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Storytelling for young readers

A First Nations panel discussion

  • ONLINE VIA ZOOM

First Nations children’s and YA literature plays a huge role in shaping the future of First Nations storytelling. As this year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Fifty Years of Deadly, it offers us the opportunity to look back at the publishing history of Indigenous Australian fiction for young readers, examine the current experiences of First Nations children’s and YA authors, and look ahead to how we can improve First Nations children’s publishing into the future.

Palyku author and illustrator Ambelin Kwaymullina, Nukunu author Jared Thomas, and Goorie author and poet Brooke Scobie will join Kate Adams, the ASA’s Professional Development and Events Manager, in conversation to explore:

  • Why they choose to write for children and young adults, and how they have built a career writing fiction for younger readers
  • The unique power that fiction has to convey First Nations identities, communities and lived experiences to young First Nations readers, and how their experiences of this have shaped their writing craft and approach
  • The changes they’ve observed in the way publishers respond to Indigenous Australian stories and the way these stories are promoted through schools, libraries and festivals
  • Their observations of the impact of introducing First Nations lives and culture through fiction on non-Indigenous readers
  • How they connect with young readers, families, and educators, how they’ve seen this change over time, and how they hope it will evolve in the future

There will be time for questions from the audience.

We are pleased to be able to offer free access to this event in celebration of NAIDOC Week. You can learn more about NAIDOC Week and how you can get involved here.

Who is this for?

  • First Nations authors and illustrators working in the children’s and YA genres seeking inspiration, guidance, and insight into their literary community
  • All authors and illustrators interested in learning more about the power and impact of First Nations storytelling for young readers

About the panellists

Ambelin Kwaymullina
Ambelin Kwaymullina
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Brooke Scobie
Brooke Scobie
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Jared Thomas
Jared Thomas
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Can't make it to the live session?

No problem! Everyone booked in to this event will be emailed a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards. This recording will be available to view for 10 days after the live session. This also means that if you wish to revisit the session after attending it live to take further notes, you can do so!

After 10 days, the link will expire and the recording will no longer be available to view.