At the Koori Curriculum we encourage the embedding of Aboriginal perspectives in children’s interests as a way of contextualising culture instead of teaching about Aboriginal culture as if it is a topic, theme or interest.
Here we are sharing our top children’s books that include Aboriginal perspectives.
Transport Interest
"On The Way To Nana's" by Frances & Lindsay Haji-Ali. Illustrated by David Hardy
Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali take us counting backwards from FIFTEEN to ONE on this spectacular journey in the far north of WA.
When Frances and Lindsay lived with their family in Broome, they often set out to visit Nana in the tiny outback town of Wyndham over 1,000 km north.
These road trips took them across the magnificent Kimberley landscape and inspired this counting story.
From bulbous boabs and wild brumbies to weary travellers, flying magpie geese and flowing waterfalls, David Hardy’s striking illustrations capture the awe and excitement of this special family adventure.
Check out more transport resources here
Football Interest
"Marngrook: The Long-Ago Story Of Aussie Rules" by Titta Secombe. Illustrated by Grace Fielding
This is a tale of marngrook.The aboriginal ball game from north west Victoria, that inspired the birth of Australian AFL.
'A wonderful kids story that shares the origins of our national game.' Adam Goodes - Sydney Swans
Pirate Interest
"Molly the Pirate" by Lorraine Teece. Illustrated by Paul Sedden
Young Molly's imagination knows no bounds when she transforms her Australian backyard into an adventure playground on the high seas.
Molly conjures up a pirate ship on her inland horizon and takes her loyal cat and dog along for the ride as she rows across the choppy ocean to the unsuspecting pirates.
On board, she meets a feisty crew of salty buccaneers who look suspiciously like her own farmyard chickens. They are no match for Molly's daring exploits as she walks the plank, dances jolly jigs, scrambles up the rigging (or is that a clothesline?) and steers the ship like a true seafaring adventurer.
Monster Interest
"Monster Party" by Alison Lester & Jane Godwin
Monster Party is an explosion of fun and pure joy. Children will love the hilarious, naughty desert monsters who come out of the ground to have a party on Dora Lake.
Eating chips and monster cake, they go ‘galumphing’ all over the place with a drum and a bass! Of all shapes and sizes, these monsters create havoc for the children at Rawa Community School who live on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert – ‘dancing and stomping’, ‘crashing and crunching’, ‘prowling and growling’, ‘happy and smiling’! Jeepers creepers! The monster cut-out illustrations created by the students are delightful. Monster Party will capture the hearts of the very young and the young at heart.
Dinosaur Interest
"Return of the Dinosaurs" by Bronwyn Houston
A fun and dynamic look at what life would be like for dinosaurs if they were roaming the Broome coastline today!
Reflecting the famous colours of north west Australia and its rugged environment, the textured collage layers of artwork capture the character and beauty of the dinosaurs, birds, and marine life that roamed the Kimberley coastline more than 130 million years ago.
Check out our podcast for more ideas: Educator Yarns Season 3 Episode 6: Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives - Dinosaurs
Insect Interest
"Our Bugs: A Celebration of Australian Wildlife" By Bronwyn Bancroft
Our Bugs, celebrates the beauty found within the Australian landscape.
Australia's foremost Indigenous illustrator Dr Bronwyn Bancroft captures the essence of nature in this stunning board book.
Our Bugs is the magnificent companion to Our Birds.
- Our Bugs and Our Birds are brand-new board books from Bundjalung writer and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft
- Bronwyn is one of Australia's best-loved picture book creators, with close to a million books in print
- These books each introduce the youngest readers to 20 Australian creatures, with lyrical text and bright and fascinating artwork
Check out more insect resources here
Bird Interest
"Our Birds: A Celebration of Australian Wildlife" By Bronwyn Bancroft
Our Birds, celebrates the beauty found within the Australian landscape.
Australia's foremost Indigenous illustrator Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft captures the essence of nature in this stunning board book.
Our Birds is the magnificent companion to Our Bugs.
- Our BirdsandOur Bugsare brand-new board books from Bundjalung writer and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft
- Bronwyn is one of Australia's best-loved picture book creators, with close to a million books in print
- These books each introduce the youngest readers to 20 Australian creatures, with lyrical text and bright and fascinating artwork.
Check out more bird resources here
Football Interest
"My Deadly Boots by Carl" Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell
An empowering, uplifting picture book about what it is that makes you who you are, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo.
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.
