Book of the Week

With the current national discussion around the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, it is fitting that our Book of the Week also tells an indigenous story.  Took the Children Away, the iconic song of the Stolen Generations, was released in picture book format on the 30th anniversary of the song being written by Archie Roach in 1990 to heal his pain.  With illustrations by his partner Ruby Hunter, this is a powerful story about the Australian past practice of removing children from their families and of the injustices and heartbreak that was suffered as a result. It is also a story about hope and healing and would be an important addition to class libraries and discussions.

To honour the 30th-anniversary edition of this iconic song, The Archie Roach Foundation in collaboration with Culture is Life and ABC, has also created additional educational resources on the stolen generation for primary and high school-aged children. You can find The Archie Roach Stolen Generations Resources here.

Graphic Book Review

Slider image: public domain

Photo image credit: Press