Bloods legend Adam Goodes has this week released the children’s book Somebody’s Land.
Goodes has teamed up with political advisor and former journalist Ellie Laing, and Barkindji illustrator David Hardy to create Somebody’s Land, the first book in a five book series designed to connect young children, parents and educators with First Nations history and culture.
The series will be an invaluable tool for children, parents and educators to start conversations and better understand Australia’s shared Indigenous history.
Goodes, who played 372 games for the Swans, said the book is a reflection of himself and his culture.
“Somebody’s Land begins the series by introducing readers to the term ‘terra nullius’, a Latin term meaning ‘nobody’s land’ – applied to the colonisation of Australia by white settler,” Goodes said.
“I’m incredibly hopeful. I choose to be positive, to help us heal as a nation,” Goodes said.
Goodes said the book invites children and their families to imagine themselves into Australia’s past.
“To feel the richness of our First Nations’ history, and to acknowledge that our country was never terra nullius,” Goodes said.
Goodes said he and co-author Ellie Laing saw an opportunity to create something they could be very proud of, a resource for parents and their younger children around Indigenous culture.
“As a new father, with my daughter now approaching the age where she will start school, I’m so proud to be publishing a series of books about Australia’s Indigenous history,” Goodes said.
Mother of two, former journalist and political advisor, Ellie Laing said that when her eldest son came home singing Indigenous lullabies and reciting an Acknowledgement of Country, she was so moved and wanted to continue the conversation with him, to learn more and to ask questions.
‘We would love this series to become a conversation starter for people young and old, to understand the importance of acknowledging Country, the truth about Australia’s history, and the rich culture of the traditional custodians of the land we live in,” Laing said.
Click here to purchase your copy of Somebody’s Land through publisher Allen and Unwin.
