Carl Merrison

An action-packed illustrated series for ages 8+, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo and My Footy Boots. I'm about 35 metres out from the goal and, running on instinct, I do a snap kick of the ball. I watch as the footy flies through the air. Will it bend enough? I can hear the roar of the crowd but...

Black Cockatoo is a vignette that follows Mia, a young Aboriginal girl, as she explores the fragile connections of family and culture. Mia is a 13-year-old girl from a remote community in the Kimberley. She is saddened by the loss of her brother as he distances himself from the family. She feels powerless to change the things she sees around...

The love between two family members takes us on a journey from their small backyard, across Country, to the end of time - because sometimes we need to hear all the ways we are loved. A heartfelt story from the award-winning creators of Black Cockatoo, with illustrator Jade Goodwin. 'My love stretches back to Creation and forward to the end...

An action-packed illustrated series for ages 8+, from the award-winning authors of Black Cockatoo and My Deadly Boots. It's a GOAL! A rush of adrenaline courses through me as I jump in the air in celebration. This is big – my first goal in the AFLW. I've achieved my dream! My teammates gather around to celebrate. I can hear my...

A footy adventure story based on Ash Johnson's life by award-winning authors Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler. Jy Goes for Gold (Book 1) was a CBCA Notable book in 2025. I reach out and snatch the footy... I sense where the goals are... I position myself, put the ball on my boot for a snap kick and it sails through...

We first met Mia in Black Cockatoo as she navigated her way through culture, Country and familial ties. The second book, Dirrarn, follows Mia as she finds herself at boarding school, navigating the challenges of living thousands of kilometres away from home and family, and maintaining her sense of identity and belonging. In this final book, Ngurra Home, Mia is...

The first book in a joyful black&write! Fellowship-winning picture book series that follows a cast of footy-loving kids as they hop through the backyards of their neighbourhood in the Kimberley, collecting equipment and friends to play with as they go. Jy is playing football alone in his small backyard in the Kimberley, but when he accidentally kicks the ball over...

Follow a cast of sport-loving kids as they hop through the backyards of their neighbourhood in the Kimberley, collecting equipment and friends to play with as they go, from award-winning creators Carl Merrison and Samantha Campbell. Mum loves tennis, but we don't have a court out here. One day, she gets out her old racquets and takes me into the...

Age range 10+ Mia could hear the squarks of her Jarriny before she saw them. Her eyes had flicked to the sky in search of the passing dirrarn but soon realised the noise was from the bird just beyond the gate. We first met Mia in Black Cockatoo, as she navigated her way through culture, Country and familial ties. Dirrarn...

Age range 12+'There must be payback.''There must, you are right,' Grandfather agrees.'What can you offer in exchange?'Grandfather holds up his arms, open, offering himself as a sacrifice. 'I am old.'Deklan 'Dek' Archer and his mates arrive at school to a tense atmosphere. 'Old Mate', Mr Henry, who has lived in town for a long time, has been found murdered. He...

Follow a cast of sport-loving kids as they hop through the backyards of their neighbourhood in the Kimberley, collecting equipment and friends to play with as they go, from award-winning creators Carl Merrison and Samantha Campbell. Mum loves tennis, but we don't have a court out here. One day, she gets out her old racquets and takes me into the...

Jy is playing football alone in his small backyard in the Kimberley, but when he accidentally kicks the ball over the fence, a footy adventure begins! Footy by yourself is fun, but playing with mates is better. The first title in a joyful black&write! Fellowship-winning series, where the fun only grows with family and friends! Praise for Backyard Footy 'There's...

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD, QUEENSLAND LITERARY AWARDS 2023 SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR AGES 3-5 AWARD 2023 Spikes on the bottom boots, my favourite colour boots, making me too deadly. Can the shoes on your feet really make you jump higher? Walk taller? Dream bigger? A joyous, empowering story about finding confidence...