Celebrate First Nations Languages and Culture: 5 Bright, Fun and Bilingual Kids’ Books

These four bright, fun and bilingual children’s books were written to preserve First Nations Languages and also share a snapshot of life in a remote Community. Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), they were facilitated in a workshop in Fitzroy Crossing, where local women worked with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, children’s author Jane Godwin and designer Lee Burgemeestre at the Baya Gawiy Centre. There are three board books for babies and toddlers and a picture book aimed at older children. All books have QR codes so that you can listen and read along to the story.

Mayarda (Pelicans) The Gooniyandi Counting Song by Patricia Cox, illustrated by Delphine Shandley. Ages 0-5.

“We’re making books and songs for the little kids to learn, but the words we put in place have a lot of meaning. They tell about caring for Country and having respect for your environment. Our books and songs are all about strengthening, and that’s empowering for us.” Author Patricia Cox

Mayarda is a playful, beautifully illustrated song book that teaches you how to count and sing in Gooniyandi and English. Children can count the hungry pelicans and fish. Gulp!

Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush Tomatoes) written by and illustrated by Delphine Shandley. Ages 0-5.

“Delphine’s illustrations had this fabulous little red car with her sisters in it off on a road trip to find bush tomatoes. You could really feel them bouncing along.” Designer Lee Burgemeestre

Written in Gooniyandi and English, this book is a snapshot of daily Community life as three cousins head out in a red car, searching for a feed of juicy bush tomatoes.

Kurrartuwarnti (Brolgas) written and illustrated by June Nixon. Ages 0-5.

“The books and the songs we make help our young people to learn their language and their culture by hearing it every day through songs and stories about the land.” Author June Nixon

Written in Walmajarri and English, a family of brolgas make their nests in the long grass during wet season. They look after their eggs, search for food, and dance together.

Jirntipirriny jaa Lamparn Parri (Willy Wagtail and the Little Boy) written and illustrated by June Nixon. Ages 3-8.

Written in Walmajarri and English, this story is about a little boy and his family out looking for bush berries. The boy wanders off on his own, following the calls of a willy wagtail. The story emphasises the importance of family and belonging.

Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck) by Karen Manbulloo. Ages 3+.

This fifth book, written in Kriol and English, is about a pig called Moli. The author Karen Manbulloo lives in the remote Community of Binjari, which is south-west of Katherine. When Karen’s first book was published in 2017, it was the first time her own grandchildren read a book in their own language.

The much awaited follow up to popular children’s book Moli det bigibigi, the new book Moli bin git stak follows the adventures of a now grown-up Moli the pig. Looking for shade on a hot day, Moli takes shelter under a local van, but ends up getting stuck! Will she manage to get free?

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