skip to content

Children develop knowledgeable, confident self-identities and a positive sense of self-worth

37 books for this outcome

View details for 12 Days of Bush Christmas
12 Days of Bush Christmas book cover

12 Days of Bush Christmas

by Emma Bamblett, Megan Van Den Berg

Ages 3-8 years

The classic Christmas carol gets a beautiful Koorie makeover as kookaburras laugh in gum trees and coolamons replace turtle doves. This festive adaptation celebrates Indigenous Australian culture and brings Aboriginal perspectives to the festive season.

Australia Cultural Diversity Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators
View details for A Pair of Pears and an Orange
A Pair of Pears and an Orange book cover

A Pair of Pears and an Orange

by Anna McGregor

Ages 3-6 years

When a pair of pears are joined by an orange, they worry there isn't room for everyone. A gentle story about friendship dynamics and the joy of including others.

Emotions Friendship Problem Solving
View details for Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist, Scientist book cover

Ada Twist, Scientist

by Andrea Beaty Illustrated by David Roberts

Ages 5-8 years

Ada has a boundless imagination and an insatiable curiosity about everything around her. When her experiments don't go as planned, she learns that questions are more important than answers. An inspiring story that encourages scientific thinking and celebrates the joy of discovery.

STEAM Problem Solving Persistence Courage and Bravery Creativity Growth Mindset
View details for Belonging
Belonging book cover

Belonging

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 6-12 years

A wordless story about Tracy, who feels like an outsider in her neighborhood until she and her neighbors work together to transform their urban street into a vibrant community garden. A beautiful story about belonging and positive change.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community
View details for Colours of Australia
Colours of Australia book cover

Colours of Australia

by Bronwyn Bancroft

Ages 3-8 years

An exploration of the vibrant colors found in Australian landscapes, wildlife, and culture. This book celebrates the rich visual heritage of Australia while teaching about colors and cultural appreciation.

Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Australia Creativity
View details for Country Tells Us When...
Country Tells Us When book cover

Country Tells Us When...

by Dalisa Pigram-Ross, Mary Dann, Sheree Ford, Tsheena Cooper

Ages 5-8 years

The Yawuru people don't follow four seasons—they listen to Country's voice through six seasons told by sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. A celebration of Indigenous knowledge and the deep connection between people and place.

Australia Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators
View details for Here We Are
Here We Are book cover

Here We Are

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-8 years

A father's letter to his newborn child, sharing gentle wisdom about life on Earth. A beautifully illustrated guide that teaches children about kindness, curiosity, and caring for our planet and each other.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community Empathy and Kindness Adventure and Exploration Growth Mindset Self Identity
View details for Home
Home book cover

Home

by Carson Ellis

Ages 2-6 years

A beautifully illustrated exploration of what home means to different creatures and people around the world, celebrating the diversity of homes and families.

Family and Community Animals Self Identity
View details for I Am One - A Book of Action
I Am One - A Book of Action book cover

I Am One - A Book of Action

by Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Ages 4-8 years

When a small child wonders how they can make a difference in such a big world, a wise bird shares the secret of starting with just one—one seed, one step, one stroke of paint, one note. A reminder that even the smallest among us can create meaningful change.

Family and Community Growth Mindset Responsibility Self Identity
View details for I'm Australian Too!
I'm Australian Too! book cover

I'm Australian Too!

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh

Ages 4-8 years

A celebration of multicultural Australia, showing that no matter where you come from, you can belong and contribute to your new home country.

Australia Cultural Diversity Family and Community Self Identity
View details for Jungle Drums
Jungle Drums book cover

Jungle Drums

by Graeme Base

Ages 4-8 years

Ngiri the warthog feels different from the other animals and wishes he could be like them. When he discovers his own special talent for drumming, he learns to appreciate his unique qualities and brings the jungle together through music. A heartwarming story about self-acceptance, celebrating differences, and the unifying power of music.

