Open Your Heart to Country wins PM Children’s Literature Award

Borderland by Graham Akhurst

Borderland by Graham Akhurst Borderland by Graham Akhurst (UWA Publishing $22.99) “I thought of songlines and creation story pathways. I wondered what ancient knowledges, Laws, and songs lay across that land. ‘And this is where they will be mining?’ I asked”. (Borderland) It seems as though everyone is reading Graham Akhurst’s debut Borderland, an atmospheric YA […]

Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations seasons)

Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations Seasons) By Aunty Munya Andrews Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Published by Hardie Grant Explore Ask Aunty: Seasons by Aunty Munya Andrews with illustrations by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is published by Hardie Grant Explore. Available in stores nationally from 15 November, RRP $24.99. “I love my culture and I love […]

Dirrarn by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler

Dirrarn by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler Illustrated by Dub Leffler Published by Magabala Books “Mia felt so far from home. Growing up in a remote outback community, she had still faced her share of bullies. She’s dealt with it in her own way then. Telling a teacher sometimes worked, other times a big brother […]

Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace ill. Jaelyn Biumaiwai

Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace, ill. Jaelyn Biumaiwai (Hardie Grant Publishing) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Isaiah Firebrace is a Yorta Yorta and Gundit Jamara man whose formative years were spent on the banks of the Murray […]

Our Dreaming by Kirli Saunders & Dub Leffler

Our Dreaming by Kirli Saunders & Dub Leffler (A Scholastic Press book from Scholastic Australia) Book Review by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog The inclusively titled picture book, Our Dreaming, is by the dream team of Gunai Woman Kirli Saunders and descendant from the Bigambul people of South-West Queensland, Dub Leffler. Their previous collaboration is the verse novel, […]

Epiphany: Byron Writers Festival 2022

Byron Writers Festival 2022: Epiphany Byron Writers Festival returned in 2022 to great celebration on the lands of the Arakwal Bumberbin and Minjungbal peoples of the Bundjalung Nation. Artistic director Zoe Pollock and author Emily Brugman (whose novel The Islands has one of the best openings and setting you will be privileged to read) created […]

luwa tara luwa waypa: three kangaroos three Tasmanian men by Dave mangenner Gough, illustrated by Samantha Campbell

luwa tara luwa waypa: three kangaroos three Tasmanian men by Dave mangenner Gough, illustrated by Samantha Campbell Dave mangenner Gough is a proud trawlwoolway man – descended from Bungana (chief) manalargenna’s oldest daughter woretemoeteyenner of north-east Tasmania. Dave has strong personal connection to lutruwita Tasmania and its people. Dave is an artist, curator and cultural […]

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from History by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book review and ideas on how to use Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Heroes, Rebels and Innovators (Lothian Children’s Books) […]

The River by sally Morgan & Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr

The River by Sally Morgan & Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “I love the river near my home. I look with my eyes, I listen with my ears, I learn about the life of the river.” (The River) Picture book review and ideas on how to use The River by Joy […]