In Australia we recognize the 26th January as Australia Day. This was of course the date on which British arrived to colonise the land on behalf of England. However, the British ignored the fact that Australia's Indigenous people, that we know as the 'Aborigines' were the traditional owners of this great land. We now know that they are in fact the oldest continuous civilization in the world, having been here for at least 60,000 years and perhaps more. Indigenous Australians see the 26th January as in fact Invasion Day. The day that the British First Fleet seized Australia as part of their empire.
To show my respect to the traditional owners of our vast and beautiful land, I thought I'd offer a collection of posts of Aboriginal dreamtime stories and literature. While our Aboriginal Australians had passed down their stories through spoken words, paintings and songs, my posts (originally over a period of 10+ years) offer a collection of wonderful works from Aboriginal storytellers and artists recorded for us in children's books. Some are collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors and illustrators, but most are authored and illustrated by Indigenous teams. I hope that they inspire you to explore the history, story and art of this ancient people on whose land Australians live. Some of the earliest books below are retellings of the Aboriginal story, but many are based on their dreamtime stories passed down across man y generations.
1. 'Young Dark Emu: A Truer History' by Bruce Pascoe
Bruce Pascoe has collected a swathe of literary awards for 'Dark Emu' and now he has brought together the research and compelling first person accounts in a book for younger readers. Using the accounts of early European explorers, colonists and farmers, Bruce Pascoe compellingly argues for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer label for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. He allows the reader to see Australia as it was before Europeans arrived – a land of cultivated farming areas, productive fisheries, permanent homes, and an understanding of the environment and its natural resources that supported thriving villages across the continent. Young Dark Emu - A Truer History asks young readers to consider a different version of Australia's history pre-European colonisation.
This book has won many awards. One of the judges from one of the many awards described Bruce Pascoe's work this way: "Visual and textual information is produced on a traditional palette of ochre yellow, red and oranges and charcoal black. Full-page illustrations magnify and enhance detail in the historical photographs, documents, engravings, diary entries and sketches."
In this book, Bruce seeks to debunk... "terra nullius that positions Aboriginal people as nomadic hunter gatherers through an engaging discussion accessible to primary school and young adult readers." Instead we continue to learn how sophisticated Indigenous culture was (and is) across a period of at least 60,000 years.
2. 'Maralinga', was written and illustrated by the Yalata and Oak communities of South Australia with Christobel Mattingley. This is one of our darkest stories. It is the story of the British atomic testing of the 1950s in Central Australia. It is told by Indigenous Australians who are the traditional owners of Maralinga (a region used for atomic testing in the 1950s?). In words and pictures community members, describe what happened in the Maralinga Tjarutja lands of South Australia before the bombs and after. This is an important and tragic account of human folly and its consequence for a people who were there first, but whose needs counted for little. We have no idea how many Indigenous Australians were killed in these tests.
The traditional owners of the land were never asked is these tests could be held on their land, nor were they warned of the dangers. Mind you, the Australian government wasn't told very much about the tests. The Australian government of the time simply allowed the British to do it. As a colony and part of the British Empire, there was little choice.
3. 'Dry to Dry - The Seasons of Kakadu' by Pamela Freeman and illustrated by Liz Anelli
Indigenous Australians have a deep connection to their land. This wonderfully illustrated factual picture book introduced young readers to one of Australia's most beautiful and ancient places. It is a follow-up to the award winning 'Desert Lake'. It tells of the yearly weather cycle across this ancient and beautiful land.
In the tropical wetlands and escarpments of Kakadu National Park, seasons move predictably from dry to wet and back to dry again. Most of Australia has four seasons like other nations, but Kakadu has two! And these two seasons are marked by extraordinary change and diversity in plants, animals, birds, insects and the incredible migratory birds that come during the 'Wet' season. But there's more! There is a movement of insects, lizards, and water dwelling creatures (like fish, turtles and crocodiles), not to mention fruit bats and the changes in flowers and grasses. What I like this book and the 'Desert Lake' is that they offer two texts on each two-page spread. One to be read by or to the children, and a second short smaller font text at the bottom of each page, with more technical language for the teacher and older readers. There is also an excellent more detailed description of Kakadu at the end of the book with some Indigenous words translated. Finally, there's a wonderful map of Kakadu that children will love, as well as a detailed index.
