Indigenous Picture Books for Children

For Lisa's Indigenous Literature Week I had planned to post a selection of new Indigenous picture books, however my plans were bigger than my time management abilities!

Fortunately, these beautiful books deserve to be shared at any time, regardless of NAIDOC week or ILW.

Baby Business (2019) by Jasmine Seymour is a wonderful story for new parents, showing us, sharing with us, one way to welcome a new baby to country. However it's not just baby business, but also mother, grandmother and aunty business.

Respect, love and tradition embues every page as we follow the rituals of a smoking ceremony of welcome.

I loved this a lot.
I loved it for its celebration of new life, diversity and belonging. For its pride in our heritage and traditions. For its openness in sharing personal rituals and beliefs.

It's a book that reminds us that we belong to Country; that it doesn't belong to us. That we should only 'take what we need and no more' then 'give back what you can, and help your Mudgin (family) and Nura (country) when they need it.'

Durag words are scattered naturally throughout the text.

Seymour's beautiful, warm earthy illustrations create tender scenes of family, women and country. The background has a soft, dreamy quality which draws the eye towards the action around the sharp-focused baby on each page.

Jasmine is a member of the Durag Custodian Aboriginal Corporation. Her bio at Magabala Books also says that she is,

a descendant of Maria Lock, daughter of Yarramundi, the Boorooberongal elder who met Governor Phillip on the banks of the Hawkesbury in 1791. Maria was the first Aboriginal woman to be educated by the Blacktown Native Institute. She was married to carpenter and convict, Robert Lock and their union resulted in thousands of descendants who can all trace their Darug heritage back past Yarramundi.

When I was growing up, this kind of Indigenous family history and acknowledgement of local Indigenous heritage did not exist. In certain circles, there was a lament that this information had been lost, but most (white) people didn't see the point of remembering it.

But then colonial family history research took off during the 1980's, as so many of us searched for our convict ancestors and the UK county of our forebears. Suddenly (white) Australians were proud of their convict past as they (re)claimed a small patch of the UK as an ancestral 'home'.

It feels like it has taken a lot longer for pride in our Indigenous history to also be embraced. It is still an evolving idea in many circles. But books like this can help all of us to acknowledge, understand and respect the traditional heritage of our land. To learn some of the language, to have a window into another culture, to share a moment together - theses are all tiny, baby steps towards truth telling, reconciliation and treaty.

Sorry Day (2018) by Coral Vass and illustrated by Dub Leffler tells two stories told side by side - a modern story set on the lawns of Parliament House on the day that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised for the Stolen Generation.

The older story provides a window into what it felt like to be stolen.

"Hide. HIDE!!" 

"White men  

The children trembled."

I have read sections of the Stolen Generation report and feel that I am open to seeing things from a perspective other than my own, but it is still confronting to realise that Aboriginal children today, and of old, automatically viewed all white men as people who they should fear. 

Dub Lefller is from the Bigambul and Mandandanji people of SW Queensland. His illustrations include a sepia style for the historic story, while the modern story is in full colour. A double page spread opens up at the end to combine the two styles. A timeline with the relevant facts and figures about the Stolen Generation and the events leading up to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology are provided at the end.

The book includes a foreward by Lee Joachim, Chair of Rumbalara Aboriginal Coop and Director of Research & Development for Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

It was Shortlisted for the 2019 CBCA Eve Pownall Award and a Winner of the Speech Pathologist Book of the Year 2018.

*August Update* Sorry Day won the Eve Pownall Information Book Award.

Little Bird's Day (2019) by Sally Morgan is a gorgeous picture book about a day in the life of a bird. Sally belongs to the Palyku people from the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia and is best known for her 1987 autobiography, My Place.

However, for me, Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr's stunning illustrations are the main attraction of this book. Malibirr is a Yolgu man from the Ganalbingu clan who has recently been awarded the Inaugural Kestin Indigenous Illustrator's Award. His bio on Magabala Books also says that he,

is known for his paintings of Ganalbingu song lines as well as his mother’s Wägilak clan stories. Along with other members of his clan, Johnny keeps culture strong through painting, song, dance, and ceremony. Johnny lives in the remote East Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak, where he is Chair of the Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation.

The illustrations have a strong connection to nature, using a traditional colour palate and styles. The sense of movement on each page is gracefully achieved, with a pleasing balance of details and open space.

It's a lovely nature story for a 3+ audience, that lends itself to simple dramatisation and dance moves.

Welcome to Country (2016) by Aunty Joy Murphy and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy is one of my favourite picture books of the moment. It not only feels worthy (of awards and recognition) and timely, but it's also sensitively and beautifully executed.

The initial 'welcome to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People' is presented in both English and Wurundjeri language, with a another reminder to 'only take from this land what you can give back.' The book celebrates Indigenous language, culture and art and is another example of a book naturally introducing the local language to a wider audience. 

Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO is an Elder of the Wurundjeri People of Melbourne and surrounds. She is a storyteller who 'is passionate about using story to bring people together and as a conduit for understanding Aboriginal culture.'

Lisa Kennedy is a descendant of the Trawlwoolway People on the north-east coast of Tasmania.

It was then my challenge to find a way to express this living culture in a contemporary way in my illustrations. I wanted to show the physical and the spiritual connection to Country and Ancestors using imagery accessible to a wide audience.

