Be inspired and amazed by these incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander icons!
With colourful artwork and evocative writing, this book tells stories every Australian should know.
Powerful and exciting: here are seven inspiring stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from history. Each colourful spread in this illustrated book tells a compelling story.
In 1966, more than two hundred courageous Aboriginal people walked off the Wave Hill Cattle Station in the Northern Territory. Led by Vincent Lingiari, these stockmen and their families were walking together to fight for equal pay and land rights.
Exquisitely illustrated and designed, this non-fiction picture book brings a landmark historical event to a new generation. Many people have seen the iconic photograph of Gough Whitlam pouring a handful of red soil into the hands of Vincent Lingiari – a symbol of the legal transfer of Gurindji land back to the Gurindji people – and recognise this as a key moment in the ongoing land rights movement. Freedom Day delves into the events that led up to this moment, and makes a rallying cry for the things that still need to change in its wake.
Thomas Mayor co-authors this book with Rosie, Vincent Lingiari’s granddaughter, to bring this vital story to life. The story has been written in close consultation with the Lingiari family.
An accessible picture book for young children that introduces First Nations history and the term 'terra nullius' to a general audience, from Australian of the Year, community leader and anti-racism advocate Adam Goodes and political adviser and former journalist Ellie Laing, with artwork by Barkindji illustrator 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.
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!
Sea Country - Aunty Patsy Cameron, Lisa Kennedy
In this delightful children’s picture book, Aunty Patsy Cameron generously shares the stories and traditions from her family’s seasonal island life in Tasmania. With evocative text and stunning illustrations, Sea Country lets the reader know when to pick ripe wild cherries, when the moon (mutton) birds fly home and how the nautilus shells smell like the deepest oceans.
Aunty Patsy Cameron, who is a descendant of the Pairebeenne Trawlwoolway clan in Tasmania, weaves a cultural homage to life on Flinder’s Island, with stories of collecting shells, fishing in wooden dinghies with long oars, and watching clouds snake their way down Mt Munro. Alongside this tender story, Lisa Kennedy reveals the love and connection to sea and Country through her intricate collages and delicate illustrations that sing country alive.
The River - Sally Morgan, Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr
Another simple, universal story from Sally Morgan – this time a beautifully illustrated celebration of the life of the river. The River takes the reader on a journey of what their eyes can see and their ears can hear. See green ants crawling, hear frogs croaking, a goanna running, a fish splashing... Sally Morgan’s beautiful words and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr’s sensitive artwork combine to make this a unique, distinctive children’s picture book with global appeal. Johnny infuses his illustrations with his fine-art aesthetic and his traditional motifs to bring each page to vivid life.
Born to Run (picture book edition) - Cathy Freeman
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.
Wiradjuri Country - Larry Brandy
The Wiradjuri are the people of the three bila (rivers) and their nguram-bang (Country) is the second largest in Australia. Come with Uncle Larry Brandy on an enlightening journey through his Countryâs rivers, woodlands, grasslands and rocky outcrops, as well as the murri-yang (sky world).
Along the way, young readers will encounter animals such as bila-durang (platypus), and maliyan (wedge-tailed eagle), plants like the maybal (grass tree) and yirany (yam daisy), and discover stories like that of Tiddalik the giant frog. They will learn how Wiradjuri people lived on their Country, using the flower spikes of the grass tree as spears, soaking its flowers in water to make a sweet drink and weaving its leaves into baskets.
This is a unique book combining language, culture, Indigenous history and storytelling, written by a Wiradjuri author. It features colour photographs of animals, plants and habitats, as well as illustrations by Indigenous artists Kristie Peters and Scott âSauceâ Towney.
Karrkin My Body - Maureen Yanawana
This bilingual edition - in Mangala and English introduces non-Indigenous Australians to one of the five languages spoken at Bidyadanga (La Grange). The illustrations by and photographs of the students from La Grange KindiLink and Remote Community School reveal the joy the students felt in making this board book. It's a bright, beautiful and fun board book that is perfect for the youngest readers to learn the names of various parts of their body in their home language.
Karrkin features line drawings and gorgeous photographs, each with arrows pointing to the part of the body being referred to in the text. Young readers will delight in saying the name in Mangala and in English while pointing to the relevant part of the body in the book and on their own body. The book was created at an ILF workshop at Bidyadanga facilitated by ILF ambassador Alison Lester and Jane Godwin.
Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community (La Grange) is located on the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, 1,590 kilometres north of Perth and 180 kilometres south of Broome. Bidyadanga is the largest remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia, with a population of approximately 750 residents.
Leo and the Paperbark - Leanne Murner
This is number 5 in the series of Australian-themed books designed to educate little minds.
Leanne wanted to teach kids about Australian native flora and fauna, what they are and who needs them to survive. Leanne is busy working an another series of books teaching kids about Australian animals and their habitat, threats and how we can help.
Leanne is passionate about the need for children to be educated on Australian wildlife and the prevention of extinction.
Written by Leanne Murner and Illustrated by Kat Fox.
Resources
Downloadable Acknowledgement of Country Guide For Educators
Acknowledging and Welcoming Country are crucial practices that demonstrate respect and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These practices not only honour the Traditional Custodians of the land... Read More
Koori Curriculum Professional Development Catalogue
Complete the below form to be sent the Koori Curriculum Professional Development Catalogue
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Educate Don't Celebrate: 26 ways and whys to change the Date
The time to begin critically reflecting on what the 26th of January means and how your team will respond is now. Koori Curriculum has developed free resources and provocations to... Read More