This year, NAIDOC week is running from 3 – 10 July and focuses the theme of Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!. This year’s theme centres on the ongoing need for sincere and tangible action. By amplifying and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, we ‘can narrow the gap between aspiration and reality, good intent and outcome.’ We recommend reading the full explanation behind the 2022 focus (and exploring how you can become more involved this NAIDOC week) here.

This week – and every week – we want to make space for and show respect to the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In particular, we want to help showcase the amazing work of First Nations creators (past and present) who generously share their stories.

During NAIDOC week, we’ll be highlighting some fantastic published works from First Nations authors. Today we’re focusing on books for children that include some of the rich languages of First Nations peoples.

Yolηu Matha

123 Turtles and Geckos by Nyapanyapa Yunupinu & Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs

With a simple narrative and colourful illustrations celebrating the artist’s distinctive works, this bilingual board book makes counting fun. This book will engage and delight babies and toddlers, as well as parents and carers.

Children will learn to count from one to five, spotting animals of Arnhem Land and learning Yolηu Matha, the language of the Yolηu people, along the way.

Suitable for ages 0-3.

Mangala

Karrkin: My Body by Maureen Yanawana

Karrkin features line drawings and gorgeous photographs, each with arrows pointing to the part of the body being referred to in the text. Young readers will delight in saying the name in Mangala and in English while pointing to the relevant part of the body in the book and on their own body.

This is a bright, beautiful and fun board book that is perfect for the youngest readers to learn the names of various parts of their body in two languages.

Suitable for ages 0-3.

Gugunyal

G is for Gugunyal by Leanne Brook

Dhurga is one of four traditional languages of the south coast of New South Wales. It was spoken by Yuin (Yuwinj) people between Nowra and Narooma, and as far inland as Braidwood and Araluen.

The beautiful illustrations help readers to learn the 24 Dhurga sounds. They also introduce important land and marine animals, and other creatures of the south coast that are part of local creation and dreaming stories, and Lore.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.

Dharug

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

Told in English and Dharug, this is a moving account of reconnection to Country from a First Nations perspective. Sharing the nourishing power of returning home and being immersed, this picture book invites readers to reflect on the importance of place, not only for First Nations’ peoples but for everyone.

With exquisite illustrations and soft, lilting text, Open Your Heart to Country appeals to the very young, while sharing a deeper message for older readers.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.

Walmajarri

Jarrampa by Marshia Cook, Tamua Nuggett & Cazarus Baker

Jarrampa are yabbies - they are very tasty to eat but a challenge to catch because of those claws. One old woman had a clever way of catching them. Later the whole family would gather around the campfire to share in a delicious meal of yabbies.

This bilingual book - in Walmajarri and English - was produced in a workshop with ILF ambassador Alison Lester.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.

Walmajarri

Purlka Ngamaji Kakaji: Big Fat Mummy Goanna by Emma Bearwu

Out on a hunting trip a family spies a big goanna. The youngest son wanted to kill it, but his mother said no because it was a Mummy Goanna. They decided to leave her alone so she could lay her eggs in a hole by the boab tree. But that night, they all thought about how good it will be when those babies grow up and how many more goannas there will be to hunt!

This bilingual book – in Walmajarri and English – was produced in a workshop with ILF Ambassador Alison Lester.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.