5 Vibrant and Bilingual First Nations Books to Read this NAIDOC Week

These five vibrant and bilingual books for children and young adults were written and illustrated by remote First Nations Communities and published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). The collection includes one young adult book, two board books, and two children’s picture books. Each children’s book features a QR code on the back so you can listen to the story while reading along!

Sweet Home: Stories of Country and Family by Students of Dawurr Boarding, Nhulunbuy High School

In Sweet Home, 28 students from Ḏawurr Boarding House in Nhulunbuy have written heart-felt stories about what home means to them. Each story shows the places and people and things that are important to the Ḏawurr students. Although they come from 13 unique Communities across the Northern Territory, they share a love for spending time with their families and out on Country – home sweet home.

Learn more about Sweet Home: Stories of Country and Family here.

Where’s My Minya Marlu? by Mia Speed

Marlu (kangaroo) is looking for her minya marlu (little kangaroo/joey). Will any of the other animals be able to help her? Mia Speed was just 16 when she first created this story as a resource for the younger children in her Community, to teach them. Wirangu language words. The board book includes a glossary and audio so that every reader has an opportunity to learn!

Learn more about Where’s My Minya Marlu? here.

The Moon Story by Marshia Cook

This gentle bilingual picture book is perfect for bedtime, telling the story of an Aboriginal family from Fitzroy Crossing going out bush to camp under the moon and stars. There is a growing sense of peace as the glowing full moon shines down on the river, the hills, the trees, and of course, at last, the sleeping children! Told in Kriol and English, with audio to listen along to this bedtime story.

Learn more about The Moon Story here.

bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr (The Boys Who Found Their Way) by Tyran Uddin and Kayden Wellington

Long, long ago, two Yuin boys meet with animals of the land, sky and sea, who teach them about living respectfully on Country, in this exquisitely illustrated bilingual picture book. Tyran and Kayden were just 12 and 13 years old when they wrote this story, during an ILF workshop, alongside author Kirli Saunders. A glossary of Dhurga language words is included as well as audio so readers can listen along.

Learn more about bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr (The Boys Who Found Their Way) here.

Ngirringirri Kirijinga Japalinga (Shining Little Star) by Pirlingimpi Families and Bubs

A Tiwi Islands version of the old favourite song ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, this bilingual board book is enchantingly illustrated in bright chalks on black paper. A QR code on the book allows readers to listen to the song in Tiwi, sung by Elder Simpi Tipungwuti, as well as reading the English version on the page.

Learn more about Ngirringirri Kirijinga Japalinga (Shining Little Star) here.

To explore more ILF books published in remote First Nations Communities, click here.