Friendship Self Identity Creativity Animals
View details for Koala Lou
Koala Lou book cover

Koala Lou

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 3-8 years

Koala Lou loves hearing her mother say 'Koala Lou, I DO love you!' but as her family grows, she hears it less often. She enters the Bush Olympics hoping to win her mother's attention back, learning that love doesn't need to be earned. A touching story about family bonds and the reassuring truth of unconditional parental love.

Animals Australia Family and Community Emotions
View details for Mirror
Mirror book cover

Mirror

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 5-10 years

Two families, one in Australia and one in Morocco, go about their daily lives in this wordless book that can be read from both directions. A beautiful exploration of cultural similarities and differences through stunning collage illustrations.

Cultural Diversity Australia Family and Community
View details for Mr Tiger Goes Wild
Mr Tiger Goes Wild book cover

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

by Peter Brown

Ages 3-7 years

Mr Tiger is tired of being proper and polite, so he decides to go wild! A story about being true to yourself and finding the balance between fitting in and being authentic.

Animals Self Identity Growth Mindset
View details for My Country
My Country book cover

My Country

by Dorothea Mackellar Illustrated by Andrew McLean

Ages 6-12 years

Dorothea Mackellar's beloved poem 'My Country' brought to life with beautiful illustrations. This classic Australian poem celebrates the unique landscape, weather, and character of the Australian continent.

Australia Literacy Environment and Sustainability
View details for Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley
Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley book cover

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 3-7 years

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley are the best of friends, but they are different in almost every way. A delightful story about how opposites attract and true friendship celebrates our differences.

Friendship Self Identity Collaboration
View details for Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas
Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas book cover

Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-8 years

Brian the piranha is tired of eating fish and wants to try bananas, but all the other piranhas think this is ridiculous. This humourous story challenges stereotypes and celebrates being different and following your own preferences.

Animals Self Identity
View details for Possum Magic
Possum Magic book cover

Possum Magic

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Julie Vivas

Ages 3-8 years

Grandma Poss makes little Hush invisible to protect her from predators, but when Hush wants to see herself again, they must travel across Australia eating special foods to reverse the magic. A beloved Australian classic celebrating family bonds and cultural foods.

Australia Animals Adventure and Exploration
View details for Rosie Revere, Engineer
Rosie Revere, Engineer book cover

Rosie Revere, Engineer

by Andrea Beaty Illustrated by David Roberts

Ages 5-8 years

Rosie dreams of becoming an engineer and learns that the best way to figure out what you can do is through trial and error, persistence, and learning from failure. An inspiring story about following your dreams, embracing failure as learning, and the importance of perseverance in achieving your goals.

STEAM Problem Solving Persistence Courage and Bravery Creativity Growth Mindset
View details for Square
Square book cover

Square

by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-7 years

Square works every day to push blocks out of a cave, but when his friend Circle declares him an artist, Square tries to create a sculpture. A simple story about art, friendship, and self-discovery through creative expression.

Numeracy Friendship Creativity
View details for Stanley Paste
Stanley Paste book cover

Stanley Paste

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-7 years

Stanley Paste is small. Really small. And he hates it. But when a new girl arrives at school, Stanley learns that perhaps being small is not so bad after all. A touching story about self-acceptance and discovering that our perceived weaknesses can actually be strengths.

Self Identity Friendship Empathy and Kindness
View details for Sunday Chutney
Sunday Chutney book cover

Sunday Chutney

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-7 years

Sunday Chutney has the most extraordinary life – she has lived all over the world! Of course, moving around does mean she's always the new kid at school and never really has a place to call home. But Sunday Chutney doesn't care about that. Or does she? A poignant exploration of belonging, identity, and the universal need for home and connection.

Self Identity
View details for The Dot
The Dot book cover

The Dot

by Peter H. Reynolds

Ages 4-8 years

When Vashti says she can't draw, her teacher encourages her to just make a mark and see where it takes her. A powerful story about the courage to begin and the transformative power of believing in yourself.

