Sharing Stories this NAIDOC Week
- Allen & Unwin
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Check out these fantastic First Nations stories this NAIDOC Week.
NAIDOC is a week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme is 50 Years of Deadly, highlighting the incredible five decades of this week of recognition, and the future to come.
This NAIDOC week we wanted to spotlight the stories of some of amazing First Nations authors and illustrators we’ve published recently, and their works that we are incredibly honoured to publish. Read on to learn more.
PICTURE BOOKS
Come Home, Bigibila by Corey Tutt and Irma Gold, illustrated by Jessica Tedim (for ages 3-6)
From bestselling children's authors Corey Tutt and Irma Gold comes a heartwarming story about an echidna, Corey's totem animal, and the importance of home. With Gamilaraay words seamlessly woven into the text, Australian parents will love reading Bigibila's story to their children, which explores our connection to family and place.
Brave Like Bunji by Jake Gablonski, illustrated by Samantha Campbell (for ages 4-8)
Brave Like Bunji is a story written from the heart by Wiradjuri man Jake Gablonski, beautifully illustrated by acclaimed Dagoman artist Samantha Campbell and set on the traditional lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman people of the Katherine region of northern Australia. This is a big-hearted story about identity, belonging and wearing your true colours with pride.
MIDDLE GRADE
Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa'Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White (ages 11-14)
An inspiring story of courage, resilience and hope, set in the Torres Strait Islander community as climate change threatens culture, tradition and connection to place, co-written by Michelle Scott Tucker and proud Torres Strait Islander creator, actor, producer and director Aaron Fa'Aoso.
YOUNG ADULT
Moonlight and Dust by Jasmin McGaughey (ages 14+)
An intriguing, fast-paced debut YA fantasy novel, featuring sixteen-year-old Torres Strait Islander Zillah, who is caught up in the world of exclusive high school parties after her sister has a mysterious accident. For fans of kick-arse girls, enigmatic boys, true friendships, dark secrets and illicit magic.
Good Young Men by Gary Lonesborough (ages 14+)
A brilliant contemporary YA coming-of-age novel about three small-town Aboriginal friends finding their way towards adulthood, from the multi-award-winning author of The Boy from the Mish, We Didn't Think It Through and I'm Not Really Here.
FICTION
A Piece of Red Cloth by Leonie Norrington, Djawundil Maymuru, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Djawa Burarrwanga
A powerful, unique novel based on the oral history of the Yolngu people from north-east Arnhem Land that tells the story of a grandmother who stops at nothing to protect her granddaughter.
NON-FICTION
The Australian Wars by Rachel Perkins, Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray and Henry Reynolds (eds)
For the first time, The Australian Wars brings what for too long has been considered the historical past into connection with its reverberations in the present. Black and white writers tell the stories of these battles across three crucial time periods, and all the states and territories.
The First Inventors by Billy Griffiths, Larissa Behrendt and Sean Ulm
This is the story of how Indigenous knowledge shaped the Australian continent. Based on the stunning SBS and Channel 10 TV series, The First Inventors takes readers on a journey through 65,000 years of innovation, diplomacy and design. It challenges everything you thought you knew about the deep history of Australia.
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