How all students benefit from book diversity
Classroom libraries should include diverse literature to provide students with a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and voices that reflect the world around them. A diverse library promotes inclusivity, helps students from different backgrounds feel seen and valued, and encourages empathy and understanding across cultures. It also allows students to engage with stories and viewpoints they may not encounter in their daily lives, broadening their worldview. For First Nations students, it’s particularly important to see their cultures and stories represented to foster a love of reading as well as pride in their identity and cultures.
The importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander books in the classroom
First Nations students deserve to see themselves represented in the books we share in the classroom, yet many Australian classroom bookshelves lack true cultural diversity. As teachers, we read to our students daily and provide books for them to read back to us, but most of these texts are written by non-Indigenous authors, featuring predominantly non-Indigenous characters. These characters will live in homes, communicate with each other and enjoy activities together that do not represent how all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families live, speak and spend time outside of school with their mob. This consistent portrayal of non-Indigenous ways of living only leads to First Nations students feeling out of place and unimportant, which can sadly lead to them disengaging with reading (and school).
There are plenty of First Nations children's picture books!
Now, this lack of representation is not due to a lack of culturally diverse literature available - definitely not! In fact, in recent years there has been a huge increase of First Nations books being published in Australia. Bronwyn Bancroft (a Bundjalung author and illustrator) has released several books about colours, patterns, numbers, letters, family, Country and much more. Sally Morgan, a proud descendant of the Palyku people from the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia, has also authored several books for all ages. Thomas Mayo, Victor Steffenson, Aunty Fay Muir, Corey Tutt and Kirli Saunders are some of my favourite new children's book authors too. Their books provide an insight into Aboriginal culture, traditions, beliefs, history, family life, and language, and highlight that there is also diversity among the different nations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples. Their books reflect traditional times, and also what it is like to live in Australia as an Aboriginal person in both urban and rural settings today. Sometimes their books, like Sally Morgan's 'Benny Bangarra's Big Bush Clean Up', are not necessarily about Aboriginal people but offer a unique perspective on important issues in Australia, such as caring for Country, through a First Nations lens.
Audit the books in your classroom
This is your reminder to audit the books in your classroom. Consider the following:
Are the books about First Nations peoples and cultures written by First Nations people?
How many First Nations books do I have in total? What is the percentage of First Nations books in my classroom library?
When were these First Nations books published? Are there more recent versions/editions?
Do I have fiction and non-fiction books that explore First Nations cultures and perspectives?
Do I have First Nations books that show diverse family structures?
Are First Nations characters represented in traditional and contemporary contexts, urban and remote settings, and with a variety of skin colours?
Purchase First Nations books from First Nations businesses
Create a wish list of the books you need to improve your classroom library and place a request for these books with your workplace. You can use the 'Recommendations' page of my website to see the children's books I recommend for Australian classrooms.
To further support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, I recommend purchasing First Nations books from businesses owned and lead by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. My top three online stores for books are Riley Callie Resources, Magabala Books (there is also a physical store in Broome) and Koori Curriculum.
#FirstNationsbooks #Aboriginalauthors #Aboriginalillustrators #TorresStraitIslanderbooks #bookrecommendations #newbooks #childrensbooks #diversebookshelf #buyblak #supportIndigenousbusinesses
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