• Winner of the Environment Award for Children’s Literature
• Winner Educational Publishing Award
• CBCA Notable Book 
• Short-listed for the CBCA Crichton Award 
• Short-listed NSW Premier’s Literary Award
• Short-listed Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award

Land of the Echidna People (2019) by Percy Trezise and illustrated by Mary Lavis.

I wasn't completely sure about including this book in my collection of Indigenous picture books. Neither Percy Trezise (1923 - 2005) nor Mary Lavis are Aboriginal. However in the end I decided that the story behind this book was interesting and a good conversation starter around the whole cultural appropriation topic.

The Land of the Echidna People is the eighth book in Trezise's Journey to the Great Lakes series,
first begun in 1996. The eight books follow Jacinda and his younger sister Lande, brother Jalmor and dog, Lasca after a violent storm has carried them away from them family. The series follows their journey through various countries as they try to make their way home. Many of the books contain maps that allow the reader to follow the path they took. The stories are full of adventure, danger, belonging and family.

The first seven books were illustrated by Trezise himself. Sadly he died before finishing the last book. Mary Lavis offered her services to the family to finish Trezise's work to bring this series to an end.

• Home of the Kadimakara People (1996)
• Land of the Dingo People (1997)
• Land of the Emu People (1997)
• Land of the Snake People (2000)
• Land of the Brolga People (2001)
• Land of the Magpie Goose People (2001)
• Land of the Kangaroo People (2002)
• Land of the Echidna People (2019)

Trezise devoted his life to Aboriginal causes. In 1956 he moved to Cairns as a pilot to be closer to Aboriginal people. Discoveries of rock art during the 60's by road crews, encouraged Trezise to use his aerial skills to search for other 'lost' rock art areas. One of the most significant finds was the Quinkin Rock Art, in Cape York Peninsula, the oldest art site in the world. He helped the local Aboriginal community to advocate for this area to become a national park administered by them. He also purchased two properties to preserve and protect further rock art sites.

There is absolutely no doubt that Trezise's heart was in the right place. Various interviews and articles, including an Australia Story episode on ABC TV, show his life-long passion and support of Aboriginal culture and art. His collaborative friendship with Mornington Island illustrator, Dick Roughsey (1920 - 1985), gave him access to many of the 'old people'. He was granted the Aboriginal name, Gubbaladalli from the people of Mornington Island Mission.

After his death, two of his sons have continued his work in the area.

I suspect if Roughsey had still be alive, they would have collaborated on this series of myth-making stories, as they did with so many books before. My understanding is that they shared creative ideas and painting techniques. Trezise's interest in Aboriginal culture was not just a passing thing. It was a passion and belief that guided his whole life.

Reading Race: Aboriginality in Australian Children's Literature (2001) by Clare Bradford. She discusses at length the 'complex cultural politics' evident in the Trezise/Roughsey relationship. She claims that their work sits somewhere between an older style assimilationist approach and the contemporary retelling of traditional stories, 'caught between times and between changing practices.'

She sees Trezise's post-Roughsey work as 'redolent not so much of appropriation...as of a set of formulae not too remote from Aboriginal traditions to function effectively for contemporary readers.'

Wilam: A Birrarung Story (2019) is another story by Aunty Joy Murphy with Andrew Kelly, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy.

Andrew Kelly is a Yarra Riverkeeper, who had this to say about the writing process with Aunty Joy on the Booktopia Q&A site,

The writing of the book was a process of bouncing words and ideas between myself and Aunty Joy. The first draft of the manuscript had many more words and it was a matter of whittling them down to a sufficient elegance. The other part I really liked was working with Aunty Joy on the language and creating a seamless flow between Woiwurrung words and English.

I love this trend in embracing and sharing Indigenous languages in a natural way. We should all be growing up, hearing and using Aboriginal words, not just in the names of our country towns and rivers, but in songs and everyday speech.

Aunty Joy Murphy and Andrew Kelly use traditional language to name many known animals and natural things (like rain, tree, creek, river etc) in a beautifully illustrated story about the water cycle.

As ngua rises, Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen. Wilam – home.

Kennedy has merged scenes of modern life into and around her central images of the natural environment. Gorgeous end papers bookend the story.

A glossary at the back provides definitions for all the Indigenous words used throughout the story.

My Culture and Me (2019) by Gregg Dreise.

Dreise is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi tribes, from south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. As the Penguin blurb says, this is indeed a 'heartfelt and stirring story of cherishing and sustaining Indigenous cultures.'

One of the trends in children's picture books at the moment, is pride in Indigenous culture. They encourage Indigenous readers to reclaim, embrace and celebrate their cultural heritage. They allow non-Indigenous readers a window into another way of life. These stories embody a wonderful sense of sharing, acceptance and understanding with all Australians. 

It is such a long overdue idea that I'm hopeful this new trend is just one more signpost along the way to a more meaningful reconciliation process and a more 'fair and truthful relationship'* between us all. 

*Uluru Statement From the Heart

As an early childhood teacher in a previous life, I know the importance of the early years in laying down the foundation stones for a strong sense of self. Books like this help promote positive images and pride in culture. It is so important to have heroes and role models that look like you and sound like you in books. 

My one concern is that most Aboriginal children in Australia today, now live in cities and large urban areas, whereas most of these books are set in rural or remote areas. Country is such an important concept in Aboriginal culture and this shines through in all these books. But it's not only important to see people who look like you in books and stories, it's also important to have stories that reflect the lives you actually live in the places you are living them. 

