AustLit

'An astounding work of significance for sharing with kids and adults about Indigenous art from super star Kamilaroi author Gregg Dreise.

'Let's turn this recycled paper into something from our heart. Come on - give it a try.
As we use a stick to paint the first dot in the middle, we say thank you, Father Sky.

'Join Kamilaroi creator Gregg Dreise and explore his Cultural tradition of painting Gabayindah Guroos. With ochre from Mother Earth, two young girls are guided by Uncle to paint each layer of the Thank You Circles as a celebration of the different elements of our world. When the dots are placed together, they form astonishing circles of life.' (Publication summary)

'This is the first book in the new 'Scales and Tails' series by award-winning children’s book author Gregg Dreise and the first in a new square format. Told with heart and humour, Super Snake will be a family favourite. 

'A charming morality tale, this book tells the tale of the Rainbow Serpent and the creation of the Darling/Barka River. 

'In the Dreamtime, the bush was in the middle of a drought. A storm came and Mundegutta Gooriya the Super Snake was created. 

'Way back, before Once-upon-a-time there was the Dreamtime and the bush was in the middle of a drought.

'After a storm, one large rainbow curved down. The Super Snake slithered down that rainbow on to the earth and promised the Elders he could help them find water. That Super Snake called out, ‘You can’t have a rainbow without water.

'‘Dhurraluwi guuma-li — Come together! Wantima — Rise up! Woorri — Share.’ ' 

Like many, Gregg read The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey in primary school. He has always wanted to make a Rainbow Serpent book from his own Culture to highlight to people the diverse Countries and Cultures across Australia. Although people around the world may think of Aboriginal people as all being the same, there are hundreds of Countries on this continent. (Publication summary)

'Inspired by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, written by NRL star Alex Johnston and illustrated by celebrated First Nations artist Gregg Dreise, this rhyming picture book about an underdog team of bunnies who are up against the stronger teams of animals is a wonderful story of unity, togetherness, resilience and teamwork.

'A fluffle of Bunnies play at the park.

They sprint and they tackle from dawn until dark,

They always train hard, but it's never enough . . .

the other teams are just bigger and stronger. It's tough!

'Join AJ and his teammates, Cody and Latrell, and the Bunnies on their triumphant footy journey from being the competition underdogs to unlikely winners, with a little help from some friends - especially a wise and confident Crow!' (Publication summary)

'Where’s my baby? by Gregg Dreise is a board book that encourages young readers to learn new adjectives in English and the names of iconic Australian animals in the First Nations language, Gamilaraay, in an enjoyable way.

'Filled with adorable and distinct illustrations from the creator of Kookoo Kookaburra (2015), Cunning Crow (2019) and Awesome Emu (2021), this story is a great book for beginners.'  (Publication summary)

(Publication summary)

'Way back, before Once-upon-a-time time, there was the Dreamtime, and during this period lived a very confident emu called Dinewah. He was tall, fast and colourful. Most animals thought he was a show-off, but he was too busy talking about himself to take any notice…

'Dinewah was determined to run and fly the furthest and the fastest. He even tried to fly to the Sun, but he never made it.

'Today, he is still up there in Father Sky. If you look carefully on dark nights, when the Moon isn’t very bright, you can see the Awesome Emu. Many people know him as the Milky Way. We still know it as Djiraboo Dinewah – Awesome Emu.

'This is the fourth book in Gregg Dreise’s award-winning children’s picture book series that includes Silly Birds and Kookoo Kookaburra. Filled with his well-loved colourful paintings and told with heart and humour, Awesome Emu will be a family favourite.' (Publication summary)

'All that I'm wishing,
Is that you take a moment to listen...

'A slam poetry persuasive and powerful vision of unity from award-winning First Nations creator Gregg Dreise. Passionate, yet peaceful, Common Wealth is a compelling plea for a future of truth, togetherness and respect for our nation's deep history.' (Publication summary)

'Way back, before once-upon-a-time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white. One of those white birds was a crow called Waan. One day a big storm came through and a magnificent rainbow appeared. When the birds passed through the rainbow, one by one, their feathers took on its beautiful colours. Waan flew through the rainbow too and his feathers became a beautiful red and orange. But Waan was jealous of the other birds. He wanted to be more beautifully coloured than anyone. So Waan hatched a cunning plan. But things did not go the way Waan wanted...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Teeny Weeny Yikiyikini has lost his family. He searches everywhere and asks every bird he meets if they’ve seen them, but they’re no help. Occasionally he hears a familiar squawk, but the birds that make that sound don’t look like him. And then a rainstorm comes...' (Publication summary)

'Feel the rhythm of the music, from your heart down to your feet.
Enjoy the movements of melodies, as clapsticks keep a strong beat.

'This is my culture. This is me.

'Beautifully written and illustrated, My Culture and Me is a heartfelt and stirring story of cherishing and sustaining Indigenous cultures.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I Open the Door... contains nine interconnected stories, all of which begin and end with opening a door. The young author/illustrators at the 2016 Spinifex Writing Camp were encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, and the result is a book that will simply take your breath away. Prepare to be intrigued, surprised, fearful and delighted as you turn the pages to follow the adventures of what happens when a door is opened. 

'The Indigenous Literacy Foundation's motto of 'Reading Opens Doors' became the inspiration for the stories that were written at the 2016 Spinifex Writing Camp held once again at Tjuntjuntjara, this year with mentors Ann James, Gregg Dreise and Judy Watson. ' (Publication summary)
 

'Mad Magpie is the third book in this successful series of morality tales from award-winning author and illustrator, Gregg Dreise. Inspired by wise sayings and the knowledge of his Elders, Mad Magpie tells the story of Guluu, an angry magpie who is being teased by a gang of butcher birds. The more he is teased, the angrier he becomes. When Guluu seeks advice, his Elders tell him to stay calm like the river, ignore the butcher birds and to be strong on the inside. Guluu tries this, but the cheeky birds just laugh at him. One day, when Guluu is at the river looking for worms, the butcher birds arrive and steal his food. He remembers the words of his Elders and he tries again – and this time Guluu has a different outcome. ' (Publication summary)

The author 'tells the story of Kookoo, a kind and well-loved kookaburra who is famous for entertaining the other bush creatures with his funny stories. Everyone knows Kookoo has a special gift because he can tell funny stories about the other animals without hurting their feelings. However, when Kookoo runs out of kind stories he turns to teasing and making fun of his friends’ differences. Refusing to listen to the sage advice of his uncle, Kookoo gradually alienates all his friends until he finds himself alone and ignored by the other animals. When he finally listens to the sounds of his own laughter echoing around the bush and realises it has become an unhappy sound, Kookoo is forced to remember his uncle’s words and change his ways — kindness is like a boomerang — if you throw it often, it comes back often.' (Source: Newsouth Books website)

'In this charming and humorous morality tale, Maliyan, a proud eagle meets a turkey, Wagun, who is a silly bird, and together these two new friends begin to do silly-bird things. The Elders and Maliyan’s parents are very disappointed, warning Maliyan that it’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys. Maliyan sees the error of his ways and together with the other animals, works to clean up the mess wrought by too many silly birds. But some birds will always be silly…' (Publication summary)