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Diversity and Inclusion

Books that celebrate differences and promote inclusivity

26 books in this theme

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 Alexander's Outing
Alexander's Outing book cover

Alexander's Outing

by Pamela Allen

Ages 3-6 years

When Alexander the duckling strays from his family during their Sydney harbour outing, he tumbles into a deep hole and needs rescuing. It takes the simple action of a little boy sharing his drink to raise the water level and save the day.

Animals Australia Collaboration Problem Solving STEAM
View details for Alphabetical Sydney
Alphabetical Sydney book cover

Alphabetical Sydney

by Antonia Pesenti Illustrated by Hilary Bell

Ages 5-10 years

An alphabetical journey through Sydney, Australia's iconic harbor city. Each letter showcases famous landmarks, cultural sites, and unique features of Sydney, combining alphabet learning with geography and cultural education. A perfect introduction to one of the world's great cities through the lens of learning.

Australia Literacy
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 Busy Beaks
Busy Beaks - Sarah Allen book cover

Busy Beaks

by Sarah Allen

Ages 3-7 years

Spend a day with Australia's most vibrant and unique feathered friends. Full of splashing shorebirds, clattering cockatoos, parading penguins and greedy galahs, Busy Beaks is the perfect introduction to birds of all shapes and sizes. An engaging exploration of Australian wildlife that combines education with beautiful illustrations.

Animals Australia
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
Country book cover

Country

by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson Illustrated by Cheryl Davison

Ages 4-8 years

An exploration of what Country means for First Nations people through beautiful artwork and words. This book shares the deep connection between Indigenous Australians and the land, celebrating storytelling, song, and our shared responsibility to care for Country.

Australia Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Responsibility Self Identity
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 Extra Yarn
Extra Yarn book cover

Extra Yarn

by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ages 4-8 years

Annabelle finds a box of colourful yarn and begins knitting sweaters for everyone in her gray town. This magical story celebrates creativity, generosity, and how one person's actions can transform an entire community.

Empathy and Kindness Creativity Family and Community
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 Hunwick's Egg
Hunwick's Egg book cover

Hunwick's Egg

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 4-8 years

Hunwick the bandicoot finds an egg and dreams of the wonderful creature that will hatch from it. When the egg doesn't hatch as expected, Hunwick learns about disappointment, acceptance, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Friendship Emotions Animals Australia
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 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 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 Owl Babies
Owl Babies book cover

Owl Babies

by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Ages 2-6 years

Three owl babies wake up to find their mother gone and must comfort each other while waiting for her return. This gentle story addresses separation anxiety and provides reassurance about parental love and return.

Family and Community Emotions Resilience Courage and Bravery Animals
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 The Heart and the Bottle
The Heart and the Bottle book cover

The Heart and the Bottle

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 4-8 years

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her. Then one day something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that it seemed that the world was emptier than before. A gentle story about grief, healing, and rediscovering the wonder in life.

Emotions Family and Community Problem Solving
View details for The Tree
The Tree book cover

The Tree

by Graeme Base

Ages 5-10 years

Follow the life of a single tree from seed to ancient giant, witnessing the countless creatures that depend on it and the changes that occur around it over centuries. A beautiful meditation on time, growth, and environmental interconnectedness.

Environment and Sustainability Animals Collaboration Family and Community
View details for The Tree at Number 43
The Tree at Number 43 book cover

The Tree at Number 43

by Jess McGeachin

Ages 4-8 years

In a noisy, grey city, Sam and his Grandpa long for the deep, dark wonderful jungle. But when their dream comes true, can they find a way to protect it? A heartwarming tale about the power of dreams, environmental protection, and the special bond between generations.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community
View details for We're Going on a Bear Hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt book cover

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

by Michael Rosen Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Ages 2-7 years

A family goes on an exciting bear hunt, encountering various obstacles along the way. This interactive story with repetitive text and sound effects encourages participation and explores themes of adventure, courage, and family bonding.

Literacy Adventure and Exploration Family and Community Emotions Courage and Bravery
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