Each Sharing Our Stories title focuses on one Indigenous Australian community. The opening of each book is built around a series of photographs describing the local community setting, and establishing the community in a particular place and time.
Following this is one story shared by that particular community, which conveys a message connected to the group's traditions or social conventions. The stories are illustrated with paintings and drawings by children from the local community. Using a mixture of traditional and modern-day influences, the artwork brings the stories to life through the children's personal interpretations. This is followed by quotes and photographic portraits of local children and elders. This provides a unique opportunity to meet the community that have shared their story, and to gain insight into what the story means to them. Each book concludes with the story retold in language.
Liz Thompson is an award-winning documentary film maker, radio presenter, writer and the co-creator of sharingstories.com.au. She has been involved in the creation and promotion of Indigenous literacy projects for over twenty years, and is passionately devoted to advancing shared understanding through education.
Suitable for middle to upper primary students
This unique series gives students the chance to study Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. This series aligns with the Australian Curriculum, and supports the crosscurriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Flexible enough to be embedded into a History or Geography lesson, the series can also be used for literacy in shared reading, comprehension and promotion of critical literacy skills.