Riding the Black Cockatoo

All through his growing-up years, John Danalis's family had an Aboriginal skull on the mantelpiece; yet only as an adult after enrolling in an Indigenous Writing course did he ask his family where it came from and whether it should be restored to its rightful owners. This is the compelling story of how the skull of an Aboriginal man, found on the banks of the Murray River more than 40 years ago, came to be returned to his Wamba Wamba descendants. It is a story of awakening, atonement, forgiveness, and friendship. "It is as if a whole window into Indigenous culture has blown open, not just the window, but every door in the house," says John Danalis. Part history, part detective story, part cultural discovery and emotional journey, this is a book for young and old, showing the transformative and healing power of true reconciliation.

John Danalis is the author and illustrator of Bath Monster, Dog 37, and Uncle Lou's Tattoos. He has illustrated numerous other titles, including Licking Lizards, Girl in the Cave, and Loku and the Shark Attack. Boori Monty Pryor is the coauthor of Flytrap and Njunjul the Sun.