Looking for Aboriginal picture books to add to your classroom, early learning service or home library?
First Nations picture books can give children opportunities to learn about Country, culture, language, family, identity and the diversity of Aboriginal communities across Australia.
At Riley Callie Resources, we believe these stories belong on children's bookshelves throughout the year — not just during NAIDOC Week or National Reconciliation Week.
Here are 10 Aboriginal picture books currently available in our collection to get you started.
1. My Walk Through the Seasons on Ngaanyatjarra Country
Written by Ngaanyatjarra Elder Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward, this beautiful bilingual picture book invites children to discover the changing seasons, plants, animals, skies and landscapes of Ngaanyatjarra Country.
Written in English and Ngaanyatjarra, it is a wonderful choice for educators exploring seasons, Country, language and First Nations environmental knowledge.
Great for: Country, seasons, language, nature and environmental learning.
2. Belonging
Written and illustrated by Palyku creator Ambelin Kwaymullina, Belonging explores Country, connection, identity and what it means to belong.
Through poetic language and beautiful imagery, children are encouraged to think about the relationships between people, land, water, sky, stories and culture.
Great for: identity, belonging, Country and connection.
3. Wanyjika-warla – Finding Your Way on Gurindji Country
Take children on a journey through Gurindji Country with Wanyjika-warla – Finding Your Way on Gurindji Country.
This book provides a valuable opportunity to explore knowledge grounded in a particular Country and community. It can also lead into discussions about landscapes, direction, Country and the different ways we understand and navigate place.
Great for: Country, culture, place and First Nations knowledge.
4. What I See on Walmajarri Country
What I See on Walmajarri Country is a lovely choice for younger children and early learning environments.
The book encourages children to observe Country and notice the world around them.
Extend the story by heading outside with children and asking: What can we see on the Country where we live and learn?
Great for: early childhood, Country, observation, nature and place-based learning.
5. Walk With Us: Welcome to Our Country
From the popular Welcome to Our Country series, Walk With Us invites children to think about the First Nations Country where they live.
Created by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, with illustrations by David Hardy, the story provides an accessible starting point for conversations about Country, culture and connection.
Great for: Country, culture, connection and classroom discussion.
6. Listen
Listen encourages children to reflect on the importance of listening and truth-telling while exploring connections with Ancestors, culture and Country.
Written by Duncan Smith OAM and Nicole Godwin and illustrated by Jandamarra Cadd, this is a beautiful book for encouraging deeper classroom conversations.
Great for: truth-telling, Country, culture, listening and reflection.
7. Tiwi Girl Hunters
Tiwi Girl Hunters gives young readers an opportunity to encounter a story grounded in Tiwi community and culture.
Educators can extend the reading by locating the Tiwi Islands and exploring the enormous diversity of landscapes, Countries, languages and communities across Australia.
Great for: Tiwi culture, Country, community and younger readers.
8. The Sugarbag
The Sugarbag follows a search for native honey, making it a wonderful book for connecting storytelling with learning about the natural environment and Country.
Extend the story by investigating native bees, bush foods or the plants and animals children encounter around their own learning environment.
Great for: bush foods, native bees, nature, science and Country.
9. The Trees
Written by Victor Steffensen, The Trees provides a beautiful opportunity to explore Country, the natural environment and First Nations knowledge.
Take the learning beyond the book by heading outdoors to observe the trees around your school or early learning service, investigate native species or learn about locally significant plants with appropriate community guidance.
Great for: Country, nature, sustainability and outdoor learning.
10. The Land Recalls You
The Land Recalls You is a beautiful addition to a classroom collection exploring Country, identity, connection and belonging.
It can encourage children to think more deeply about their relationships with place and provides opportunities for educators to discuss the importance of Country within First Nations cultures.
Great for: Country, identity, connection and belonging.
Why Aboriginal Picture Books Belong in the Classroom All Year
Aboriginal picture books shouldn't be something we pull from the bookshelf only when NAIDOC Week arrives.
Include them in everyday story time. Connect a story about Country with science or sustainability. Explore language during literacy. Use books about bush foods when investigating plants. Read stories from different Countries and locate those places on a map.
Most importantly, build a collection representing different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, illustrators, Countries, communities and experiences.
There isn't one First Nations story.
The more diverse our bookshelves become, the more opportunities children have to understand the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Find More Aboriginal Picture Books
These ten books are just the beginning.
At Riley Callie Resources, we bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's books for early learning services, schools, educators and families across Australia.
Whether you're building a classroom library, looking for books about Country and culture or searching for authentic First Nations stories to share with children, there are plenty more to discover.
Explore our full collection of Aboriginal picture books and First Nations children's books