Wednesday 2nd September 2020 is Indigenous Literacy Day, and on this day the Indigenous Literacy Foundation are holding two special digital events: the first event will be at 12:30pm (AEST) today, you can view the premiere on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation YouTube channel. At 2pm (AEST) there will be a second special event held in conjunction with the Sydney Opera House. This free digital event is aimed at primary and early learners, ages 3-11, you can register to watch this event here.
Reading Time would like to commemorate Indigenous Literacy Day with a roundup of some of the wonderful reviews of Indigenous literature featured on our site in 2020.
Respect by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson (text) and Lisa Kennedy (illustrator) published by Magabala Books. Review written by Liz Patterson. Read Liz’s full review on Reading Time.
‘The message — that we need to listen, learn and share — is timeless and relevant to homes and schools alike. I think I will read this book on the first day of school to every class I teach from now on. I’ve long forgone creating lists of rules at the start of the year. I prefer to just ask students to agree to adhere to the values of respect for themselves, each other, and the environment — values that are echoed perfectly in the final sentence of this book: We respect Country, each other, me. ’
Found by Bruce Pascoe (text) and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis (illustrator) published by Magabala Books. Review written by Kevin Brophy. Read Kevin’s full review on Reading Time.
‘Magabala Books continue to perform a needed and laudable service to Indigenous writers and illustrators with this latest addition to their impressive catalogue. Found is a story of family and belonging. Each double page spread is a gorgeous ink and pen washed colour illustration featuring the countryside and animals of the far north of Australia. Charmaine Ledden-Lewis has been awarded the Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award for her work on this book, and the award is well deserved.’
Rocky and Louie by Phillip Walleystack & Raewyn Caisley (text) and Dub Leffler (illustrator) published by Puffin Books. Review written by Madeleine Crofts. Read Madeleine’s full review on Reading Time.
‘Raewyn Caisley and Phil Walleystack have collaborated with illustrator Dub Leffler to produce a gentle, warm story of brotherly love. As readers we are not only presented with the brothers’ relationship but also with a portrait of Aboriginal connection to Country and their expression of culture. We learn about fire management, creating boomerangs, and hunting practices. ‘
Below is a selection of reviews of a variety of Indigenous literature reviewed on Reading Time in 2020:
- Family by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson (text) and Jasmine Seymour (illustrator), published by Magabala Books
- What Do You Call A Baby? by Kamsani Bin Salleh, published by Magabala Books
- Backyard Birds by Helen Milroy, published by Fremantle Press
- Strangers On Country by Dave Hartley and Kirsty Murray (text) and Dub Leffler (illustrator), published by NLA Publishing
- Counting Our Country by Jill Daniels, published by Magabala Books
- Mum’s Elephant by Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O’Keefe (text) and Christina Booth (illustrator), published by Magabala Books
- Willy-willy Wagtail: Tales from the Bush Mob by Helen Milroy, published by Magabala Books
Visit the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website for more information about the vital work they do to support Indigenous literature and for information about how you can help support their vision.
