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Carl Merrison Carl Merrison i(13859893 works by)
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Djaru / Jaru ; Aboriginal Kija
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Works By

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1 y separately published work icon Dirrarn Carl Merrison , Broome : Magabala Books , 2023 26219324 2023 single work children's fiction children's

'Mia could hear the squarks of her Jarriny before she saw them. Her eye’s had flicked to the sky in search of the passing dirrarn but soon realized the noise was from the bird just beyond the gate.

'We first met Mia in Black Cockatoo, as she navigated her way through culture, Country and familial ties. Dirrarn follows Mia as she finds herself at boarding school and the challenges of living thousands of kilometres away from home, family, and the big sky country she loves. Mia along with her best friend, Naya, negotiate new friends, new ways of thinking and new ways of being in a different world. As Mia wrestles with all that is unfamilar, she soon must learn to stand in her truth when confronted with unending challenges.

'The dirrarn (black cockatoo) is Mia’s totem animal. It provides her with the strength and freedom to stay connected to her world, even when she is a long way from home. It is this totem she draws upon. Dirrarn is a sensitive story on the power of place, personality and the honour of standing up for the truth.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Backyard Sports Carl Merrison , 2023 Sydney : Lothian , 2023- 25993626 2023 series - author picture book children's A black&write! fellowship-winning series of picture books by Carl Merrison, focusing on community sports. The first book, Backyard Footy, was published in 2023.
1 y separately published work icon Backyard Footy Carl Merrison , Samantha Campbell (illustrator), Sydney : Lothian , 2023 25993590 2023 single work picture book children's

'The first book in a joyful black&write!-winning picture book series that follows a cast of footy-crazy kids as they hop through the backyards of their neighbourhood in the Kimberley, collecting equipment and friends to play with as they go.

'Jy is playing football alone in his small backyard in the Kimberley, but when he accidentally kicks the ball over the fence, a footy adventure begins! Footy by yourself is fun but playing with mates is better.

'The first title in a joyful black&write! Fellowship-winning series, where the fun only grows with family and friends!' (Publication summary) 
1 y separately published work icon My Deadly Boots Carl Merrison , Hakea Hustler , Samantha Campbell (illustrator), Sydney : Lothian , 2022 24677476 2022 single work picture book children's

'Spikes on the bottom boots,

my favourite colour boots,

making me too deadly.

'Can the shoes on your feet really make you jump higher? Walk taller? Dream bigger?

'A joyous, empowering story about finding confidence within yourself, boots or no boots, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo.'  (Publication summary)
1 1 y separately published work icon Tracks of the Missing Carl Merrison , Hakea Hustler , Broome : Magabala Books , 2022 24417693 2022 single work novel young adult children's

'Deklan ‘Dek’ Archer and his mates arrive at school to a tense atmosphere. ‘Old Mate’, Mr Henry, who has lived in town for a long time, has been found murdered. He had been selling grog on the black market for years. To add to these worries, the Year 12s, who were on camp, are now missing. The police think there is a link between the missing students and the murder.

'Dek and his friends are torn. Dek and Willum, his best mate, have an important football match that evening – professional recruiters are in town. Neither wants to let their coach down but they feel they must search for their friends.

'Deklan’s grandfather, a renowned tracker with certain otherworld gifts turns up, and expects him to go bush. This choice will change Dek’s life and family forever.  
A journey that moves deep in to an ancient landscape uncovers secrets, and the past, which is never far away, continues to call them. 

'Both are tracking the truth but something is watching and hunting them.'  (Publication summary)
1 1 y separately published work icon Black Cockatoo Carl Merrison , Hakea Hustler , Broome : Magabala Books , 2018 13859973 2018 single work children's fiction children's

'Black Cockatoo is a vignette that follows Mia, a young Aboriginal girl as she explores the fragile connections of family and culture. Mia is a 13-year-old girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by the loss of her brother as he distances himself from the family. She feels powerless to change the things she sees around her, until one day she rescues her totem animal, the dirran black cockatoo, and soon discovers her own inner strength. A wonderful small tale on the power of standing up for yourself, culture and ever-present family ties.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.
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