Which leads me very nicely into Black Cockatoo (2018) by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler

Mia is a 13-year-old girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by the loss of her brother as he distances himself from the family. She feels powerless to change the things she sees around her, until one day she rescues her totem animal, the dirran black cockatoo, and soon discovers her own inner strength.

When I was teaching, the Aboriginal children in my class, were mostly being cared for by their grandparents. In fact, I can only think of one family where this was not the case. Stories that reflect this situation are important for a sense of belonging, but also for opening up the wider discussion around the why's and wherefore's of this reality.

Black Cockatoo is a short story that oozes themes of connection, standing up for yourself, freedom (for birds, animals and humans), family, totem, animal rights, respect and complicated family relationships. It's contemporary, real-life nature is suitable for 10+ readers.

Jaru words are used throughout the story.

The story includes evocative black and white paintings, mostly of the cockatoo. There is a glossary of indigenous terms used in the story at the back of the book.

Carl Merrison is a Jaru man from Halls Creek. Carl was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2016.

His partner, Hakea Hustler was a high school English teacher at Halls Creek District High School. She is committed to Indigenous education with a particular focus on 'school engagement, English language and story as learning, understanding and empowerment.'

Their book has been Shortlisted for the 2019 ABIA's Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year and the 2019 CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year.

I had planned on including Young Dark Emu: A Truer History (2019) by Bruce Pascoe in this post, but 

1. it's first print run sold out in a matter of days, so I've been waiting for the reprint to turn up to read it properly. 

2. this post is already too long and 

3. I suspect Pascoe's book will require a longer response than the few paragraphs I could give it here!

For now I will leave you with the words of Michael Warren in his 2012 thesis, Exclusive Inclusion: Aboriginality, The 'Juggernaut' of Modernity and Australian National Identity. 

Contradiction is indeed a feature common to the relationship between Aboriginal people and white Australia.

Since creativity evolves from and is inspired by the contradictions in our lives, I'd say we can look forward to many more engaging, confronting Indigenous stories in the years to come.

A Walk in the Bush by Gwyn Perkins

I feel that the CBCA has slightly tweeked their judging criteria this year. The categories for the Early Childhood Prize and Picture Book of the Year have been clearly differentiated by how the illustrations are used and by the ages of their readers.

CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood:
Entries in this category should be books suitable in content and style for pre and beginning readers for children in the age range 0 to 6 years (infants and pre-school level). This include works of fiction, poetry, wordless, board and concept books. The illustrations reflect all the text on the page and often do NOT add extra meaning to the storyline.

CBCA Picture Book of the Year:
Entries in this category should be books of the genre in which the text and illustrations achieve artistic and literary unity and the story, theme or concept is enhanced and unified through the illustrations. A picture book can be written and illustrated by a sole creator or a collaborative effort between two or more creators. The text and illustrations work cohesively. The illustrations are an integral part of, or extend the meaning on the page. The age range for this category is 0 to 18 years.

Gwyn Perkin's A Walk in the Bush has won this year's Picture Book of the Year Award. Perkins is both the author and the illustrator.

He uses simple pen drawings, a soft colour palette & Photoshop to create an evocative, heart-warming stroll through the Australian bush. Perkins is based on a little island in the middle of Pittwater in northern Sydney, he also spends a lot of time in the Blue Mountains. All three areas are lovingly depicted in this book.

Perkins is obviously an advocate for mindful walking as opposed to serious hiking. His granddad character takes the time to listen to the birds, notice changes in the flora and smell the gum leaves. He tells bad granddad jokes to his grandchild/cat character and is constantly encouraging Iggy to engage with the natural world around.

One of the big successes here is Perkin's ability to tell so much of the story via believable, tender body language (instead of dialogue). There is genuine affection and caring between the two characters, even when they sit quietly enjoying the peace of the bush. Meanwhile the watchful wildlife constantly bring your attention back to the connection between the granddad and Iggy.

Each picture is a double page spread. Words are kept to a minimum while feeling oozes from every detail. Sharing this book with my colleagues produced oodles of laughs and bucket loads of awww's!

A worthy winner indeed of a book prize the celebrates the beautiful and meaningful combination of art and words.

Perkin's follow up book, A Day at the Show is equally as charming, funny and delightful. I also loved the nostalgic feeling I got from wandering around an old-style country show with granddad and Iggy...and chook. A 2019 contender for sure!

Book 19 of #20booksofsummer (winter)

CBCA Eve Pownall Information Book Shortlist 2018

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Books entered into this category should intend to document factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style, for kids aged anywhere between 0-18 years. 

The 2018 shortlist for the Eve Pownall Award looks a little like this: 

Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost (Illustrator)

Can microbes be made fun for kids? Ben-Barak, a microbiologist amongst other things, thinks so. Min is a cartoon-style microbe whose interactive approach to teaching us about microorganisms is designed to get kids excited and wondering...and washing their hands!

M is for Mutiny! History by Alphabet by John Dickon and Bern Emmerichs (Illustrator) 

An Australian alphabet viewed with an Indigenous perspective in mind. Each letter depicts well-known historical people and events as seen with a European and a first peoples point of view - from first settlement, to William Bligh, from Joseph Banks to the naming of our flora and fauna and from Yemmerrawanne to Terra nullius. Indigenous peoples and culture gets to shine right alongside that of the European settlers to embrace our shared history.