4. 'My Place' (Nadia Wheatley & Donna Rawlins) -First published in 1987 for distribution in Australia’s bicentennial year (1988) and makes a strong statement about the fact that Indigenous Australians were here for thousands of years before white settlement (there isn't space to unpack this). It is a very clever book that takes one suburban block (and the surrounding area) and tells the story of this place in reverse chronological sequence, decade by decade, from 1988 back to 1788 when the first British Fleet landed at Botany Bay. The overall meaning of the book is shaped by multiple narrative recounts of the families who have lived in this spot, 'my Place' and the changing nature of the physical landscape and built environment. See me previous post on visiting the 'real' My Place (here).
5. 'In the Bush I see' by Kiara Honeychurch
This is one of a number of reviews from Magabala Books, the Indigenous publishers located in the remote North Western Australian town of Broome. You can find more information on this publisher at the end of the post.
This is one of a number of reviews from Magabala Books, the Indigenous publishers located in the remote North Western Australian town of Broome. You can find more information on this publisher at the end of the post.
'In the Bush I see' is one of many books for children being written by Indigenous authors and artists with the support of Magabala. It is a delightful little board book for toddlers aged 1-4 years. A wonderful first book that children will flip through again and again. They will also learn the simple text descriptions of each wonderful creature. Like "a screeching cockatoo", "a waddling echidna" and a "watchful bandicoot". Kiara is inspired by the bush creatures she encounters in her rural home near Hobart. With a bold and sophisticated colour palette, Kiara unleashes the beauty and character of each creature. Well done Kiara, I hope there will be more books.
6. 'Little Bird's Day' by Sally Morgan & illustrated by Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr
This is a gorgeous book! From the deep earth colours of the cover, the inside covers with stunning images of the night sky, to the wonderful more traditional images of the creatures that punctuate Little Bird's day, it is beautiful. And, as you'd expect Sally Morgan's beautifully crafted text makes for a memorable picture book. Is there any wonder it was the winner of the Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award?
As with many Magabala books some excellent Teacher's notes can be found on the Magabala Books website.
7. 'Wilam: A Birrarung Story' by Aunty Joy Murphy & Andrew Kelly, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy
This is another stunning Indigenous picture book, this time from Black Dog books. Talented Indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy, respected Elder Aunty Joy Murphy and Yarra River keeper Andrew Kelly combine to create a special book. It tells the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra river, from its source to its mouth, and from its pre-history to the present day.
Lisa Kennedy is a descendant of the Trawlwoolway People on the north-east coast of Tasmania. She was born in Melbourne and as a child lived close to the Maribyrnong River. Here she experienced the gradual restoration of the natural river environment alongside cultural regeneration and reclamation. The experience of loss and reclamation is embedded in her work. The illustrations are richly coloured with a bright palette of green, red, blue, yellow and brown. Many of the plates would be stunning works of art on their own. But in combination with the text from Aunty Joy and Andrew Kelly, we have a special book to share with children aged 3-8 years of age.
Lisa Kennedy is a descendant of the Trawlwoolway People on the north-east coast of Tasmania. She was born in Melbourne and as a child lived close to the Maribyrnong River. Here she experienced the gradual restoration of the natural river environment alongside cultural regeneration and reclamation. The experience of loss and reclamation is embedded in her work. The illustrations are richly coloured with a bright palette of green, red, blue, yellow and brown. Many of the plates would be stunning works of art on their own. But in combination with the text from Aunty Joy and Andrew Kelly, we have a special book to share with children aged 3-8 years of age.
8. 'Clever Crow' by Nina Lawrence and illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
This brand new picture book from Indigenous publisher Magabala Books is wonderful debut book by author Nina Lawrence (a descendant of the Yidinji people of Far North Queensland), and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft (a clan member of the Bundjalun Nation). Like other Indigenous authors and illustrators they are sharing their people's stories but also seeking to preserve their languages. And hence, this gorgeous picture book is bilingual, with both English and Djambarrpuynu language used.
