10 Books Every Child Should Read this NAIDOC Week

These 10 vibrant books for toddlers, children and young adults are written and illustrated by remote First Nations Communities and published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). Each book celebrates culture, language and stories from remote Communities and several books feature a QR code on the back so that you can listen to the story in language!

This collection includes 2 board books, 7 children’s picture books and 1 young adult book.

Ngiyan Baal Maya-k Nyininy? Who is Living in the House?

Who is in the house?

Flip through this delightful book and watch a family come together in their living room. In both Noongar and English, this bilingual book is the perfect early learning resource for any household.

Appropriate for ages 0-4.

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Kala

Learn all of the colours of the rainbow, and where they appear in nature around you, in both Noongar and English!

Kala is a beautifully illustrated book that was written by local Bunbury Elders as a language resource for the younger generations.

Appropriate for ages 0-4.

Amanbidji Garu

So many special places to go.

So many fun things to do.

This is where we play.

This is our home.

Amanbidji, Ngarinyman Country.

Hop in the troopy and come on a tour of Amanbidji with the local garu! Over 32 beautifully illustrated pages, the Amanbidji garu show all of their favourite places and things to do in their Community.

This is a bilingual book written in Ngarinyman, Kriol and English.

Appropriate for ages 4+

Ngali Nga Balun, Ngali Nga Jugun: Our River, Our Country

The story focuses on the history of the area in Northern New South Wales where Baryulgil is and the connection the Community has to the Clarence River, weaving together facts and traditional Bundjalung lore in a way that invites the reader into the Community.

The title Ngali Nga Balun, Ngali Nga Jugun is Wehlabul, a dialect of Bundjalung and means Our River, Our Country, as the Clarence River is integral to Bundjalung dreaming and this Community.

Appropriate for ages 4+

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Näṉḏi ga Gatapaŋa: Mum and the Buffalo

When Mum, Ruthie and Roger the dog go to collect pandanus at Bawaka, they are not expecting to meet a big, black … buffalo! How can they chase the buffalo away and get home safely? A fun story about daily life in a remote Yolŋu Community.

The story is bilingual, written in Dhuwaya and English.

Appropriate for ages 4+

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Gulun’: Billabong

Who lives in the billabong?

Join the children of Yirrkala School to find the birds and animals that live in the guḻun’ (billabong).

A counting book in Dhuwaya and English. Children at Yirrkala School created this book in a workshop with Alison Lester, Jane Godwin and Lee Burgemeestre.

Appropriate for ages 0-4

On the Way to Yalaŋbara

The Traditional Owners of Yalaŋbara call out to the spirit of the Old People, and Country cares for you. That place is healing and it calms your soul. Anyone, whether it’s Yolŋu or Balanda, can feel the spirit of that place. At Yalaŋbara you are somebody.

Yalaŋbara is a special place: white sand, turquoise water, plenty to eat. But what happens when the car gets bogged on the way there? Is it time to be hot and cross, or to remember … and dream?

This is a bilingual story in Yolngu Matha – Dhanu and English.

Appropriate for ages 7+

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Geigi the Stubborn Boy

Listen now, stubborn boy,

Careful – you might fall.

Look now, stubborn boy,

Someone’s watching across the shore.

This is the tale of Geigi, a stubborn boy on an island far away who gets into all sorts of mischief. Created by Elliot and Michael Passi, Geigi the Stubborn Boy is a retelling of a Meriam story from Mer in the Torres Strait – brought to life by striking and charming illustrations.

Appropriate for ages 7+

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Grinj det K’Taun Krok! : Grinch The K-Town Croc!

Lurking in the waters of the Katherine River, he’ll scare you any chance he gets, you’ll hear him before you see him, his laughter and bubbles trailing after him. It’s Grinch the K’Town Croc!

The kids from K’Town have finally had enough of the Grinch scaring them, it’s time for revenge!

This is a bilingual story in English and Kriol.

Appropriate for ages 4+

This book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Tiwi Girl & Other Stories

A collection of inspiring real-life pieces by teenage girls from the Tiwi Islands.

Tiwi Girl is the story of Mia, an ordinary girl living at Purnalli outstation with her family. When she tries to fit in with the wrong kids at school, she ends up suspended. Mia’s nanna tries to help her see what’s best for her future … but will Mia take notice?

This edition also includes true to the heart real life stories from Tiwi teenagers, who share their hopes, dreams, heroes and goals for the future.

Includes a glossary for readers to learn Tiwi words as they read along.

Appropriate for ages 13+

To explore more ILF books published in remote First Nations Communities, please visit https://shop.ilf.org.au/