Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Yirrkala Bark Petitions

    The Yirrkala Bark Petitions are a series of petitions from the Yolngu people to the Commonwealth government. They are seen as the first documents that joined Indigenous Lore with Commonwealth Law as the petitions are the first traditional documents to have been recognised by the Commonwealth Parliament. The Yolngu people are the people of Yirrkala…

  • Finding Our Heart: a story about the Uluru Statement for Young People – Thomas Mayo[r]. Illustrated by Blak Douglas.

    Hardie Grant Australia June 2020 ISBN: 9781741177176 Imprint: Hardie Grant Explore RRP: $26.99 Four years after its release, and as I’ve just created a presentation for YABBA’s virtual author’s program on Thomas Mayo, it seems like a great time to include this one in this year’s NAIDOC collation. Thomas wrote his first book, Finding the…

  • NAIDOC 2024 Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!

    Gaywambana! Welcome to 2024 NAIDOC @ Just So Stories. As well as this curation of resources, a week of reviews of new First Nations titles and Q&As is ahead. Do make sure to check what’s happening in your local area. The Kid and I are all set to go to her local ATSICHS clinic’s special…

  • How to Measure the Ocean – Inda Ahmad Zahri

    Allen & Unwin April 2024 ISBN: 9781761180361 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $24.99 It’s always a pleasure to review a book from one of our talented local authors, and most definitely Inda Ahmad Zahri has made a big splash [sorry, not sorry 😂] in the Brisbane kids lit community. Most of…

  • Evaluating and selecting appropriate resources for educators sharing First Nations learning and culture

    A great resource to consider as you head into NAIDOC in your classrooms. The Guide to evaluating and selecting education resources assists non-Indigenous educators, and others to critically self-reflect on history and the effects that this has on pedagogical practises today. It allows teachers to ensure curriculum resources selected for teaching do not cause harm…

  • Something Special – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins Australia July 2024 Forty years ago, Emily Rodda’s first book was published by Allen & Unwin, and subsequentlywon the CBCA Younger Readers Award in 1985. Following that auspicious beginning, Emily has continued to delight and engage readers over her remarkable four decade long career, and to mark this occasion, Harper Collins has released…

  • Allen & Unwin NAIDOC share

    With NAIDOC week soon to be celebrated around the country, we’ve put together some suggested reading from our First Nations authors. This year’s theme Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, inviting us all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. [I’ve…

  • Ming & Ada Spark the Digital Age – Jackie French

    Harper Collins Australia June 2024 What a pleasure it was to read the fourth in this wonderful series early this year, and to, once again, be privileged to create the teaching notes to support Jackie’s work. With her customary diligence, she has dug deep into research to deliver to readers a more personal and engaging…

  • Didge Ya Know?

    Celebrate the strength, culture, and achievements of our mob! This NAIDOC, we honor the theme “Keep the Fire Burning. Blak, Loud & Proud.” “Keep the Fire Burning” is about our resilience, our spirit, and keeping our cultures, traditions, and knowledge alive and strong. “Blak, Loud & Proud” means standing tall in who we are, speaking…

  • Yarrabil: First Nations Songs

    Get your kiddos singing along with this great resource from ABC Education