9 deadly stories to help kids learn about Indigenous Australians
The history of our nation is a messy one, and a hard one to discuss with small children – but it’s important that we seek the truth and nurture kindness in all young Australians. If you’re looking for a good way to start to do this, books have that wonderful ability of spreading awareness and appreciation for the culture of our traditional land owners in a kid-friendly way.
To celebrate NAIDOC week, Kinderling is bringing you a collection of tales from First Nations authors and storytellers like Thomas Mayor, Helen Milroy, Ambelin Kwaymullina and Darren Compton. Listen to a different story each evening at 5pm, or listen to the whole collection and many more in the Kinderling App.
Here are just some of our all-time favourites:
1. Finding Our Heart
“When we all came together at Uluru, we invited all Australian people to accept our voice and culture as a gift. Can you help us find the heart of the nation?”
A story about the Uluru Statement for Young Australians, written by Thomas Mayor, a Torres Strait Islander man born on Larrakia country in Darwin and illustrated by Blak Douglas, born Adam Douglas Hill to an Aboriginal father of the Dhungutti people and an Irish-Australian mother.
2. The Sacred Hill
Written and illustrated by Indigenous Australian artist Gordon Hookey, who belongs to the Waanyi people of Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Sacred Hill is a story about four kangaroos who are happy living on the sacred hill until some rowdy myna birds disturb the peace. The roos are forced to leave their land, but thoughts of the hill are never far away. Soon they unite, embarking on an adventure that will lead them back home to the sacred hill.
3. Dreamers
By Ezekiel Kwaymullina, who is from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia
This beautiful story is really brought to life through the illustrations of Sally Morgan, and uses vivid language to celebrate the imagination of children. They may be small, but they are connected to their world – its stories and its songs – in a wonderful and special way.
4. Black Snake
By Aunty Jacinta Tobin, a musician and Darug descendant of the Aboriginal people of the Greater Sydney Region
This is a traditional D’harawal Dreaming story about how the red-bellied black snake got its fangs. Before listening, talk to your kids about how the traditional land owners of Australia used to make up stories to make sense of the world around them.
5. Caterpillar and Butterfly
By Ambelin Kwaymullina, from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Another story by the wonderful Ambelin Kwaymullina, and this one’s about a caterpillar that is afraid of everything! Listen as she goes on a journey of self-discovery and courage.
6. Little Koala Lost
By Blaze Kwaymullina, who belongs to the Palyku and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara region in north-west Western Australia
A little koala is trying to find his way home, but on the way he meets all sorts of animals. This sweet counting book is set in the Australian bush and will help kids learn about our native landscape and animals.
7. We All Sleep
By Ezekiel Kwaymullina, from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of WA, and Sally Morgan, from the Palyku and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara in WA
What better way to fall asleep than with a bedtime story set in the Australian bush!
8. Don’t Wake The Dingo
By award-winning Australian First Nations author/illustrator Sally Morgan, from the Palyku and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara in Western Australia
Seeking shelter from a wild storm, a few sodden animals sneak anxiously past sleeping Dingo. But what will happen when he wakes up?
9. How Frogmouth Found Her Home
By Ambelin Kwaymullina, from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Frogmouth is searching for a new place to nest, but nothing is quite right. She helps other animals find their true homes, but will she find hers? A story about friendship, family and identity.
Want to keep the cultural education going? Check out the First Nations Stories on the Kinderling app for more great stories the whole family can listen to.
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