Yakanarra Song Book

Jessie Wamarla Moora and Mary Purnjurr Vanbee with Chris Aitken and Alison Lester

A collection of 14 beautifully illustrated songs about Yakanarra and the Walmajarri people who live there. The collection includes songs about how the Walmajarri came to Yakanarra, their special places, the animals and birds and reptiles that live there, including the lungkura the blue-tongued lizard. Ten of the songs are in Walmajarri and were written in the 1980s and 1990s by Walmajarri teachers.

Ngiya Yintanga Japarrika

Students from Tiwi College

Kay-Bell can kick a goal, take a specky and tackle with the power of a buffalo. But she has to travel to Melbourne and play in the VFLW to make her AFLW dream come true. Can she overcome a horrible flatmate, a racist spectator and homesickness to get drafted? Being away from home has never been so hard!

Nginingawila Ngirramini - Our Story

Students from Tiwi College with Anita Heiss and Pamela Freeman.

"Stories of sacred places highlight the connection and appreciation of their country as well as enticing readers to visit the stunning Tiwi Islands north of Darwin" -Dr Anita Heiss Nginingawila Ngirramini Tiwi language for 'Our Story' was written bynine students from Tiwi College (Tiwi Islands, NT) with Anita Heiss and Pamela Freeman. The book is a celebration of these girls' lives. It traces their heroes, sacred places, and happiest memories.

Shallow in the Deep End

Tiwi College Senior girls with Jared Thomas

Shallow In the Deep End is about the friendship and adventures of Shallow the baby water buffalo and Bruno the dog. It was published as part of the ILF Create Initiative. The Initiative partners young Indigenous women with publishers and mentors.

Moli det bigibigi (Molly the pig)

Karen Manbulloo

This is the story of Molly, a little pig who is rescued from the bush. She's taken back to the community where she finds a happy home, apart from the local dogs who keep chasing and frightening her. Moli is greatly loved in her community but what she loves most is Weet Bix. She loves it so much that it's not too long before little Moli is a very big pig indeed. So big, she now chases and frightens the local dogs. All in good fun, of course. The illustrations are an absolute delight and watching Molly grow and grow and grow will bring a smile to readers' faces and outright laughter at the end.

Hello, Hello

Students from Laverton, Menzies and Tjuntjuntjara remote community schools

A family is walking home on a very dark night. It's hard to see clearly what is that shadow? And what is that noise??? Turn the pages of this intriguing and atmospheric book and join the family as they discover what the dark night is hiding.

I Saw We Saw

Students from Nhulunbuy Primary School with Ann James and Ann Haddon

With its stunning illustrations and intriguing text, I Saw We Saw provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of Yolngu students at Nhulunbuy Primary School. There's much to see on every page page, with the opportunity to learn some Yolngu Matha words, the authors' first language, making this book a delight to read and explore.

Two Ways Strong - Jaz's Story

The Deadly Mob from Concordia Lutheran College,with Claire Scobie and Kristine Ellis

Going to boarding school can be a difficult transition for many students, but for Indigenous students from remote communities, it can be quite a culture shock. InTwo Ways Strong, Indigenous students from Concordia Lutheran College have combined to tell their experience in a story about Jaz a young girl from Palm Island who goes to boarding school at the age of fourteen. Jaz has many challenges to face, not least having to speak English and make herself understood. Her fellow Indigenous students help to ease the way for her but ultimately it's up to Jaz to make the most of what boarding school has to offer. As she becomes accustomed to school life, has fun with her friends and has academic success, Jaz realises just how much she has gained and grown in the time she's been at school. She's no longer just one way strong like she was on Palm Island, she's now two ways strong and ready to take on the world.

Japarrika

Senior students of Tiwi College with David Lawrence and Shelley Ware.

A powerful story about finding the courage to believe in yourself - Kay-Bell loves to play footy. All she wants to do on the field is make her family and the Tiwi people proud. But when Aunty B gets in the way of her dream of kicking goals for the Tiwi Warriors, Kay-Bell must enlist the help of her friends and brother on a wild journey ... Will she survive the water buffaloes, dugongs, crocodiles and stormy weather to make it to the big game?

Japarrika Rises

Senior students of Tiwi College with David Lawrence and Shelley Ware.

