This Is Us: Essential Australian Poems for Young People

Book cover with the title 'This is Us' in large white text, the subtitle 'Essential Australian Poems for Young People' is red text and illustrations of Australian children on an orange background

Beautifully illustrated by Tull Suwannakit and ideal for sharing with the whole family, this edition brings together old favourites and sure-to-be new favourites in an indispensable addition to your bookshelves. From poems that whisper to poems that roar, from words of tranquility and heartbreak to the witty and absurd, there is something within these pages to make everyone feel seen and understood.

In the collection

Black and white photo of a younger woman, Jackie French, and an older woman, Judith Wright, standing and talking amongst trees

Virginia Wallace-Crabbe, Jackie French and Judith Wright, 1992, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140505883

[Pen once owned by Henry Lawson], 1900, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135760413

Black and white photo of a large waterfall

Frank Hurley, Katoomba Falls in full flow, Blue Mountains, New South Wales, 1, 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-159923996

Black and shite portrait illustration of Banjo Paterson wearing a suit, with a print of his signature underneath

Portrait of A.B. Paterson, 1890, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136524579

Detailed illustration of a lyrebird looking up at it's voluminous tail fathers

JW Lewin, [Lyrebird of Australia], c. 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135227400

Reviews

Vuma Phiri, Books+Publishing

Perfect for primary school classrooms, libraries and home bookshelves, This Is Us will encourage a new generation of poets and artists to share their own creative musings.

Ashleigh Meikle, The Book Muse

It’s a book of beauty, and one that is sure to be well-read, well-loved and well-used in homes and schools across the country. Read more.

About the editors

Woman, Libby Hathorn, smiling and sitting on a white armchair with her arms out

Libby Hathorn is a seasoned poet, writer and librettist. She has won major literary awards, including Children’s Book Council of Australia awards, the Centenary Medal, the Lady Cutler Award and ABIA’s Pixie O’Harris Award. She attests to the power of poetry in her work and in her life.

Jude Fell is an acclaimed educator and consultant. She is widely recognised for her dedication to fostering learning through creativity. A strong advocate for students with learning disabilities, she was awarded a University Medal in Education from the University of New England in 1995. A lifelong passion for poetry and the arts is at the heart of her practice.

About the illustrator

Black and white photo of man, Tull Suwannakit, smiling and holding a pencil

Tull Suwannakit is an Australian book illustrator and author for children, with a background in animation and fine art. His books have been published in Australia, the US, the UK and Thailand as well as translated into numerous languages throughout the world.