Binabar Books publishes a range of colourful children’s story books which incorporate Aboriginal languages in the text as a way of helping young ones learn both English and a traditional language. The books are proving popular with teachers as a way of introducing language and cultural studies in the early years.
These quality publications are designed for publication in any language, and the Binabar team can advise on the best ways to have the books printed in your local language.
The books contain orthography notes to assist with pronunciation, as well as a list of related additional vocabulary which can be used in extension work.
As an additional feature, the books have been printed with sound embedded to enrich the reading experience and to help teach correct pronunciation. Audio Readers can be purchased to hear the reading, though the audio facility is not necessary for a full appreciation of the stories.
Some titles have been set to music which can be easily played on piano or guitar.
Three titles have now been produced in the Binabar Books range – in four different Aboriginal languages.
Each of the titles can be adapted for other languages, and Binabar Books will assist you with the appropriate way to collaborate with your local community to incorporate a new language. We are also happy to write and illustrate new stories to deliver your message.
An added feature of the books is the inclusion of sound within the pages so that readers can hear the correct pronunciations for new words. The sound is picked up through an Audio Reader, which is sold separately. One Audio Reader can carry up to 100 different books and the sound files for new titles will be available on the Binabar website.
However, the use of the sound feature is not essential to a full appreciation of these story books.
Lenny and the Big Red Gullai- Yugambeh language.
Lenny and the Big Red Kinan (Bag)
Caring for Kiara – A Healthy Namul (Child)
My Mara Love to Clap (Hands)
Caring for Kiara
Kiara is a little Aboriginal girl who goes for her regular health check. Her story helps teach us the importance of looking after children’s health, while teaching names for parts of the body.
Targeted at early primary school learners, each page includes language words relating to the body with the story mostly in English.
The book is available with audio allowing readers to hear local people speaking the language words. Audio readers can be purchased separately.
This book is currently available in Yuggera (Brisbane region) and Yugambeh (Gold Coast/Beenleigh region)
Please contact us to order copies in Yuggera or Yugambeh, or to arrange to produce the book in your local Indigenous language.
This book helps young readers learn new language words for the parts of their body, in a rhyme that encourages movement and repetition.
My Mara. Paakantji Language.
Aimed at early primary school learners, each page contains language words for the body, in a mostly English language poem format. The book also contains a list of related words with English translation for use in extension activities.
The book is available with audio of local language speakers reading the story and the list of language words included. Audio readers to access the sound feature can be purchased on request.
The rhyming story has also been set to music to assist learning and recall.
Currently available in:
* Paakantji (Darling river region, NSW, including Wilcannia, Menindee and Broken Hill)
* Awabakal (Newcastle region, NSW)
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Contact us to order copies of the book in Paakantji or Awabakal, or to arrange to produce the book in your local language.
Awabakal Language, Lenny cover
“Lenny and the Big Red Bag” is a rhyming story that teaches Indigenous language names for common things found on a walk through the bush. The target group for this book is pre-school and early primary and the young learners also enjoy the song version of the story.
Each page of the book contains three or four of the subject language words, worked into a mostly English poem format. It also contains a list of around 50 related words with English translation in the back of the book.
The book contains orthography notes to assist with pronunciation and can be adapted for printing in any language.
The book is available with audio of local language speakers reading the story and the list of language words included. Audio readers to access the sound feature can be purchased on request.
Currently available in:
* Yugambeh (South east Qld, Gold Coast Beenleigh west to Beaudesert)
* Awabakal (Newcastle region, NSW)
Please contact us to order copies in Yugambeh or Awabakal, or to arrange to print the book in your local Indigenous language.