From the creators of Japarrika comes a new inspiring story of a young Tiwi woman's journey to greatness. Kay-Bell is desperate to play in the AFLW, but there are many obstacles ahead for the footy star. Will she get all her jobs done, escape her mean aunty and overcome her own self-doubt to make it all the way? And with the help of her brother, two best friends and her spirit bird Japarrika will her dreams come true?

My Body

Maureen Yanawana and La Grange Remote Community School and KindiLink. Photographs by Wayne Quillam

This bright, beautiful and fun board book is perfect for the youngest readers to learn the names of various parts of the body. My Body 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 and pointing to the relevant part of the body in the book and on their own body. The book was created at an ILF workshop at Bidyadanga (La Grange) facilitated by ILF Ambassador Alison Lester and Jane Godwin.

Tiwi Seasons with Marius

Tiwi College senior girls

Join Tiwi man Marius as he shows his friend Michael and son Justin around the Tiwi Islands. SIZZLE! During tiyari season it is hot and sticky. BOOM! The rain and thunder comes in for jamutakari season. WOO! Everyone cheers at the Tiwi grand final when kumunupunari season begins. There are so many fun things to do on Tiwi throughout the seasons. A book created by Tiwi College senior girls so that Tiwi children can see their own culture in a book and share it with the world.

Mayarda (Pelicans)

Featuring beautiful illustrations of pelicans and fish, learn to count in Gooniyandi with this playful song book. Children can count the hungry pelicans and the unfortunate fish that the pelicans want to eat. The playful tune will have the whole family singing along. The book is bilingual, written in Gooniyandi and English. The illustrations for this book were produced in workshops with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, and children's author and publisher Jane Godwin. The song was created and produced in collaboration with Gillian Howell from The University of Melbourne as part of Tura New Music's ongoing Sound FX residencies in Fitzroy Crossing.

Moli bin git stak (Molly gets stuck)

Karen Manbulloo

The much awaited follow up to popular children's book Moli det bigibigi, the new book Moli bin git stak follows the adventures of a now grown-up Moli the pig. Looking for shade on a hot day in Kalano, Moli takes shelter under a local van, but ends up getting stuck! Will she manage to get free?

Jirntipirriny jaa Lamparn Parri (Willy Wagtail and the Little Boy)

One morning, a little boy and his family go looking for bush berries. The boy wanders off on his own, following the calls of a willy wagtail. Learn more about life on Country with the little boy and his family. The story emphasises the importance of family and belonging. The book is bilingual, written in Walmajarri and English. The illustrations for this book were produced in workshops with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, and children's author and publisher Jane Godwin.

Kurrartuwarnti (Brolgas)

June Nixon

In the wet season, a family of brolgas make their nests in the long grass. They look after their eggs, search for food, and dance together. Written in Walmajarri and English, the story is about brolgas nesting, dancing, and defying any foes who might want to eat them up. Written and illustrated by first time author June Nixon, this stunningly illustrated book will be an immediate family favourite. The illustrations for this book were produced in workshops with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, and children's author and publisher Jane Godwin.

ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul: We belong to the land, We belong to the sea

Students from Vincentia High School

ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul is a collection of poems and stories in Dhurga and English, by students from Vincentia High School. The accompanying artwork, created by the students for the Community, honours the people and Country to which they belong. The words and illustrations celebrate the students' deep relationship with the land and sea, revealing the places, animals and cultural practices that nourish, strengthen and inspire them all. These interconnected stories reveal that we, as a whole, are part of a greater narrative and therefore have an obligation to connect with and care for Mother Earth.

Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush Tomatoes)

A snapshot of daily Community life as three cousins head out in a red car, searching for a feed of juicy bush tomatoes. The illustrations for this book were produced in workshops with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, and children's author and publisher Jane Godwin.

bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr: The Boys Who Found Their Way

Students from Vincentia High School

Long, long ago, after the Dreaming, two Yuin boys go exploring on a bidhu (mountain) in search of food. They meet with animals of the bagan (land), barra barra (sea) and (mirriwarr) sky, who teach them about being on Country, connecting to the land and to each other. Written by two boys aged 12 and 13, The Boys Who Found Their Way incorporates words from the Dhurga language of the Yuin people of the south coast of NSW.

Where's My Minya Marlu?

