Black Cockatoo

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.

"A delicate balance is maintained between presenting Indigenous culture in a way which inspires admiration and presenting the challenges faced in communities."
– Judges comments, CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers 

• Honour Book, 2019 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, Younger Readers
• Finalist, 2019 Readings Children's Book Prize
• Shortlisted, 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards, Small Publisher's Children's Book of the Year
• Shortlisted, 2019 Queensland Literary Awards, Griffith University   Children's Book Award
• Shortlisted, 2019 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, 8 to 10 Years

Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler
Published August 2018
Paperback
64 pages 
198mm x 128mm
ISBN 9781925360707