Forging friendships and navigating the complexities of relationships is something that all children can relate to. Here are some amazing books by Aboriginal authors and illustrators that celebrate mateship.
"Two Mates" by Melanie Prewett. Illustrated by Maggie Prewett
Two Mates is the true story of the special mateship between two young boys who have grown up together in the coastal town of Broome in Australia's north-west.
Jack is Indigenous and Raf is a non- Indigenous boy who has spina bifida. Jack and Raf take the reader on a journey of their daily life growing up in Broome.
Together they search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni, fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheros.
The fact that Raf is in a wheelchair is only revealed at the end of the story.
"Willy-Willy Wagtail Tales from the Bush Mob" by Helen Milroy
Tales from the Bush Mob is a series of books about the Bush Mob, a group of animals that works together to solve problems.
A rich landscape of characters and places populate this series and include Platypus, Koala, Emu, Wombat, Kookaburra, Echidna, Kangaroo and Gusto, the wind.
Places include Willy Wagtail’s Tree, Dingo’s Den, Old Billabong, Bird Meeting Place, Cockatoo’s Nesting Trees, Top Camp and Emu Race Track.
"Fair Skin Black Fella" by Renee Fogorty
The story of Mary, a young girl who lives on a dusty cattle station.
When she is shunned by the other girls because of her fair skin, Old Ned, one of the community elders, speaks up for her.
With words of wisdom, he teaches the girl that Aboriginal identity transcends skin colour and that family, community, country, and culture is what being Aboriginal is really about.
"The Lizard Gang" by Kirra Somerville. Illustrated by Grace Fielding
Meet Zed, Boo, Eliza and ZoroÑa spirited gang of monitor lizards who are constantlytrying to outdo each other.
They live deep in the Australian bush and are forced to learn the real meaning of teamwork when they have to band together to escape a raging flood
"Say Yes: A Story of Friendship, Fairness and a Vote for Hope" by Jennifer Castles. Illustrated by Paul Seden
Once there were two little girls who were best friends. They did everything together.
As they get older, they weren't allowed to do the same things anymore. Because they looked different.
Because of the law.
This is a story about the landmark 1967 Referendum, the two women who came together to change the law... and how the Australia people said YES.
"Ubby's Underdogs: Heroes Beginnings" by Brenton E McKenna
It is the late 1940s and Broome, a small pearling town in the heart of an ancient land, is still recovering from WWII. Ubby, a smart, street-wise Aboriginal girl, is the leader of a small rag-tag gang known as the ‘Underdogs.’ Ubby’s Underdogs: Heroes Beginnings (Book 2) is storytelling on a remarkable scale. It continues with established characters that have links to other worlds amidst an intricate backdrop of Aboriginal and Chinese mythology.
In this second graphic novel of the Ubby’s Trilogy, efforts to locate Sai Fong, the Dragon Summoner, by Ubby and her gang have been halted by the ambitious Pearling Master, Paul Donappleton. Yupman, the guardian of Sai Fong, is pushed to breaking point as his past reaches out to strike and his greatest fear now sits upon the horizon.
"Ubby’s Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix" Dragon by Brenton E McKenna
The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon is the first in the Ubby's Underdogs trilogy - shortlisted for the 2011 Deadly Awards, presented to Indigenous Australians for excellence in the areas of music, sport, entertainment and community.
It is the late 1940s and Broome, a small pearling town in the heart of an ancient land, is still recovering from WW11. Ubby, a smart, street-wise Aboriginal girl, is the leader of a small rag-tag gang known as the 'Underdogs'. Trying to make a name for the Underdogs, she meets Sai Fong, a Chinese girl just off the boat from Shanghai. From the moment Ubby and Sai Fong meet, their worlds collide as they find themselves thrown into a series of bizarre adventures full of myths and legends and everything from ancient mechanical demons to fantastic beasts - and secrets never before exposed. This is an epic tale that measures the limits of courage and friendship. Ubby's Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon is storytelling on a grand scale that pulls its central characters from the unique multicultural town of Broome. It expertly draws in characters that have links to other worlds amidst a complex backdrop of Aboriginal and Chinese mythology (fictionalised).
"Ubby's Underdogs: Return of the Dragons" by Brenton E McKenna
The long-awaited, final book in the Ubby's Underdogs trilogy.