My only concern is a couple of factual glitches that jumped out at me. I'm not sure the Captain Cook was actually eaten by the natives of Hawaii in 1779, but the line in question may have just been a fun, throw away line said for effect rather than authenticity. I'm also not really sure that you could say that the area around The Domain is the Parramatta River either. Yes, technically the Parramatta River flows through Sydney Harbour and out to sea, but it's not really how we think of this body of water. Perhaps, though, there is an Indigenous perspective here that I'm unaware of?

Left & Right by Lorna Hendry

A sturdy yet soft, flexy book cover full of fascinating facts and figures about lefties and righties. From tips on how to remember which is which, to what ambidextrous means plus ancient beliefs, unusual customs and misconceptions. Curious but true information about reflections, symmetry, clockwise, spirals and our brains plus little known facts about left and right in the animal kingdom.
Clear photography and graphics illustrate the various points and facts being made throughout.

Amazing Australians in Their Flying Machines by Prue & Kerry Mason and Tom Jellett (Illustrator) 

Prue and Kerry Mason are both pilots who like to restore classic aircraft. In this book they share with us their love of flying in this book about ten of our early aviators. They include 'amazing facts' and 'did you know?' text boxes for each pilot as well as their planes and aviation in general. Jellett uses old photographs, illustrations and humour to bring the text to life.

The Big Book of Antarctica by Charles Hope

This is one of those books that is very school-y in style and intent, which isn't to say that the photography isn't stunning. It is, but it felt rather dry to me. A worthy contender but nothing outstanding.

Koala by Claire Saxby and Julie Vivas (Illustrator).

A coming of age story for our young koala as he leaves his mother and his tree to find his very own tree. Naturally he faces a few adventures and hazards along the way. Saxby dots the story with little fact checks while Vivas dots the illustrations with love and tenderness.

Once Upon A Small Rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay

Once Upon A Rhinoceros is my kind of picture book.

As a child I dreamed of setting off into the big, wide world to explore. I've always wanted to see what there was to be seen. I couldn't wait to be grown up so that I could finally just go.

Small rhinoceros has the very same dream; she wants to see the world. She patiently waits until the time is right, and as you can see by the glorious cover designed by Leila Rudge, she succeeds.

She sailed on...through the woolly wild of winter and the smooth sweep of summer...to faraway lands and beyond.

On her return home, her family and friends are happy to see her, but unimpressed by her tales...all except for one quiet voice who asks,

'Did you get lost?'

'Many times.'

'And was it...wonderful?' 

'Oh yes!'  

Oh yes indeed!

With themes of independence and freedom, pushing the boundaries of what is considered 'normal' and daring to be different to fulfil your heart's desire, Once Upon A Small Rhinoceros will charm you and inspire you in equal measure.

Meg McKinlay has written some of my favourite books for teens and children, including the CBCA award winning A Single Stone, No Bears and Ten Tiny Things. She has a wonderful blog post describing her creative journey with this particular story here.

Leila Rudge adds collage elements to her pencil, paint and paper 'hand snipped' illustrations. She has written and illustrated the wonderful CBCA Notable book Ted, the very popular CBCA shortlisted book, Gary as well as No Bears with McKinlay.

#AusReadingMonth
#AustralianWomenWriters Challenge

My Brother by Dee Huxley

My Brother is a CBCA shortlisted book that is all about family. It is written and illustrated by Dee Huxley, with the visual characters drawn by her son Oliver and the book designed by her daughter Tiffany. My Brother is dedicated to Morgan.

The story is also very personal.

This book came about because of the loss of a loved one in tragic circumstances, & our world changed forever. It is both a tribute & a release. A tribute to a beautiful, empathetic soul, who touched so many lives, young & old, & who will be loved & missed forever. A release, albeit sorrowful, to be able to make this book for him, & us, & others like us, & a hope that he is somewhere beautiful & safe now. The main character, a metaphorical gentle creature, represents the emotional journey of loss, disbelief, grief, but also a journey of hope.

Everything about this story is carefully considered. From the placement of the text on the page, to the spacing between words and within certain words. The poem-like text that uses the language of grief and loss so sparsely and evocatively. To the black and white graphite illustrations that are full of detail and pathos. Colour is gradually added in the final few pages to offer hope and some lightening of the mood.

The personal nature of this work suffuses every page, every word.

Woven through each of the drawings are, as Dee says, images of thoughts and memories related ‘to childhood, adolescence, & the few years of adulthood … resulting in a surreal, nonsensical thread throughout the book’. She adds, ‘We know their meaning, others can form their own interpretation’.

After reading about Morgan's murder here, the fragile, haunting beauty of this book leaps off the pages and into your heart. The pain, distress and grief that the Huxley family have endured over the past few years is unimaginable. Being able to use their collective creative sensibilities on this project must have been both a cathartic experience as well as another step along their road towards healing.

All the quotes in this post are from the Working Title Press teacher notes.

Rockhopping by Trace Balla

Rockhopping is Trace Balla's follow up book to Rivertime with Clancy and Uncle Egg once again getting ready to head off an eco-adventure.

I love these books a lot.

I love their gentle pace and laid back attitudes.

I love their environmental credentials and back to nature ethos.

