NAIDOC WEEK - JUNE 26 - 30

Celebrate NAIDOC Week with Books!

One of the ways you can help celebrate NAIDOC week in your classroom is to read and explore the bounty of books with First Nation themes or by First Nation authors. Scroll below or search 'First Nations People' in our book activity collection to find some great titles.

What is NAIDOC Week?

During the 1938, celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival, more than 1000 Aboriginal people congregated at Australia Hall in Sydney. Their purpose was to demand full citizenship rights and transformative legislation to improve the lives of First Nations people. This gathering, recognised globally as one of the earliest civil rights assemblies, came to represent a Day of Mourning. Over time, it evolved into the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week—an annual observance that not only commemorates the Day of Mourning but also celebrates the remarkable history, culture, and achievements of First Nations people. Grab the 'Supporting NAIDOC' toolkit and learn more about NAIDOC week on the official website: https://www.naidoc.org.au

National NAIDOC Week takes place from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday and is a truely fabulous reminder for all Australians to unite in honouring and embracing the legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

FIRST NATION THEMED BOOK ACTIVITIES

Ninni Yabini Book Activities

Written in both Noongar and English this story for young children follows young Ninni Yabini who wanders off when her parents are both busy rebuilding their nest.

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Back On Country Book Activities

A joyful story about the power of reconnecting to family, culture and Country that introduces the idea of Country, moiety in First Nations Australian culture and Adnyamathanha words

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We Are Australians Book Activities

This 2023 CBCA Short Listed New Illustrator book is a simple story with a very strong message. A plea for all Australians to treasure our differences and use our voices to speak up together as Australian citizens.

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Australia From Dawn to Dusk Book Activities

This 2023 CBCA notable new illustrator book is a uniquely pastel coloured and beautifully illustrated story set across Australia.

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Our Mob Book Activities

This is an early childhood look at children from across Australia and how they say "Hello" or "Welcome" in their Country’s language.

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Charlie’s Swim Book Activities

This 2023 notable Eve Pownall Award book is a true story of wartime heroism off the coast of Broome in Western Australia.

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Summer Blue Book Activities

This 2023 CBCA notable picture book of the year is a beautifully illustrated story of 2 children who are wishing the rain would come so they can escape the stifling heat of the Australian summer.

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The River Book Activities

A CBCA notable picture book for 2022 this is a sensory journey of native Australian animals.

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The Bunyip and The Stars Book Activities

The first story from Biripi author Adam Duncan is Part Sky Country creation story and part exciting adventure tale.

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Thank You Rain! Book Activities

This 2023 CBCA notable early childhood book is the third collaboration for this pair and is yet another beautifully simple story of Country.

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Our Dreaming Book Activities

A beautiful bilingual story teaching young children that the Dreaming is not something from the past but something continuous happening now and into the future.

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Toby And The Misunderstood Crocodile Book Activities

This is a cautionary tale about why children should never talk to strangers or unusually chatty crocodiles. In the style of Roald Dahl, Toby and The Misunderstood Crocodile by learn From Play Co-Founder Paddy McCann is fun for reader or all ages who like a story with a twist and a snap in its tail.

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