It is the late 1940s and Broome, a small pearling town in the heart of an ancient land, is still recovering from WWII. Ubby, a smart, street-wise Aboriginal girl, is the leader of a small rag-tag gang known as the 'Underdogs.' Ubby's Underdogs: Return of the Dragons is storytelling on a remarkable scale. It continues with established characters that have links to other worlds amidst an intricate backdrop of Aboriginal and Chinese mythology.
Ubby and her gang of Underdogs cross into the Forbidden Zone on the Broome, Western Australia, coastline in a desperate bid to locate their missing friend Sai Fong who has disappeared without a trace. What they encounter is worse than anything they could ever have imagined - leaving them and the mercenaries who hunt them, trembling in terror. To survive, the Underdogs must call upon the local gangs to unite, solve the mystery of the Dragon Summoner, and make contact with the mysterious Phoenix Dragon to fight the battle of all battles against an evil and unearthly enemy. What is at stake is the future of humanity itself.
"Backyard Footy" by Carl Merrison. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell
Jy is playing football alone in his small backyard in the Kimberley, but when he accidentally kicks the ball over the fence, a footy adventure begins! Footy by yourself is fun but playing with mates is better.
The first title in a joyful black&write! Fellowship-winning series, where the fun only grows with family and friends!
"Little Ash Book 1: Perfect Match!" by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty teams up with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family.
Ash loves to play sport. She's tried karate, softball, netball and gymnastics. But none of those sports give her that tingly feeling, the one where you know it's something you'll absolutely love to do. How will Ash ever choose?
"Little Ash Book 2: Friendship Fix-it!" by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty teams up with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family.
Ash can't wait to play tennis with the big kids at school today! But when James's big school project breaks, Ash has to decide whether to help her friend fix his project at lunchtime, or play the game she loves. What will she do?
"Little Ash Book 3: Tennis Rush!" by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty teams up with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family.
It's the day of the tennis tournament and Ash is so excited to compete! But Ash forgets her favourite hat, there's a flat tyre and Ash wonders how they will ever get there! Will Ash arrive in time for her big match?
"Little Ash Book 4: Goal Getter!" by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey. Illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty teams up with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family.
Ash loves playing sport, but when she loses the lunchtime touch footy match, it sends her into a spin. What if she can't win anything ever again? Ash knows the answer. If she never plays anything again, then she won't have to lose! Will Ash quit sport for good?
"Little J & Big Cuz: The Big Race" by Dot West. Illustrated by Tony Thorne
School picnic day is nearly here! Little J, Big Cuz and all their friends can't wait for a day of desert fun.
Will Little J’s shiny tin roller win the big race?
Ready, set, GO!
"Sharing: Our place" by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson
When we share, there is plenty for all.
A tender, thoughtful story with a gentle reminder of all the ways sharing makes us stronger.
Sharing is book three in the award-winning Our Place series (Respect 2020, Family 2020) that introduces children to First Nations philosophies that are dear to Aunty Fay’s heart. Each book is a powerful educational tool, with exquisite illustrations.
Written with tenderness and clarity, Sharing is illustrated by award-winning creator Leanne Mulgo Watson (Cooee Mittigar 2019).
"Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo" by Alison Lester
The sixth title in Alison Lester s bestselling Clive Eats Alligators series, featuring Ernie, who goes to Arnhem Land and writes to his friends about his experiences.
When Ernie goes to live in an Aboriginal community in northern Australia, the people, climate, plants and animals are all new to him. Here are his letters to Clive, Nicky, Rosie, Frank, Tessa and Celeste, describing the life he discovers with his new friends in their wild and beautiful land.
Alison Lester visited Arnhem Land in 1996 and 1997 as a guest of the Gunbalanya Community School with her friend and fellow author Liz Honey. Together they worked with staff and students of the school to produce poems, plays, puppets and paintings. This book is based on a story the upper Primary students made about their lives, called We Love Gunbalanya . Arnhem Land is owned by the Aboriginal people who have lived there for more than 50,000 years. There are many different tribes and language groups throughout Arnhem Land, but at Gunbalanya, where this book is set, the main language spoken is Kunwinjku.
"Dreaming Soldiers" by Catherine Bauer. Illustrated by Shane McGrath
A powerful and moving story about true mateship.
Jimmy and Johnno are best mates.
The two young friends do everything together, sharing adventures and growing up side by side in the dusty cattle yards of an Australian Outback station.
When World War One strikes, they head overseas to fight on the battlefields of the Western Front.
Two boys from different cultures. A friendship for life.