It is the story of a hungry crow. A very hungry crow! He was desperate for food but couldn't find any. Then he saw some people at a special ceremony cooking a turtle egg. He looked at the egg and thought "Yummy, food for me!" And he steals it. A resting kookaburra laughs as he watches. The crow doesn't like this and calls out.... the egg is lost. Where does it end up next and where will it ultimately end up?
Bronwyn Bancroft is a highly awarded illustrator with many awards, including being a finalist in the Hans Christian Andersen Award (2016) and the honour of the award of the Dromkeen Medal (2010). This is Nina Lawrence's first children's book. And what an impressive start to her career as an author and champion for her land, people and language.
This brand new picture book from Indigenous publisher Magabala Books is wonderful debut book by author Nina Lawrence (a descendant of the Yidinji people of Far North Queensland), and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft (a clan member of the Bundjalun Nation). Like other Indigenous authors and illustrators they are sharing their people's stories but also seeking to preserve their languages. And hence, this gorgeous picture book is bilingual, with both English and Djambarrpuynu language used.
It is the story of a hungry crow. A very hungry crow! He was desperate for food but couldn't find any. Then he saw some people at a special ceremony cooking a turtle egg. He looked at the egg and thought "Yummy, food for me!" And he steals it. A resting kookaburra laughs as he watches. The crow doesn't like this and calls out.... the egg is lost. Where does it end up next and where will it ultimately end up?
Bronwyn Bancroft is a highly awarded illustrator with many awards, including being a finalist in the Hans Christian Andersen Award (2016) and the honour of the award of the Dromkeen Medal (2010). This is Nina Lawrence's first children's book. And what an impressive start to her career as an author and champion for her land, people and language.
9. 'Welcome to Country' by Aunty Joy Murphy and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy
'Welcome to country' is now a well-accepted way to acknowledge that Aboriginal Australians were not only the first people of Australia, they have been the traditional owners of the land for over 40,000 years. This picture book offers an expansive and generous 'Welcome to Country' from a highly respected Elder, Aunty Joy Murphy. The wonderful words are complemented by the remarkable art of Indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy. The combination of the authentic and wonderful words of Aunty Joy, in combination with Lisa's incredible images, make you want to visit the remarkable places she pictures. It is a special book and will serve as an excellent introduction to the topic of Indigenous ownership of the land that Australians all call home.
Welcome to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People. We are part of this land and the land is part of us. This is where we come from. Wominjeka Wurundjeri balluk yearmenn koondee bik. Welcome to Country.
10. 'Tjarany Roughtail' by Gracie Greene and Joe Tramacchi and illustrated by Lucille Gill
This wonderful book offers mysteries of the Dreamtime centred on the cultural history of the Kukatja people of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Told in English and Kukatja, the book includes magnificent paintings, maps, kinship diagrams, exercises and language notes. Children aged 7-12 will love this book and gain a greater appreciation of the richness of Aboriginal culture and story.
The book was the winner of the Australian Children's Book Council (CBCA) Eve Pownall Award for Information Books (1993), and was also shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards.
11. 'Two Mates' by Melanie Prewett and illustrated by Maggie Prewett
The true story of the special mateship between two boys who have grown up together in Broome; Jack is Indigenous and Raf is non-Indigenous. The boys share their daily life as they search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni, fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheros. At the end of the book it is revealed that Raf is in a wheelchair due to spina bifida. The book offers some additional information on this condition at the end of the book. This is a lovely story that shows that true friendship sees no barriers in race or disability. This would be a wonderful book to share with children aged 5-8 years. There are also some teaching notes on the Magabala site HERE.
12. 'Joshua and the Two Crabs' by Joshua Button
Joshua Button is a young Indigenous author with a keen interest in the saltwater country he has grown up in. His observations of his family’s fishing trip to Crab Creek give us a unique opportunity to see this adventure through his eyes. Joshua’s illustrations evoke the beauty of Crab Creek—a tidal creek that lies in the mangroves of Roebuck Bay near Broome in Australia’s north west.
I had the pleasure of spending some time at Roebuck Bay just last week. This is an exquisite place where I spent hours looking at the sheer beauty and the rich marine life. Some of the stars of the wildlife are definitely the crabs. Watching them scurry (at great speed), eating, digging and leaving their intriguing marks on the red sand was a great joy. My photos below show a little of this beauty.