Growth Mindset Creativity Self Identity Persistence
View details for Thelma the Unicorn
Thelma the Unicorn book cover

Thelma the Unicorn

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 3-7 years

Thelma the pony wishes she was a unicorn, and when her wish comes true, she learns that being yourself is more important than being famous. A delightful story about authenticity, friendship, and learning that true happiness comes from being comfortable with who you are.

Friendship Self Identity
View details for When I'm Feeling Angry
When I'm Feeling Angry book cover

When I'm Feeling Angry

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and manage anger in healthy ways. It validates angry feelings while teaching appropriate expression and coping strategies that maintain relationships and promote emotional regulation.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Disappointed
When I'm Feeling Disappointed book cover

When I'm Feeling Disappointed

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with disappointment when things don't go as planned. It validates these difficult feelings while teaching healthy ways to bounce back and find new opportunities.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Happy
When I'm Feeling Happy book cover

When I'm Feeling Happy

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book celebrates the wonderful feeling of happiness and helps children recognise what brings them joy. It explores different types of happiness and encourages children to appreciate and share positive emotions with others.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Jealous
When I'm Feeling Jealous book cover

When I'm Feeling Jealous

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with jealousy. Through gentle text and expressive illustrations, it validates the emotion while providing healthy strategies for managing jealous feelings.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Kind
When I'm Feeling Kind book cover

When I'm Feeling Kind

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book celebrates the wonderful feeling of kindness and helps children understand how acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver. It encourages empathy, compassion, and the joy that comes from helping others.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Lonely
When I'm Feeling Lonely book cover

When I'm Feeling Lonely

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with feelings of loneliness. It validates these difficult emotions while providing strategies for building connections, making friends, and finding ways to feel less alone.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Loved
When I'm Feeling Loved book cover

When I'm Feeling Loved

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book explores the wonderful feeling of being loved and helps children recognise the many ways love is expressed in their lives. It celebrates family bonds, friendships, and the security that comes from feeling valued and cared for.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Nervous
When I'm Feeling Nervous book cover

When I'm Feeling Nervous

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with nervous feelings before new experiences or challenges. It validates these emotions while providing practical strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Sad
When I'm Feeling Sad book cover

When I'm Feeling Sad

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with sadness in healthy ways. It validates sad feelings while providing comfort strategies and showing that sadness is temporary and part of the normal range of human emotions.

Emotions
View details for When I'm Feeling Scared
When I'm Feeling Scared book cover

When I'm Feeling Scared

by Trace Moroney

Ages 3-8 years

This book helps children understand and cope with fear and scary feelings. It validates that being scared is normal while providing practical strategies for managing fear and building courage in age-appropriate ways.

Emotions
View details for Where the Forest Meets the Sea
Where the Forest Meets the Sea book cover

Where the Forest Meets the Sea

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 5-10 years

A boy explores an ancient rainforest and imagines the animals that once lived there and the changes that might come in the future. A breathtaking exploration of our connection to nature and the importance of protecting ancient ecosystems.

Environment and Sustainability Australia Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Animals
View details for Whoever You Are
Whoever You Are book cover

Whoever You Are

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Leslie Staub

Ages 3-7 years

A celebration of human diversity that shows children around the world may look different and live differently, but inside we all share the same feelings and dreams. A powerful message about unity in diversity and our shared human experience across all cultures and communities.

Cultural Diversity Self Identity Family and Community
View details for Why I Love Australia
Why I Love Australia book cover

Why I Love Australia

by Bronwyn Bancroft

Ages 4-8 years

A stunning visual journey across Australia, from dramatic gorges to snowy mountains, from bustling cities to peaceful rainforests. This book captures the beauty and diversity of Country through vibrant artwork and poetic words.

Australia Creativity Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Self Identity