I love their attention to details.

I love their emphasis on problem solving, responsibility and being capable.

I love their zen-like, go with the flow, be in the moment philosophy.

But most of all I love how these books remind us that we are all a part of nature. Our natural environment is affected by our interactions with it whether we live in the city or the country.

As Balla says in the Teacher's Notes produced by her publisher, Allen & Unwin,

When you stop trying to get anywhere and just be, a whole world of wonder can open up to you. And when you stop going with a plan and follow the flow, you may find a world of unexpected opportunities revealing themselves to you. The more you look the more you find out. It’s also about realising we are part of the natural world, rather than separate to it, and that we are not alone, but surrounded by other life. Themes of growing up and realising what we are capable of are also explored.

Rockhopping is also respectful to the indigenous tribes of The Grampians (Gariwerd) in Victoria. Balla uses traditional names and common names for places as well as referring to aspects of Aboriginal culture throughout the book.

Commonsense, logic and thorough preparation are also applauded. There is a page of items that Clancy and Egg collected before they went off on their adventure. Practical handy survival tips are interwoven into the story at various points.

Balla adds an historical perspective to one of the sections. Day five shows a timeline with Clancy and Uncle Egg discussing the value of a good walking stick on a big bushwalk. The timeline then shows the same stick being used by a logger, a goldminer, a Chinese market gardener, a squatter and a Jardwadjali woman to dig.

Several trips to the region were integrated into ongoing discussions with local indigenous elders which helped Balla ensure that the local knowledge was authentic and up to date.

Balla received lots of support from local elders. She said in an interview on Reading Time that,

Milipiri Elder Wanta Jampijimpa has given me encouragement to keep doing these stories, that he says are about ‘reading country” and giving hope. Renowned environmental educator David Suzuki has also given me encouragement about my books inspiring kids to be in nature. These two elders encouragement points to passing on wisdom that we often lose sight of in our modern, often urban culture.

Rockhopping has been shortlisted for this years CBCA Younger Readers award.

Reflection by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg

Reflection: Remembering Those Who Serve in War by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg & Robin Cowcher has been made a CBCA Notable book for 2017.

A rather big part of me sighed when I saw this book, as I'm feeling overwhelmed and inundated by war books at the moment. The trouble is, all these lovely picture books have been put together so thoughtfully, they all approach the war story from a slightly different angle and they all have something worthwhile and relevant to say about war and peace.

Reflections is a war story very simply told. Each double page has a one sentence story that relates to what is happening across both pages - one page reflects a scene from war; it's facing page reflects a modern image of memorial.

The book begins with the Boer War and moves through WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and IraqII.

The final double page spread includes a brief information box about each of the wars that Australians have fought in overseas.

Robin Cowcher's illustrations in Reflections augment the style that I loved so much in Little Dog and the Christmas Wish. Her wistful mix of water colour and line drawings creates a nostalgic feel that allows the past and the contemporary to blend together visually.

I created this list of children's war books a couple of years ago. I've updated it with all the new titles. Please let me know if I've missed something obvious (especially any Australian titles or classics).

WW1 Books for Children & Teens:

(A) 1914 by Sophie Masson
(A) 1915 by Sally Murphy
(A) 1916 by Alan Tucker
(A) A Day To Remember by Jackie French and Mark Wilson

(A) And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle & Bruce Whatley
(A) ANZAC Biscuits by Phil Cummings & Owen Swan
(A) ANZAC Sons by Allison Marlow Paterson
(A) An ANZAC Tale by Ruth Starke & Mark Holfeld
(A) ANZAC Ted by Belinda Landsberry
(A) The ANZAC Tree by Christina Booth
(A) The Beach They Called Gallipoli by Jackie French
Biggles series by Cpt WE Johns
(A) The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tucker
(A) Boys of Blood and Bone by David Metzenthen

(A) Digger the Dog Who Went to War by Mark Wilson
(A) Dont Forget Australia by Sally Murphy
(A) Evan's Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood
(A) Eventual Poppy Day by Libby Hathorn
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

(A) Flambards (series) by K M Peyton
(A) Fromelles by Carole Wilkinson
(A) Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood
(A) Gallipoli by Alan Tucker
(A) The Horse Soldier by Mark Wilson
(A) In Flanders Field by Norman Jorgensen
(A) Jack's Bugle by Krista Bell
(A) The Last ANZAC by Gordon Winch
(A) Light Horse Boy by Dianne Wolfer
(A) Light House Girl by Dianne Wolfer

(A) Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman
(A) Memorial by Gary Crew
(A) My Father's War by Sophie Masson
(A) My Gallipoli by Ruth Stark
(A) My Mother's Eyes by Mark Wilson
(A) One Minute's Silence by David Metzenthen & Michael Camilleri
(A) Our Enemy My Friend by Jenny Blackman
(A) The Poppy by Andrew Plant
Private Peaceful by Micheal Morpurgo
(A) The Red Poppy by David Hill & Fifi Colston
Rilla of Ingleside by L M Montgomery
(A) Roly, the ANZAC Donkey by Glyn Harper
(A) A Rose For the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French
(A) The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett
(A) Simpson and His Donkey by Mark Greenwood & Frané Lessac
(A) Soldier Boy The True Story of Jim Martin the Youngest ANZAC by Anthony Hill
(A) The Soldier's Gift by Jane Tanner
(A) Tank Boys by Stephen Dando-Collins
War Games by James Riordan
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
(A) When We Were Two by Robert Newton