13. 'Our World Bardi Jaawi, Life at Ardiyooloon' written and illustrated by the students of One Arm Point Remote Community School
Ardiyooloon is home to the Bardi Jaawi people and sits at the end of a red dirt road at the top of the Dampier Peninsula, 200km north of Broome in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This vibrant book is bursting with life and activity and takes readers inside the lives of the children of a remote Indigenous community.This wonderful book is inspired by the stories of the elders and the beautiful beauty of the land and culture of Ardiyooloon. The many chapters in the richly illustrated book consider the history, language, food and cultural practices of the Bardi Jaawi people. The children's illustrations enrich the many factual texts that consider fishing, bush food, special events, language and the wildlife of this wonderful place. For example, on one double page the children describe and draw 23 different saltwater creatures that are found in their world. The authenticity of the waters and the richness and colour of the illustrations, make you want to dip again and again into this beautiful book.
The book was the winner of the Speech Pathology Australia's Indigenous Book of the Year 2011 and was also shortlisted in the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) awards in the same year.
Comprehensive teacher notes for the book can be downloaded here
14. 'Do Not Go Around the Edges' by Daisy Utemorrah and illustrated by Pat Torres
This remarkable book weaves together the story of Daisy Utemorrah’s life with a collection of playful parables and poems. It explores themes such as Creation, tradition, memories, family and most importantly, country. 'Do Not Go Around the Edges' imbues a simple autobiographical story with humour and depth, and will appeal to adults and children alike. Retold with love and honour, be transported to a place where time stands still...Daisy Utemorrah was an elder of the Wunambal people from the Mitchell Plateau area in the far north Kimberley. She was born in 1922 at Kunmunya Mission and her family background gave her fluency in three Aboriginal languages. Daisy was recognised for her work as a poet and a teacher. This was her first book and of course was published by Magabala in 1991. It won the Australian Multicultural Children’'s Book Award the following year, and was also shortlisted for the Children’'s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) award for Younger Readers. As well, Pat Torres won the prestigious international IBBY award for illustration for her work on this book in 1994.
It is a remarkable book for various reasons. It integrates Daisy's unique autobiographical story with a variety of traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime themes, focussing on memories, family, creation and country, the important relationship between a people and their land. It is beautifully told with simplicity and economy of words, and it weaves Daisy's traditional languages with her stories and the wonderful illustrations of Broome-based Djugan artist Pat Torres. Here is a sample:
I am the native cat, I dance everywhere.
I hop, skip and jump.
I jump on the flat stone
and dance and wobble my bum and hold my hips
And then I dance again.
15. 'The Mark of the Wagarl' by Lorna Little and illustrated by Janice Lyndon
Maadjit Walken is the Sacred Rainbow Serpent. She is the mother spirit and creator of Nyoongar Country in the south west of Western Australia. She formed the landscape and the waterways, and made her first child Maadjit Wagarl, the Sacred Water Snake, the guardian spirit of all the rivers and fresh waters. The Mark of the Wagarl is the story of how a little boy dared to question the wisdom of his elders and why he received the Sacred Water Snake for his totem. Janice Lyndon’s pastel illustrations resonate with the cultural power of the Maadjit Wagarl and the landscape of the south west. This is a revised edition.
This is a traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime story featuring a well-known character - the Rainbow Serpent - who appears in other books for children, most notably 'The Rainbow Serpent' by Dick Roughsey. The slightly more contemporary illustrations are designed to appeal to a new generation who should love this book.
Comprehensive teacher notes for the book can be downloaded here from the Magabala website.
This is a traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime story featuring a well-known character - the Rainbow Serpent - who appears in other books for children, most notably 'The Rainbow Serpent' by Dick Roughsey. The slightly more contemporary illustrations are designed to appeal to a new generation who should love this book.
Comprehensive teacher notes for the book can be downloaded here from the Magabala website.
