Books for Teaching First Nations Australian Topics in Foundation Year HASS

The Australian Curriculum (ACARA) offers many opportunities to teach about First Nations Australian (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) topics. I always suggest you bring your local school Elder into your classroom as much as possible to talk to the students about local traditions, stories and places of significance locally.

However, Elders become very busy, especially around NAIDOC or Sorry Day. I suggest gathering a wide collection of picture books and stories from First Nations authors and illustrators to share with students.

Here is a list of books I recommend keeping on hand that ties in beautifully with the new Australian Curriculum 9.0 for HASS.

Mum’s Elephant by Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O’Keefe and illustrated by Christina Booth

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925936728

Topics: family, culture, connection to the land, how memories are kept

The Dunggiirr Brothers and the Caring Song of the Whale By Shaa Smith & Neeyan Smith

ISBN: 9781760526313

Topics: memories, connection to the land, storytelling, culture

Respect by Aunty Fay Muir

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925936315

Topics: culture, family

Alfie’s Big Wish by David Hardy

ISBN 9781922142535

Topics: friendship, growing up, connection to the land, culture

Silly Birds by Gregg Dreise

ISBN 9781922142993

Topics: connection to the land, culture

Baby Business by Jasmine Seymour

ISBN 9781925768671

Topics: Welcome to Country, connection to the land, culture, family

Finding Our Heart A Story about the Uluru Statement for Young Australians by Thomas Mayor

ISBN: 9781741177176

Topics: connection to the land, culture, places of Aboriginal significance

Welcome To Country Hardcover by Lisa Kennedy, Aunty Joy Murphy

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1922244871

Topics: connection to the land, culture, Welcome to Country

My Country Hardcover by Ezekiel Kwaymullina

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925816075

Topics: Connection to the land, Welcome to Country, culture

Ceremony: Welcome to Our Country by David Hardy, Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1761065064

Topics: Welcome to Country, culture and tradition