Black Cockatoo

Teacher Resource

Publisher's synopsis

Black Cockatoo is a vignette that follows Mia, a young Aboriginal girl as she explores the fragile connections of family and culture. Mia is a 13-year-old girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by the loss of her brother as he distances himself from the family. She feels powerless to change the things she sees around her, until one day she rescues her totem animal, the dirran black cockatoo, and soon discovers her own inner strength. A wonderful small tale on the power of standing up for yourself, culture and ever-present family ties.

Awards

FINALIST – 2019 Readings Children’s Book Prize

HONOUR – 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Younger Readers Book of the Year

SHORTLISTED – 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year

SHORTLISTED – 2019 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year – 8 to 10 Years

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Fog a Dox

Mrs Whitlam

Benny Bungarra’s Big Bush Clean-Up

Carl Merrison

Carl Merrison is a respected Jaru/Kija man from the Halls Creek area who came WA runner up Australian of the Year – Local Hero in 2016. He has worked for over ten years alongside Aboriginal youth as a mentor and coach. Carl was the winner of the black&write! Fellowship in 2020 for his young readers’ series Backyard Sports (coming in 2023). He was also shortlisted for the State Library Western Australia Writer’s Fellowship for his proposal, Kimberley Kickers series.

Photo courtesy of Hachette Australia

Hakea Hustler

Hakea Hustler is an experienced teacher who has taught around Australia, including in remote Aboriginal communities. Hakea is committed to Indigenous education with a focus on story as learning and empowerment.

Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler’s first book, Black Cockatoo (Magabala Books), won Honour book in the CBCA Young Reader category.

Photo courtesy of Hachette Australia