For thousands and thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in the land we call Australia.
Somebody’s Land is an accessible picture book for young children that introduces First Nations history and the term ‘terra nullius’ to a general audience, from former AFL star, Australian of the Year and community leader Adam Goodes and political adviser and former journalist Ellie Laing, with artwork by Barkindji illustrator David Hardy.
Somebody’s Land is an invitation to connect with First Nations culture, to acknowledge the hurt of the past and to join together as one community with a precious shared history as old as time.
Goodes and Laing’s powerful words combined with Hardy’s pictures invite children and their families to imagine themselves into Australia’s past – to feel the richness of our First Nations’ history, to acknowledge that our country was never terra nullius, and to understand what ‘welcome to our country’ really means. Planned for a five-book series, Goodes and Laing have designed this series to introduce First Nations history, community and culture to a wide general audience.
Somebody’s Land is a vibrant conversation starter to help readers young and old understand the importance of acknowledging Country as well as the rich cultures of the traditional custodians of the lands where we live. Through simple yet powerful prose, Goodes and Laing shine a light on Australia’s rich yet confronting history, while Hardy’s vibrant illustrations transform this into an accessible and easy-to-understand story for younger readers.
The story presents a sequential timeline of Australia’s history. It begins by showing the Aboriginal people’s land and lifestyle before settlement, followed by the arrival of the First Fleet, who called the land ‘Terra Nullius’ – the Latin word for ‘no man’s land’ – and its impact, through to the present day, showing that this will always be Aboriginal Land. Recommended for readers aged 4+, the presentation of this timeline in a visual, sequential order combined with the repetition ‘somebody’s land’ and ‘Aboriginal Land’ makes the story’s impactful and powerful message digestible for a young audience. As the book’s title suggests, Australia was never no man’s land but always somebody’s land.
Somebody’s Land is an incredibly important children’s book that delivers the history and experiences of colonisation to young readers. Goodes, Laing and Hardy even make an appearance (in illustrated form) at the beginning and end of the book to acknowledge country and pay respect to First Nations people. Combining stunning illustrations with a powerful yet hopeful message from Goodes and Laing, Somebody’s Land is an essential read for all Australian children.
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