16. 'The Burnt Stick' (1995) by Anthony Hill & Mark Sofilas (illustrator)
This novel for younger readers (8-10 years) is set in Australia prior to the 1960s. It is the story of a young Australian aboriginal boy named John Jagamarra, who had been taken (like thousands of other Indigenous children) from his family. John was taken from his mother by the Welfare Department of the day, and sent to live with his white Father at the Pearl Bay Mission for Aboriginal Children. He grew up in this beautiful place, but he knew it was not like being home with his mother and his people. He remembers how the 'Big Man from Welfare' had come and taken him away. His story illustrates how well intentioned government policy at the time failed to deal with the problems of Indigenous communities and failed to understand the full needs of people 'other' than themselves. While the story positions us as reader to see the tragedy of the 'Stolen Generation' through John's eyes, at the same time it offers child and adult readers the chance to consider the issues of racial difference and how we understand, live with and when necessary, reach out to people other than ourselves.
Mark Sofilas' wonderful charcoal images add a haunting and powerful additional dimension to the story. The Children's Book Council of Australia named it Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1995.
This novel for younger readers (8-10 years) is set in Australia prior to the 1960s. It is the story of a young Australian aboriginal boy named John Jagamarra, who had been taken (like thousands of other Indigenous children) from his family. John was taken from his mother by the Welfare Department of the day, and sent to live with his white Father at the Pearl Bay Mission for Aboriginal Children. He grew up in this beautiful place, but he knew it was not like being home with his mother and his people. He remembers how the 'Big Man from Welfare' had come and taken him away. His story illustrates how well intentioned government policy at the time failed to deal with the problems of Indigenous communities and failed to understand the full needs of people 'other' than themselves. While the story positions us as reader to see the tragedy of the 'Stolen Generation' through John's eyes, at the same time it offers child and adult readers the chance to consider the issues of racial difference and how we understand, live with and when necessary, reach out to people other than ourselves. Mark Sofilas' wonderful charcoal images add a haunting and powerful additional dimension to the story. The Children's Book Council of Australia named it Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1995.
17. 'Ngay janijirr ngank. This is my word', by Magdalene Williams, illustrated by Pat Torres and with photos by Maria Mann.
A beautifully illustrated account of the life of Magdalene Williams of the Nyulnyul people. Raised in the confines of Beagle Bay mission in the Kimberley, she was nevertheless exposed to her traditional culture through her Elders. Magdalene's account of the coming of the missionaries, and the destruction of law and culture is interwoven with the richness and diversity of her Nyulnyul stories.
I love this book for the beauty of the language and the power of the stories that Magdalene Williams tells. The work is also well illustrated by Pat Torres and has wonderful photos from Maria Mann. The opening line gives a sense of what is to come as she tells the story of the Nyulnyul people of Beagle Bay:
"A long time ago in Ngarlan, the place where Beagle Bay now stands, a very strange and frightening thing happened."
The book also contains several wordlists. Helpfully, these include Nyulnyul to English and English to Nyulnyul, selected phrases, traditional names of the family members mentioned, and also a pronunciation guide. This is a book that works at many levels, it has an engaging story, it raises cultural awareness, offers language study and more. Children aged 7-12 will enjoy this excellent book.
A beautifully illustrated account of the life of Magdalene Williams of the Nyulnyul people. Raised in the confines of Beagle Bay mission in the Kimberley, she was nevertheless exposed to her traditional culture through her Elders. Magdalene's account of the coming of the missionaries, and the destruction of law and culture is interwoven with the richness and diversity of her Nyulnyul stories.I love this book for the beauty of the language and the power of the stories that Magdalene Williams tells. The work is also well illustrated by Pat Torres and has wonderful photos from Maria Mann. The opening line gives a sense of what is to come as she tells the story of the Nyulnyul people of Beagle Bay:
"A long time ago in Ngarlan, the place where Beagle Bay now stands, a very strange and frightening thing happened."
The book also contains several wordlists. Helpfully, these include Nyulnyul to English and English to Nyulnyul, selected phrases, traditional names of the family members mentioned, and also a pronunciation guide. This is a book that works at many levels, it has an engaging story, it raises cultural awareness, offers language study and more. Children aged 7-12 will enjoy this excellent book.
Further reading
Other previous posts on Indigenous literature HERE.
Other reviews on children's literature HERE.