WWII Books:

(A) After by Morris Gleitzman
(A) Angel of Kokoda by Mark Wilson

(A) Angels of Kokoda by David Mulligan
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
(A) The Blue Cat by Ursula Dubosarsky
(A) The Bombing of Darwin by Alan Tucker
(A) The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
(A) The Boy and the Spy by Felice Arena
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
Carrie's War by Nina Bawden
(A) Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
(A) Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell
Front Lines (series) by Michael Grant
Going Solo by Roald Dahl
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Henderson's Boys (series) by Robert Muchamore
Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes
(A) Heroes of Tobruk by David Mulligan
(A) Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French
I Am David by Ann Holm
(A) Kokoda by Alan Tucker
(A) Little Paradise by Gabrielle Wang
(A) The Little Refugee by Ahn Do
Maus by Art Spielgelman
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
(A) Now, Then and Once by Morris Gleitzman
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
(A) Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
The Silver Sword by Ian Serralier

(A) Soon by Morris Gleitzman
The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
The Wave by Rhue Morton
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
(A) The Wrong Boy by Suzy Zail

(A) Yoko's Diary by Paul Ham

Other Wars (Refugees & Peace):

(A) The Afghanistan Pup by Mark Wilson

(A) Amina by J L Powers
(A) The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepytys
(A) The Bone Sparrow by Zana Frallion
(A) Bread and Honey by Ivan Southall
(A) Caesar The War Dog by Stephen Dando-Collins
The Conquerors by David McKee
(A) Emilio by Sophie Masson

(A) Flight by Nadia Wheatley
(A) I Was Only Nineteen by John Schumann
The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland
(A) The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett
(A) My Grandad Marches on ANZAC Day by Catriona Hoy
(A) Naveed by John Heffernan
Never Fall Down by Patrica McCormick

(A) One Step at a Time by Jane Jolly

(A) One Thousand Hills by James Roy & Noel Zihabamwe
(A) Parvana by Deborah Ellis
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
(A) Refugee: The Diary of Ali Ismail by Alan Sunderland
(A) Refugees by David M Miller
Shadow by Michael Morpurgo
(A) Shahana by Roseanne Hawke
(A) Treasure Box by Margaret Wild
The Twelth Day of July (Sadie & Kevin series) by Joan Lingard
(A) Vietnam Diary by Mark Wilson

(A) We're All Australian Now by A B Paterson & Mark Wilson
When the Wind Blows by Raymond Briggs
Z for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien
(A) Ziba Came on a Boat by Liz Lofthouse

Read (pre-blogging days)

The lovely Louise at A Strong Belief in Wicker has also played around with a list of war books for children. Between the two of us, we've covered a lot of ground!

Picture Book Technology & Online Safety

It was only a matter of time before we saw picture books for children that contained themes about mobile phone use. The two latest offerings deal with the positive aspects as well as the addictive nature of technology and social media.

Australian writer/illustrator Nick Bland gives us The Fabulous Friend Machine. Popcorn the hen is a very friendly chook. She's even won awards for friendliness. One day she discovers a glowing device on the ground near her home. It appears to be very, very friendly.

But Popcorn quickly learns that spending hours and hours talking to her new online friends can cause problems with her real life friends. And who are these new friends anyway?

After nearly being running over by a tractor (because she was too busy looking at her screen) and discovering that her new online friends were actually wolves, Popcorn rediscovers the value of paying attention to her real life friends. She also learns to exercise more caution when using her new friend machine.

Nick Bland is a CBCA and ABIA award winning illustrator. He doesn't appear to have his own web page, but he did have an exhibition last year in Darwin (where he now lives), to show off some of the work featured in his previous 26 books. Bland's usual medium is acrylic paint and pens.

Tek: The Modern Cave Boy by Patrick McDonnell also deals with the addictive nature of mobile devices, online games and binge TV viewing, but plays around with the book's formatting to do so. McDonnell's Tek looks and feels like a tablet, with firm dark edges and a screen like set-up on each page. You can even see the battery life running low as you read along.

Both books use humour to convey their message. However Tek needs to learn to disconnect so that he reconnect with his family, friends and the real world around him. His technology obsession is making him uncommunicative and anti-social.

McDonnell is an American author/illustrator best known for his comic strip MUTTS. His recent forays into picture book territory have already elicited New York Times bestsellers and a Caldecott Honor winner.

Have you come across any other picture books dealing with online behaviour and mobile phone use for children?

Another Australian title is The Internet is a Puddle by psychologist Shona Innes - initially written to help some of her clients, it teaches us how to play safely online.

Please add titles or links to any other picture books (from anywhere in the world) in the comments below so that we can build up a picture book online safety resource list.

Circle by Jeannie Baker

Circle is one of those amazing, gorgeous picture books that I love and adore...right up until the very last page.

But that last page does my head in every single time I read it. Before I go into the final page, let me tell you all the reasons why I love and adore the rest of the book.

Firstly, I had the very great privilege of attending the book launch and exhibition opening for Circle at the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney last year. Being able to see Baker's collages up close and personal is a real treat that I would move heaven and earth to be a part of (I also attended the opening of her exhibition for Mirror six years ago).

