1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
2. Art techniques
3. Biographies
4. Civil rights
5. Country
6. Cultural heroes
7. Culture
8. Drama
9. Dreams
10. Education
11. First Nations people
12. Games
13. Goodes, Adam
14. Health
15. History
16. Human rights
17. Music
18. Racism
19. Relationship to place
20. Respect
21. Science
22. Sporting competitions
23. Sports
24. Sportspersons
25. Visual literacy

This title’s striking black cover is an attention-grabber. The boldly coloured embossed title features iconic images of people inserted as a lead into the profiles of 72 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The individuals’ achievements in their respective fields feature in 250-350 words. Opposite each profile Molly Hunt’s portraits capture these individuals’ recognisable facial features. People profiled are in the fields of music, film, television and stage; visual arts; literature; journalism; education; science; health and sport. Tutt provides a short overview sentence to each of these sections that indicates the inspiration each field offers. For example, the music overview says, ‘Whether it’s listening to music that pumps you up for a workout or songs that get you through a tough time in your life music brings us together and can connect us to something deeper — culture’.

Two page profiles for each person include an appealing, striking portrait by Molly Hunt opposite Corey Tutt’s overview with his personal comment on the individual’ contribution to their particular field. The book design uses bold, strong colours, and individual portraits capture recognisable features of each person. The AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia is included to locate each person’s Country.

‘This Book Thinks Ya Deadly!’ is shortlisted in the 2024 CBCA Eve Pownall Awards.

Corey Tutt is a K/Gamilaroi man born in Shoalhaven, NSW. In 2018, he founded DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation providing science resources to Australia’s remote schools and aiming to connect young First Nations people with mentors to encourage an interest in science. He has received many honours for his service to Indigenous STEM education. Molly Hunt, illustrator for this book, is a Balanggarra and Yolngu woman who says she aims to tell stories that prioritise First Nations People.

1. NITV Radio 22 May 2023 podcast 20min playing time https://www.sbs.com.au/language/nitv-radio/en/podcast-episode/corey-tutts-this-book-thinks-ya-deadly-a-celebration-of-black-excellence/o850z12oh
2. Wikipedia Corey Tutt profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Tutt
3. Molly Hunt website https://heymolly.com.au/pages/about
4. Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Australian Honours for Corey Tutt awarded 2022 https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2011351
5. University of Sydney 5 Nov 2019 Corey Tutt named NSW Young Australian of the Year https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2019/11/05/corey-tutt-named-nsw-young-australian-of-the-year.html