An Introduction for non-Australians
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| Emily Gap N.T. |
An encounter with the 'The Three Caterpillars'
Mparntwe or Alice Springs is home to the Arrernte people, Aboriginal Australians who have called this beautiful place home for at least 45,000 years. It is at the geographical centre of Australia. The photo opposite is of a place called 'Emily Gap' that I visited in July while exploring Central Australia. At this place you will find Aboriginal rock art that tells the story of how three caterpillars named Yeperenye, Ntyarlke and Utnerrengatye created the MacDonnell Ranges.
The Arrernte people, believe the ranges were formed by giant caterpillars that entered this world through one of the gaps in the escarpment of the area. In traditional stories the caterpillar ancestors, Yeperenye, Utnerrengatye and Ntyarlke are the major creation forces of the Alice Springs area. These stories tell how they arrived from all directions, first stopping at Mparntwe, a particularly sacred site in Alice Springs, where they battled with the Irlperenye (green stink bug).
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| 'Three Caterpillars' - Emily Gap |
'The Three Caterpillars' were painted on the cliff face at some point in time. The dark red and light orange stripes were created by red ochre and white lime blended with animals fats and applied to the rock surface.
Aboriginal Dreamtime stories are associated with specific Aboriginal clans and nations and their lands (countries). These stories are passed on to younger generations by elders and storytellers. They have survived for thousands of years, but the loss of traditional languages and the separation of many Aboriginal people from their traditional land is a threat to their survival. While some of these stories are secret, or are seen as of such a sacred nature that they are only told by specific people to certain people (e.g. told by men to men, or by women to women), in the last 40 years many Aboriginal Dreamtime stories have been shared through children's books.
As a non-Aboriginal Australian (I should add that I might well have at least one Aboriginal ancestor), I love these stories and would like to see more of them written down by the people who own them for others to enjoy. Thankfully, many are being recorded but just as many aren't. For example, to date I haven't come across a written version of 'The Three Caterpillars' that I learned of when exploring Alice Springs.
Some traditional Dreamtime stories (these are older books but are well loved and were ground breaking in the 1970s and 1980s)
Another of my favourite works by Roughsey is 'The Rainbow Serpent' first published in 1975 and still available. It won the Children's Book Council of Australia award for best picture book in 1976. Goorialla (the Rainbow Serpent) travelled across Australia to find his tribe. As he travelled his tracks formed the mountains, the creeks, lagoons and rivers. The Bil-bil brothers plot to kill him. When Goorialla's anger is spent and he disappears into the sea the world is changed.
Dick Roughsey and Percy Trezise (1923-2005) formed a strong partnership to produce many wonderful books together. While Trezise was not Aboriginal he became Roughsey's brother in a traditional Aboriginal ceremony and was given the name 'Warrenby'. Roughsey lived with his wife and their six children on Mornington Island, but often spent half the year on the North Queensland mainland. He and Percy Trezise discovered and studied the art of Aboriginal cave galleries in the Laura region of Cape York. The Quinkin gallery inspired the award-winning books 'The Quinkins' and 'Turramulli' the 'Giant Quinkin'.
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| Tiddalik Rock (Wollombi NSW) |
Yet another wonderful collaborative book is 'Playground' (2011) compiled by Nadia Wheatley with illustrations and design by Ken Searle, has been short-listed for the 2011 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards. This is an unusual book isn't quite a graphic novel, but then again, it isn't simply a reference book. Drawing on the stories of 80 Aboriginal Australian Elders, 20 Aboriginal secondary students and with Aboriginal Historian Dr Jackie Huggins as adviser and critical friend, Nadia Wheatley has created a unique collaborative work. The book offers a wonderful insight into experiences of childhood for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 1900 to the present.
Magabala Books
Magabala Books is Australia's leading Indigenous publisher. Based in the pearling town of Broome in the far north of Western Australia, it is one of the most remote publishing houses in the world. Since its incorporation in 1990, Magabala has been recognised as a producer of quality Indigenous Australian literature. Its books can be found on its own website or through other online stores and search engines. This will be very helpful for teachers.Magabala is a not-for-profit organisation that preserves, develops and promotes Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and cultures. It has released more than one hundred and fifty titles from a range of genres, many of which are still in print.
While I've enjoyed Magabala's books for some time, recently I had the chance to visit the publisher and consider all of their titles in 2018. As well, I was able to buy some for myself and as gifts for children in my family.
