Seven books published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation have been selected for the inaugural IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is proud to announce that seven of its Community publishing books have been selected for a prestigious new international collection celebrating outstanding children’s books that preserve, strengthen and promote Indigenous and endangered languages.
The IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages is a joint initiative of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) and UNESCO, developed as part of global efforts to protect linguistic diversity and strengthen the status of Indigenous and endangered languages.
Following a worldwide call for submissions from publishers, librarians and institutions, an international selection committee comprising IBBY and UNESCO representatives and experts in children’s and young adult literature selected titles for the inaugural Collection.
The Collection was officially presented on 6 August, at the opening of the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa, Canada.
The seven ILF published titles selected are:
Ngirringirri Kirijinga Japalinga (Shining Little Star) – created by Pirlangimpi, Tiwi Islands, FaFT families and bubs. The book celebrates Tiwi language, family, culture and Community. “We hope this book will help to support all Tiwi kids to keep their language, culture, family and Community strong,” say the creators.
NT Mob Sharing Stories in Language – a collection of nine stories from nine regions across the Northern Territory, featuring Communities including Wadeye, Gunbalanya, Galiwin’ku, Groote Eylandt, Numbulwar, Binjari, Tennant Creek, Mparntwe and Yuendumu. Languages featured include Arrernte, English, Anindilyakwa, Warlpiri, Murrinhpatha, Kunwinjku, Djambarrpuyŋu, Wubuy and Kriol.
Winthali (Fire) – a traditional Bunuba story adapted into a picture book by Joe Willigan Ross and Stacey Bush, with illustrations by Remi Nyandat Ross and Boheme Baiana Ross.
Kala (Colour) – created by Bunbury Elders from Birdiya Waangkiny Elders Group, Kala is a language resource introducing readers to Noongar words for different colours.
Ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul (We belong to the land, we belong to the sea) – a poetry collection created by students from Vincentia High School in NSW with Kirli Saunders and Jaz Corr. Featuring Dhurga language and illustrations, the collection celebrates the students’ deep connections to Country.
Buga Yanu Junba – from the heart of the Kimberley in far north-west Australia, this collection of original songs features Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri, Kimberley Kriol and English. Created for young children and their families, the songs, stories and illustrations reflect the rhythms of daily life, language and culture in the Kimberley.
Country Tells Us When… by Tsheena Cooper, Mary Dann, Dalisa Pigram-Ross and Sheree Ford. This picture book introduces young readers to the seasons of Yawuru Country in and around Rubibi (Broome), Western Australia.
The ILF is also delighted to celebrate the selection of Tiwi Girl Hunters, published by Hachette Australia. The book was created by students from Tiwi College through the ILF’s Create initiative, which gives young First Nations people hands-on experience in writing, illustrating, editing and publishing a book.
ILF CEO Ben Bowen said: "We are honoured to have been part of the inaugural collection, the first of its kind in the world, recognising 'remarkable books' in Indigenous and endangered languages from around the world.
“To have ILF titles included in this collection fills me with pride, knowing the acknowledgement and recognition it gives to the incredible work being done by Indigenous Communities across Australia to bring their prized storytelling and Languages into the global space.
“This collection, launched during the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages, is a celebration and acknowledgement of the work of everyday Communities breathing life into their Languages. These remarkable books ensure that future generations have access to the words, stories and cultures of their grandparents, great-grandparents and generations before them.
“A collection like this can only continue to grow each year, and these books send a powerful message to young First Nations children around the world: you belong here. Your world is worth knowing. Your Language is worth learning."
Three team members from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation – Ben Bowen (CEO), Tictac Moore (Head of Programs) and Cindy Manfong (Publishing Projects Editor) – are in attendance at the IBBY World Congress to represent the Foundation and celebrate this incredible collection of books from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities for the important recognition of their work.
Books selected for the IBBY-UNESCO Collection will feature in its official catalogue and be exhibited at the 40th IBBY World Congress before travelling to international book fairs and exhibitions. The permanent Collection will ultimately be housed at the UNESCO Library at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The initiative forms part of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), which seeks to draw global attention to the critical importance of preserving, revitalising and promoting Indigenous languages.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. The ILF are deeply grateful to Creative Australia for their support to ensure the ILF can support Indigenous storytelling and bilingual books reach the world stage.
Books featured in the IBBY–UNESCO Collection are also available through the ILF online shop and all good bookstores. Visit ilf.org.au to find out more
About us:
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. They are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books,resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice. In 2024 the ILF won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s or young adult literature.
Contact details:
Media Contact: Tammy Collins ILF Head of Marketing M: 0419 495 676
