Black Cockatoo
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Black Cockatoo
Honour Book – 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA) Younger Readers Book of the Year
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.
About the Authors
Carl Merrison is a Jaru man from Halls Creek. Carl works with young Indigenous boys through the Clontarf Academy focusing in improving engagement with education and providing a positive role model. Carl was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2016.
Hakea Hustler was a high school English teacher at Halls Creek District High School. Hakea, a co-author and non-Indigenous collaborator on Black Cockatoo, is committed to Indigenous education with a particular focus on school engagement, English language and story as learning, understanding and empowerment.
