Listen
Title: Listen Authors: Duncan Smith and Nicole Godwin Paintings by: Jandamarra Cadd Publisher: Wild Dog Books Publication date: August 2023 RRP: $24.99 Teachers’ Notes: Available on the Wild Dog Books website here From the creators who produced We Are Australians comes Listen, masterfully and powerfully written by Duncan Smith and Nicole Godwin with breathtaking and joyous paintings by […]
Star of Anise
Star of Anise written by Jane Jolly, illustrated by Di Wu and published by National Library of Australia Publishing is a 2022 CBCA Notable book in the Picture Book of the Year category and brings to life a slice of Australian history from the 1850s that is lesser known. This gentle story is set in […]
Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country
Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy is a story about the connection to Country and jubilation that a highly anticipated ceremony brings – one rich in traditions, culture and family. This is the second book in the Welcome to Our Country series, the first being […]
Looking After Country with Fire: Aboriginal burning knowledge with Uncle Kuu
Looking After Country with Fire: Aboriginal burning knowledge with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen is a picture book that educates young readers about the use of First Nations fire practices to manage the land. In this story, Uncle Kuu spends time with children in the bush to observe what is […]
Through Old Eyes
Through Old Eyes, an anthology of poems by Uncle Wes Marne, a proud Bigambul man and community elder, recently celebrated his 100th birthday. To mark this milestone he released his first book, Through Old Eyes, containing fifty of his poems. This book is published by BLACKBOOKS a division of Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative Limited. These poems […]
Books for Anzac Day – Part 2
Books for Anzac Day (first blog post containing seventeen books can be found on the Reading Opens Doors blog here). One way for children to learn about Anzac day, in a way that is accessible for them is through books that sensitively tell stories about the men and women who served – stories about their […]
Charlie’s Swim
Charlie’s Swim written by proud Bardi woman Edith Wright and illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, descendant of the Bundjalung people from the Clarence River and published by Magabala Books is a true story that honours the author’s selfless and courageous uncle, Charles D’Antoine, who showed enormous bravery during World War II. Charlie displayed such courage and […]
This Old Thing
This Old Thing written by Cassandra Webb and illustrated by Tony Flowers is a moving book about memories, war, stories and remembering the past. Tony Flowers always uses the endpapers as an opportunity to begin the narrative, divulge more about the story and stir readers’ curiosity. In this book, he has included different sets of […]
Somebody’s Land
Somebody’s Land: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy is the first picture book in what is to be a series that will include five books. This is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the traditional custodians of the land and the gifts that are […]
Australia Remembers Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly
Title: Australia Remembers Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly Author: Catherine Bauer Publisher: Big Sky Publishing Publication date: September 1, 2021 Genre: Historical non-fiction narrative Themes: First Nations Australians, family, Aboriginal culture, Australian military history, Royal Australian Air Force, discrimination, racism, Australian government policy, courage, heroism, perseverance, service to country. Additional notable information: Teachers’ […]