The collages were hung between child and adult height for everyone to enjoy. They're not huge pieces, which makes the precision details in each one even more impressive. The colours, the textures, the perspectives are an aesthetic delight.

Secondly, Circle is the story of the bar-tailed godwit, a migratory bird that I knew nothing about until the launch/opening night. This incredible little bird takes a six day flight from Australia/New Zealand via the Yellow Sea to Alaska each year.

Thirdly, this is a story about our environment and our climate and what we have been doing to it and how it affects the smallest members of our planet. It's a story about our global ecosystem and how everything is connected. Circle is the ultimate tale of belonging.

And now the ending.

The very first illustration in the book shows us a boy in bed with a wheelchair beside him. We have no explanation for this. The assumption I made was that the boy had a permanent disability. There was nothing in the image to suggest to me that he was only injured for a period of time (i.e. wearing a cast for a broken leg, get well cards on the bedside table etc). Instead he is reading a book about birds and day dreaming about flying.

Baker refers to an injury in the teacher's notes provided on the night. If this had been obvious to me, I could have accepted this very same boy at the end of the book on crutches, rushing to save the godwit on the beach, dropping his crutches and suddenly walking/running. If I'd known he was recovering from a protracted injury, I could have applauded his hard work and apparent recovery.

The teacher's note conclude with 'thus, the bird's year long migration is given a human perspective'.

However it looked to me, like a child with a permanent disability who suddenly walked. It didn't make sense. I certainly didn't experience the human journey within the bird's journey that the notes indicated. It felt like it was something added on as an afterthought.

Part of judging whether a picture book for children has been successful or not is if the illustrations and the stories work alongside each other. According to the CBCA judging criteria for early childhood books, there needs to be a 'unity of purpose' where the issues in the text and the pictures revolve and resolve together.

Perhaps this is why Circle has been longlisted for the Picture Book of the Year award (which focuses on the illustrations) and the Eve Pownall Book of the Year (which focus on the information/non-fiction elements within the story) and not the Early Childhood Book Award.

+ Winner of the 2017 Australian Indie Book Children's Award.

CBCA 2017

It's that time of year again, when all the longlists and shortlists are making their appearances.

We've just had all the excitement of the Stella shortlist and Bailey's Women's Prize longlist - both announced on International Women's Day. But last week the Children's Book Council Australia outdid them all be releasing their MAMMOTH, HUGE, ENORMOUS list of Notable books for 2017.

This is the biggest longlist I've ever seen!

So sit back with a cuppa (or a stiff drink) and peruse this humongous list of Australian children's books! Which ones have you read so far?

The shortlist will be announced on the 28th March with the overall winners being announced during Book Week on the 18th August.

Update: Titles marked with an (S) are the 2017 shortlisted books.

CBCA Older Readers Notables:

The Hounded by Simon Butters
(S) Yellow by Megan Jacobson
(S) Waer by Meg Caddy
Becoming Aurora by Elizabeth Kasmer
(S) Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis
My Best Friend is a Goddess by Tara Eglington
Ocean of the Dead (Ship Kings #4) by Andrew McGahan
(S) The Bone Sparrow by Zara Fraillon
The Stars at Oktober Bend by Glenda Millard
Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
A Toaster on Mars by Darrell Pitt
(S) Frankie by Shivaun Plozza
Everything is Changed by Nova Weetman
Our Chemical Heart by Krystal Sutherland
The Invisible War by Ailsa Wild
Forgetting Foster by Dianne Touchell
(S) One Would Think the Deep by Claire Zorn

CBCA Younger Readers Notables:

Cybertricks by Goldie Alexander

Freedom Swimmer by Wai Chen

(S) Rockhopping by Trace Balla  (R)

The Family With Two Front Doors by Anna Ciddor

Blueberry Pancakes Forever by Angelica Banks

Magrit by Lee Battersby

The Pearl-shell Diver by Kay Crabbe

(S) Within These Walls by Robyn Bavati

Yong by Janeen Brian

Wicked's Way by Anna Fienberg

(S) A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee

Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts by Lesley Gibbes

Toad Delight by Morris Gleitzman

Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall

Daystar by Anne Hamilton

Daughters of Nomads by Rosanne Hawke

Lily in the Mirror by Paula Hayes

Fail Safe by Jack heath

The Unforgettable What's His Name by Paul Jennings

Theophilus Grey and the Traitor's Mask by Catherine Jinks

When the Lyrebird Calls by Kim Kane

Ruby Wishfingers Skydancer's Escape by Deborah Kelly

Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London by Kate Knapp

Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller

The Lost Sapphire by Belinda Murrell

The Twins of Tintarfell by James O'Loghlin

(S) Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr

(S) Mrs Whitlam by Bruce Pascoe

Pocket Rocket by Ellyse Perry & Sherryl Clark

The Other Christy by Oliver Phommavanh

Wormwood Mire (Stella Montgomery #2) by Judith Rossell

Artie and the Grime Wave by Richard Roxburgh

Lizzie and Margaret Rose by Pamela Rushby

Tommy Bell Shoot-out at the Rock by Jane Smith

(S) Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers Third Grade by Kate & Jol Temple

What's in a Name by Myles Walsh

The Secrets We Keep by Nova Weetman

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters by Ailsa Wild

The Shark Caller by Dianne Wolfer

CBCA Early Childhood Notables:

Zelda's Big Adventure by Marie Alafaci

Oh Albert by Davina Bell  (R)