Follow me and let's find my Minya Marlu!' Marlu (kangaroo) is looking for her minya marlu (little kangaroo/joey). Will garliya (emu), wardu (wombat), dyilga-marda (echidna) or any of the other animals be able to help her? The first book from a talented young Wirangu woman, created as a language resource for kids in her Community.

Ngirringirri Kirijinga Japalinga - Shining Little Star

Pirlingimpi FaFT

This book is based on the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It has been written in Tiwi by Pirlingimpi FaFT families and bubs. This book was made for families to share with bubs. We hope this book will help to support all Tiwi kids to keep their language, culture, family and Community strong.

The Moon Story

A perfect bedtime story, this stunningly illustrated book follows a family from Fitzroy Crossing as they go camping under the moon and stars.

NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language

Edited by William Forshaw

A rich and rare collection of favourite stories from nine different regions in the Northern Territory. Each are written in the language spoken in that region and they are a mix of traditional stories and stories that reflect life as it is lived in those communities today.

Stori bla brutbrut en bujigat

Written by Carol Robertson, Illustrated by Karen Rogers

This is a story about Mouse and Cat. Mouse eats insects, like grasshoppers. Cat eats small birds, lizards, snakes - and also mice. One night, Cat and Mouse are both very hungry and go out hunting for food and unexpectedly encounter each other. They both get a terrible fright, but what happens next? This book is written in Kriol and English.

No Way Yirrikipayi!

Students from Milikapiti School with Alison Lester

'You're going to love this funny Tiwi story with its beautiful illustrations' - Alison Lester. This is the story of a hungry crocodile that goes searching for food on Melville Island. Along the way he encounters both land and sea animals. Written in both Tiwi and English, this delightful, humorous book is beautifully illustrated and will appeal to all ages. It was written and developed in workshops led by Alison Lester.

Can You Dance?

Written by Sally Morgan, Illustrated by Kathy Arbon

Written by one of Australia’s best loved authors, Sally Morgan, this board book will get toddlers and preschoolers up off their feet following the actions of the animals featured in the book. They’ll soon be flapping their arms like a scary magpie’s wings, stomping their feet like a cheeky wombat and dancing like a silly lizard, along with the actions of five other animals. Beautifully illustrated by Kathy Arbon, this book will soon become a family favourite as everyone shows how they can dance!

Murli la

The Ngarukuruwala Women’s Group with Genevieve Campbell

A joint project with the Indigenous Literary Foundation, Murli la is a beautifully designed gift book that celebrates the culture of the Tiwi Islands through song. The songs presented in this book hold cultural, genealogical, geographical and spiritual knowledge that has been passed down through thousands of years of Tiwi storytelling, ceremony and in the songlines that circle the islands.

Country tells us when...

By Tsheena Cooper, Mary Dann, Dalisa Pigram-Ross and Sheree Ford

Some cultures around the world have four seasons that they look out for on a calendar; Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. Us Yawuru mob, we don't have four seasons that are told to us by a calendar. We have six seasons and Country tells us when they have arrived by what we feel, see, taste, smell and hear. Discover how the Yawuru people read the seasons in this beautifully illustrated book.

We Look, We Find

By Children and Families from Napranum Early Childhood Centre

"When walking on Country, what comes to your mind? If you spend some time looking, what will you find?" This story features Thaynakwith language words. Tissue paper, black ink, pastel and dye were used in the artistic process by Napranum women and children from the Napranum Early Childhood Centre in Queensland. The elements were collaged together under the direction of Roshni Senapati to create the final artwork.

Winthali

Adapted by Joe Willigan Ross and Stacey Bush, Illustrated by Remi Nyandat Ross and Boheme Baiana Ross

Winthali is a traditional Bunuba story, adapted here by Joe Ross and Stacey Bush. Greedy Old Man Crocodile (Lallanggarra) won’t share his fire with the Bunuba people, but Brown Falcon (Girrganyi), with the help of the young animals comes up with a clever plan to take a fire-stick from his home at Jarrambaya.

Shordi Creek

Students from Barunga School & Justine Clarke

At Shordi Krik, life is sweet. Join students from Barunga School on a trip to their local creek where they play and swim. Written in Kriol and English, everyone will be singing along with this joyful song and learning more about life in Barunga as they go! This book was written by students from Barunga School with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Justine Clarke, who is a regular visitor to Barunga. Barunga is a small Aboriginal community, located approximately 80 kilometres southeast of Katherine in the Northern Territory