This warm and accessible title in the bestselling and award-winning Welcome to Our Country series invites children to feel the vastness of the Dreaming and its central place in the spirituality and lives of First Nations people. From Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, former journalist Ellie Laing and Barkindji illustrator David Hardy.
In my dreaming at night, I see pictures behind my eyes that take me far away.
Way way back in the beginning, Akurras slithered, carving rivers, in a Creation story from my Dreaming, my Muda.
Law men came down from the sky to teach us about our Country.
In my Muda, the Ancestors are never far, and I can see how I fit and who I am.
Told in a child's voice, Dreaming is a joyful and thought-provoking story in the bestselling and award-winning Welcome to Our Country series, and follows one young girl as she imagines what it might be like to be part of the Dreaming, past and present..
About the Authors
Adam Goodes is an Adnyamathanha and Narungga man and community leader. He is a former Australian Rules footballer, having achieved the greatest heights in the game, and was named Australian of the Year in 2014 for his public work in the fight against racism and his advocacy in First Nations affairs. Together with his cousin Michael O'Loughlin, Adam founded the GO Foundation, which supports and inspires the next generation of First Nations leaders. With a diploma in Aboriginal Studies and his own children at school and preschool, Adam was motivated to publish a series of books for young children and families about Australia's First Nations history.
Ellie Laing (nee Southwood) is a communications executive and former journalist, who lives on the lands of the Gammeraygal people on the northern beaches of Sydney with her husband and two sons. When Ellie's eldest son Harvey came home from preschool reciting Acknowledgements of Country and singing Aboriginal lullabies, she was inspired to collaborate with Adam Goodes on a series of books aimed at helping families with young children to talk about Australia's First Nations history. She has recently completed studies in Traditional Aboriginal Cultures.
About the Illustrator
David Hardy is a Barkindji man, author and artist with more than eight years of animation experience with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Married with two children, he is currently Art Director and Game Art Manager for Lightning Box Games. David has worked on twelve animated feature films, includingThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, The Lion King 3: Hakuna MatataandReturn to Never Land. His books for children include Alfie's Search for DestinyandAlfie's Big Wish, On the Way to Nana's(written by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali), The Proud Foots 1:Shaka Shaka Hawaii(written by Lucas Proudfoot) and Aussie Kids:Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo(written by Belinda Murrell).
Industry Reviews
Praise for Somebody's Land:
'A celebration of the ancient sovereignty of this country, an invitation to address the hurt in our history, and a conversation starter for anyone who's ever wondered what an Acknowledgement of Country really means.' The Big Issue
'This book should be in every school library so parents and teachers can read it to their children and begin an important discussion. It's a book with a serious purpose but still oozes happiness.' Good Reading
'The text is both engaging and hard-hitting with a distinctly poetical resonance ... Enchanting illustrations bring a reassuringly familiar Disneyesque charm to the book, while providing both humour and gravitas to the story. This is an important book to share with the young people in your life.' The Canberra Times
Praise for Ceremony:
'Every page in this book is full of happiness and fun.' Good Reading
Praise for Back on Country:
'A wonderful learning experience for kids and their families. A gift of knowledge and learning.' Kids' Book Review
Praise for Walk With Us:
'A vitally important story that makes learning about the history and culture of Aboriginal peoples not only highly engaging, but also accessible for younger readers (and adults too). It is a story that inspires readers to connect with Country through the lens of understanding its long and rich history.' Reading Opens Doors
'Adam and Ellie have crafted a narrative that is simple to understand, yet conveys deep meaning to even the youngest readers, while David's illustrations - as always - are full of expression and vibrancy. What an overall valuable addition to any library or home bookshelf! I highly recommend it, and the entire series, too and in my opinion, regard these as essential to any school collection in particular.' Just So Stories
