1. Country
2. Cultural heroes
3. Culture
4. First Nations people
5. History
6. Land rights
7. Reconciliation
8. Relationship to place

‘Somebody’s Land’ is the first in a proposed series of books for young children and families about Australia’s First Nations history. The book invites Australian families to learn of the long and deep relationship First Nations people have with this land through their Dreaming, their Culture and their connection to Country. For over 65,000 years the First Nations people have been the traditional custodians of the land only taking from the land what they needed in keeping with their law and Culture. The text is powerful, made more so by the truth of the refrain repeated on each double page spread;:‘When the white people came, they called the land Terra Nullius. They said it was nobody’s land. But it was somebody’s land’.

The bright colourful illustrations bring the text to life and show the respectful way First Nations people interacted with the land. One double page spread shows the contrast between the white people’s approach to the land and that of the First Nations people.

The book closes with a double page spread depicting a Sydney harbourside view filled with people from different cultural backgrounds. The book is an invitation to all Australians to connect with Australia’s First Nations people to acknowledge the truth and pain of the past and to come together to respect, protect and share this land.

Author Adam Goodes is an Adnyamathanha and Narungga man and community leader who is well known for his championship playing in Australian Rules and as the 2014 Australian of the Year. He is a prominent leader in the fight against racism and a strong advocate for First Nations affairs. Ellie Laing is a former journalist who was inspired to collaborate with Adam Goodes on a series of books when her son came home reciting Acknowledgments of Country and singing Aboriginal lullabies.

Illustrator and author David Hardy is a Barkindji man who has worked for eight years in the Walt Disney Animation Studios. David has also written and illustrated other books included in the database.

Series title: Welcome to our Country

1. Allen & Unwin ‘Somebody’s Land’ written by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy. Includes extensive notes for teachers and separate notes for parents and carers. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/Somebodys-Land-Welcome-to-Our-Country-Adam-Goodes-and-Ellie-Laing-illustrated-by-David-Hardy-9781760526726
2. Booktopia TV, ‘Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing talk about ‘Somebody’s Land’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K-Ipf61Uu4
3. Kids’ Book Review 2 Nov 2021 Review by Anastasia Gonis of Somebody’s Land! http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2021/11/review-somebodys-land.html
4. Noveltea Corner 2 Nov 2021 Review of ‘Somebody’s Land’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_qPp6CeaE
5. Sydney Morning Herald 2 Jul 2021 ‘Adam Goodes to publish first picture book, Somebody’s Land’ https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/adam-goodes-to-publish-first-picture-book-somebody-s-land-20210701-p585wv.html