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) Isaiah Firebrace is a Yorta Yorta and Gundit Jamara man whose formative years were spent on the banks of the Murray River. He grew up singing in church and sprang to fame when he won […]

What’s the Big Idea? by Sue Lawson & Karen Tayleur

What’s the Big Idea?: Australian Inventions that Changed the World by Sue Lawson & Karen Tayleur (Wild Dogs Books) The inventions in this book are impressive and, in fact, mind-boggling. They begin with First Nations inventions such as yidakas (didgeridoos), fish and eel traps and fire stick farming, and continue through the eras to the […]

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 […]

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) […]

Our Stories ed. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah

Our Stories ed. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah The new Our Stories series of junior chapter books has a clear purpose and is engaging, character-driven and well-written. Ideal for children, the books feature large print, plenty of illustrations and even humour. When Granny Came to Stay by Alice Pung, illustrated by Sally Soweol Han, celebrates Pangzi’s Chinese […]

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 […]

Sharing by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson

Author Interview “Take only what you need, no more, no less.” (Sharing) Sharing (Magabala Books) is the third book in the profound and contemplative Our Place series for young children. It is written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Aunty Fay and […]

Our Place: Respect & Family

Picture Books from Magabala Books The ‘Our Place’ picture book series is a set of beautifully written and illustrated books that share and explain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to young children. Two of the four books have now been published. Respect by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy “Our […]

Bindi by Kirli Saunders & Dub Leffler

Inside the CBCAShortlist “My cousins, Elsie, Omeo and I sit in these gatheringsby our parents’ sides,the garrall on my shoulder. Often, the Elders come to say wedayo to the budjan.” (Bindi) Bindi (Magabala Books) is an enlightening verse novel by Gunai Woman and award-winning poet and writer Kirli Saunders. It is a lovely blend of […]

Guwayu – For All Times: A Collection of First Nations Poems

Guwayu – For All Times: A Collection of First Nations Poems Commissioned by Red Room Poetry Edited by Jeanine Leane Published by Magabala Books Guwayu features poems by well-known and acclaimed poets such as Ellen van Neerven, Samuel Wagan Watson, Evelyn Araluen, Ali Cobby Eckermann and Bruce Pascoe as well as exciting new voices. Interview […]