Riding The Black Cockatoo

This is the compelling story of how the skull of an Aboriginal man, found on the banks of the Murray River over 40 years ago, came to be returned to his Wamba Wamba descendants. It is a story of awakening, atonement, forgiveness and friendship. 'It is as if a whole window into Indigenous culture has blown open, not just the window, but every door in the house,' says John Danalis. Part history, part detective story, part cultural discovery and emotional journey, this is a book for young and old, showing the transformative and healing power of true reconciliation.

John Danalis is a writer, illustrator and designer. He is the author and illustrator of three children's titles, Dog 37 being the most recent. Bath Monster and Uncle Lou's Tattoos are his earlier works. He has illustrated numerous other titles including Licking Lizards, Girl in the Cave and Loku and the Shark Attack. He has also illustrated textbooks. John began his art practice as a graphic designer and now runs a studio called Peripheral Vision with his partner, acclaimed illustrator Stella Danalis (http://peripheralvision.com.au). In the last 15 years the studio has won over 100 design and illustration awards. Today, John and Stella specialise in book cover design and their own creative projects.