you’ll never think about science as just people in lab coats ever again!
By Victor Steffensen
Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen
Looking After Country with Fire is a picture book for 5- to 10-year-olds that demonstrates respect for Indigenous knowledge, following the success of Victor Steffensen's bestselling adult book Fire Country.
Mother Nature has a language. If we listen, and read the signs in the land, we can understand it.
For thousands of years, First Nations people have listened and responded to the land and made friends with fire, using this knowledge to encourage plants and seeds to flourish, and creating beautiful places for both animals and people to live.
Join Uncle Kuu as he takes us out on Country and explains cultural burning. Featuring stunning artwork by Sandra Steffensen, this is a powerful and timely story of understanding Australia's ecosystems through Indigenous fire management, and a respectful way forward for future generations to help manage our landscapes.
At the back of the book, you will also find lyrics to a song written by author Victor Steffensen with the same title, 'Looking After Country with Fire'.
By Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing
Illustrated by David Hardy
For thousands and thousands of years,
Aboriginal people lived in the land we call Australia.
The land was where people
built their homes,
played in the sun,
and sat together to tell stories.
When the white people came,
they called the land
Terra Nullius.
They said it was nobody's land.
But it was somebody's land.
Somebody's Land is an invitation to connect with First Nations culture, to acknowledge the hurt of the past, and to join together as one community with a precious shared history as old as time.
Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing's powerful words and David Hardy's pictures, full of life, invite children and their families to imagine themselves into Australia's past - to feel the richness of our First Nations' history, to acknowledge that our country was never terra nullius, and to understand what 'welcome to our country' really means.
By Miranda Tapsell & Joshua Tyler
Illustrated by Samantha Fry
Everyone on the island is getting ready for Aunty's wedding. Maningawu puts on her best hat and I can wear a wurrijinga in my hair. Lucky! We all dress up, but I still don't understand. Why do people have a wedding?
A warm family story that celebrates love and culture from actor, activist, writer and Australian sweetheart, Miranda Tapsell, and Joshua Tyler, co-writer of Top End Wedding, lushly illustrated by Samantha Fry.
By Jasmine Seymour
Illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson
*Shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2020: Children's Literature*
*Shortlisted for the SPN Book of the Year Award 2020*
*Longlisted for the CBCA 2020 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books*
*Longlisted for the 2020 ABIA Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year*
'Warami mittigar. Hello friend.
We welcome you to Darug Country.'
Cooee Mittigar, meaning Come Here Friend, is an invitation to yana (walk), on Darug Country. In this stunning picture book, Darug creators Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson tell a story on Darug Songlines, introducing children and adults-alike to Darug Nura (Country) and language.
Greeted by Mulgo, the black swan, readers are welcomed to Nura. Journeying through the seasons, Mulgo describes the land, skyscape, birds, animals and totems. It is a gentle guide to how Darug people read the seasons, knowing when it is time to hunt and time to rest. It is also an appeal to remember, offering new ways of seeing and reading the lands of the surrounding Sydney region.
With Darug language interspersed with English and an extensive glossary throughout, Cooee Mittigar presents an important tool for learning, told as a tender story with exquisite illustrations. It is Jasmine and Leanne's wish that with this book, everyone will know that the Darug mob are still here and still strong.
Cooee mittigar. Tread softly on our lands.
Know that this dreaming was here. Is still here.
Will be forever.
Teachers' Notes available here
By Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson &Carol Turner
Illustrated by Blak Douglas
This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer.
Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it's wobbly and wild, like a snake. He's in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there's something wrong with him.
Dujuan's family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people.So he can be proud of himself.I
Illustrated by Blak Douglas, winner of the Archibald Prize 2022