Top 10 Books for Indigenous Literacy Day 2021
In celebration of Indigenous Literacy Day, we are highlighting the Top 10 books-to-read for children and young adults that made the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Book of the Year shortlist as well as those who received notable mentions in the last two years.
Written by proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders, and illustrated by Dub Leffler, Bindi follows a young girl’s crazy year, complete with enormous bushfires and broken bones. Aimed at mid-upper primary students the novel tackles big issues like climate change.
Coming Home to Country is both written and illustrated by Bundjalung artist Bronwyn Bancroft. The book is a visual and lyrical portrayal of returning to Country.
Part of the Magabala Books Our Place series, Respect aims to introduce young children to important culture systems within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures. Respect is written by Boonwurrung elder Aunty Fay Muir and co-authored by Sue Lawson, and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy.
Co-authored by educator David Hartley and author Kirsty Murray, and illustrated by Dub Leffler, Strangers on Country explores the experiences of several lost European settlers who were taken in by Indigenous communities.
Shirley Purdie: My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe
Shirley Purdie, proud Gija artist, wrote and illustrated this novel as a screenshot into her life as she grew up on Mabel Downs Station, and into her Gija culture, country and dreaming.
Written by Palyku author Sally Morgan and illustrated by Yolgnu man Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr, this story for early learners follows a little bird’s adventure-filled day and night.
Wilam, meaning home, tells the story of the beautiful Birraring, or Yarra River. The picture book, written by Elder Aunty Joy Murphy and Yarra River-keeper Andrew Kelly, is illustrated by Lisa Kennedy.
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History
Crowned the winner of the CBCA’s 2020 Eve Pownall Award, Young Dark Emu: A Truer History, comes as a youth-friendly rewrite of Bruce Pascoe’s critically acclaimed Dark Emu. Using research and first person accounts, Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu explores Australia pre-colonisation.
Cooee Mittigar: A Story on Darug Songlines
Cooee Mittigar, meaning ‘come here friend’ in Darug, introduces young readers to Darug Country and cultural practices in the Sydney region. Written in both English and Darug, author Jasmine Seymour and illustrator Leanne Mulgo Watson have aimed to encourage and remind readers to remember that the Darug mob are still here and strong.
Another book on Darug Country by Jasmine Seymour, Baby Business introduces readers to the traditional smoking ceremony performed by Darug peoples when a new baby enters the world.