Waarda is Nyungar for talking and sharing stories and information. And it is also the name of a new Indigenous children’s series launched this week to coincide with Indigenous Literacy Day!

We’ve read the first two books in the series, Bush Secrets, and The Great Cold, and we loved them. So, we thought this might be a good day to share them with you! As well as some great stories, at the back of each book you can read a bit about the authors, and where they grew up.

Bush Secrets by Tjalaminu Mia and Jessica Lister, illustrated by Tracey Gibbs (Fremantle Press, 2009)

Debbie has two secrets and she doesn’t want to tell her brother, Billy, because she doesn’t think he ‘really understands what a secret is.’ But when her grandfather, Dada Keen comes for a visit, she knows she can tell him. And Dada Keen has a secret to show Debbie too – a special place in the bush! Debbie hopes that they can go bushwalking to find it, without Billy.

Will Dada Keen bring Billy with us when we go bushwalking tomorrow? I hope not. I’ve never had a special outing on my own with Dada Keen. It would be lovely if, for once, it could just be the two of us.

I cross my fingers and make a wish. Please let me go bushwalking with Dada Keen alone tomorrow.

Will my wish come true?

This book was written by a grandmother and her granddaughter. They show what’s special about the Australian bush, and how important it is to look after it.

The Great Cold by Gladys Milroy, illustrated by Tracey Gibbs (Fremantle Press, 2009)

‘The Great Cold is coming,’ said Magpie as Crow shivered in her nest.

‘You must leave before it’s too late.’

Ever since Moon became jealous of Sun and started a battle, everything had changed. If Moon won, there would be no light left, and everything outside the cavern would freeze. Crow is sitting on an egg in her nest and she doesn’t want to leave it. She decides to try to fly to the cavern with her nest in her beak. Will she make it in time? The Goannabird is her friend. But, on his own, can he stop the Great Cold from spreading?

This is a story about friendship and bravery, and about working together to help everyone in your community.

(Teachers can request free teaching notes for both of these books by emailing Claire Miller at Fremantle Press.)

Our review copies were sent to us by Fremantle Press