(S) Go Home Cheeky Animals by Johanna Bell

Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey  (R)

Little Chicken Chickadee by Janeen Brian

(S) All I Want for Christmas is Rain by Cori Brooke

The 12th Dog by Charlotte Calder  (R)

(S) The Snow Wombat by Susannah Chambers  (R)

The Cat Wants Custard by Paul Crumble  (R)

(S) Nannie Loves by Kylie Dunstan

Ducks Away by Mem Fox  (R)

Little Bear's First Sleep by Lesley Gibbes

Bear Makes Den by Jane Godwin & Michael Wagner  (R)

Home in the Rain by Bob Graham  (R)

(S) Chip by Kylie Howarth

Bird and Bear and the Special Day by Ann James

Hello Little Babies by Alison Lester  (R)

Smile Cry by Tania McCarthy  (R)

Dream Little One Dream by Sally Morgan  (R)

Joey Counts to Ten by Sally Morgan

Twig by Aura Parker  (R)

Molly and Mae by Danny Parker  (R)

Agatha and the Dark by Anna Pignataro

(S) Gary by Leila Rudge

Wild Pa by Claire Saxby

The Whole Caboodle by Lisa Shanahan

Ten Little Owls by Renee Treml  (R)

My Perfect Pup by Sue Walker

Take Ted Instead by Cassandra Webb

Together Always by Edwina Wyatt 

CBCA Picture Book Notables:

The Sisters Saint-Claire illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

(S) One Photo illustrated by Liz Anelli

Desert Lake The Story of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre illustrated by Liz Anelli

Circle by Jeannie Baker 

(S) Mechanica by Lance Balchin

Colours of Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft  (R)

Where is Bear by Jonathan Bentley

Blue Sky Yellow Kite illustrated by Jonathan Bentley  (R)

Don't Call Me Bear by Aaron Blabey  (R)

Molly and Mae illustrated by Freya Blackwood  (R)

Hattie Helps Out illustrated by Freya Blackwood  (R)

Something Wonderful illustrated by Karen Blair  (R)

The Fabulous Friend Machine  by Nick Bland  (R)

Reflection Remembering Those Who Served in War illustrated by Robin Cowcher 

Captain Sneer the Buccaneer illustrated by Gabriel Evans  (R)

A Patch From Scratch by Megan Forward  (R)

Somewhere Else by Gus Gordon  (R)

(S) Home in the Rain by Bob Graham  (R)

On the River by Roland Harvey

Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma by Leigh Hobbs  (R)

(S) My Brother illustrated by Oliver Huxley

Grandpa's Big Adventure illustrated by Tom Jellett  

Blue The Builder's Dog illustrated by Andrew Joyner  (R)

Welcome to Country illustrated by Lisa Kennedy  (R)

A Soldier, A Dog and A Boy illustrated by Phil Lesnie

Archie No Ordinary Sloth by Heath McKenzie  (R)

Melbourne Word by Word by Michael McMahon  (R)

Snail and Turtle Rainy Days by Stephen Michael King

Pandamonia illustrated by Chris Nixon

Crusts illustrated by Matt Ottley  (R)

Spark illustrated by Andrew Plant

Smeck by Ben Redlich

Milo by Tobhy Riddle  (R)

(S) The Patchwork Bike illustrated by Van T Rudd  (R)

Gary by Leila Rudge

Dog Lost illustrated by Brian Simmonds

Chooks in Dinner Suits illustrated by Craig Smith

(S) Out illustrated by Owen Swan

Stanley by Colin Thompson  (R)

Small Things by Mel Tregonning

Cyclone illustrated by Bruce Whatley  (R)

New Year Surprise! illustrated by Di Wu

CBCA Eve Pownall Information Book Notables:

Circle by Jeannie Baker 

Resource Stories of Australian Innovation in Wartime by Jennet Cole-Adams & Judy Gauld

(S) Spellbound Making Pictures with the A B C by Maree Coote

(S) A Z of Endangered Animals by Jennifer Cossins

Socks Sandbags and Leeches: Letters to my Anzac Dad by Pauline Deeves

Desert Lake by Pamela Freeman

Boomerang and Bat by Mark Greenwood  (R)

(S) The Gigantic Book of Genes by Lorna Hendry

Chooks in Dinner Suits by Diane Jackson Hill

Hello! by Joanna Karmel  (R)

Australia's Nightingale: Nellie Melba by Cassy Liberman & Sara Carter Jenkins  (R)

The ABC Book of Food by Helen Martin & Judith Simpson

(S) Fabish The Horse that Braved a Bushfire by Neridah McMullin  (R)

(S) Amazing Animals of Australia's National Parks by Gina M Newton

Degas An Art Book for Kids by Kate Ryan

(S) William Bligh A Stormy Story of Temestuous Times by Michael Sedunary  (R)

Aliens Ghosts and Vanishings Strange and Possibly True Australian Stories by Stella Tarakson

Now that's a longlist!

The Crichton Award Shortlist:

Mechanica by Lance Balchin

A Patch From Scratch by Megan Forward  (R)

Welcome to Country illustrated by Lisa Kennedy  (R)

Melbourne Word by Word by Michael McMahon  (R)

The Patchwork Bike illustrated by Van T Rudd  (R)

Small Things by Mel Tregonning

(R) read by not reviewed