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Before It Was Called Science
Discover 65,000+ years of First Nations knowledge
Brief Description
Across these vast lands and skies, the First Peoples have walked with Country for thousands of years. They read the land and waters like a book. They knew the winds, watched the stars, and listened deeply to the environment around them. They understood that to take...
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Format: Hardback
$3699
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29th
September 2026
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Before It Was Called Science
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In this follow-up to the groundbreaking children's book The First Scientists, bestselling author Corey Tutt is back to share more incredible stories of how Australia's First Peoples practised science long before it carried that name.
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Description
Across these vast lands and skies, the First Peoples have walked with Country for thousands of years. They read the land and waters like a book. They knew the winds, watched the stars, and listened deeply to the environment around them. They understood that to take care of Country is to take care of yourself, your family, and the generations yet to come.
Now, as we experience a changing climate and a fast-moving world, Before It Was Called Science reminds us how traditional knowledge can continue to guide us into the future. Organised into two main sections - BEFORE and NOW - Corey shares case studies from various communities, presented to suit kids aged 7-12 years.
Did you know that the first scientists invented sustainable ways of carrying food and water, unlike the single-use plastics and packaging we see today? Or that the first scientists could remove salt from seawater? You can also learn how communities today are protecting endangered animals or slowing the erosion of island beaches.
Featuring vibrant illustrations by Jaelyn Biumaiwai and a glow-in-the-dark cover, this is the perfect book to get kids excited about science and sustainability. Together, we can walk towards a better future, caring for Country as the first scientists always have.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761181511
Publisher: A&U Children's
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 29 September 2026
Country: Australia
Imprint: A&U Children
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 210.0mm
Height: 255.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 96
About the Author
COREY TUTT OAM is a Kamilaroi man, and the CEO and founder of DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to provide science resources to remote schools in Australia and connects young First Nations people with mentors in STEM. He was born on Yuin Country in Nowra on the New South Wales south coast, and now lives on Biripi/Dhungatti Country. In 2020, Corey was named the NSW Young Australian of the Year and a Human Rights Hero by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2022, Corey received an OAM for service to Indigenous STEM education. He is an A/Prof at Western Sydney University. This is Corey's fifth book following The First Scientists, This Book Thinks Ya Deadly!, Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles and Come Home, Bigibila.
JAELYN BIUMAIWAI is an illustrator of Mununjali and iTaukei Fijian ancestry, and lives and creates on Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast (forming part of the Yugambeh Language Region). Jaelyn's illustrations aim to support cultural identity and belonging among First Nations communities and the wider Pasifika diaspora, and cultural understanding among everyone. She creates illustrations that her younger self would've loved to see. Jaelyn's illustrations have appeared in several children's books, including Come Together by Isaiah Firebrace.
Also by Corey Tutt
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The First Scientists
WINNER OF THE 2023 NSW PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS ‘PATRICIA WRIGHTSON PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE’SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARDS ‘INDIGENOUS WRITERS' PRIZE’WINNER OF THE 2022 ABIA ‘BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN’SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 CBCA 'EVE POWNALL' AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 QUEENSLAND LITERARY AWARDS 'CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD' The First Scientists is the highly anticipated, illustrated science book...Hardback$3799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Come Home, Bigibila
Bigibila was born on a night when Gawarrgay, the dark emu, was high in the sky. The air tasted of native lime and was full of the sound of animal songs. This is my Country, Bigibila thought. My place. But when Bigibila finds herself far from her Country - how will she ever find her way back? With Gamilaraay words...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
This Book Thinks Ya Deadly!
This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! is an inspirational, illustrated compendium that celebrates the diversity and success of First Nations People. Written by Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists, this book features the profiles of more than 70 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism, and science, through to politics, education, and literature. It showcases the careers...Hardback$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Deadly Science: Light and Colour
Light from our Sun and other sources is all around, bringing colour, heat and energy. Over time, humans have harnessed light to create fire, fluorescent light and even scientific equipment like lasers. But light and colour are tricky. Too much or too little light changes our body chemistry, when it bends it can fool our eyes, and it can even...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Deadly Science: Numbers in Nature
Mathematical concepts are all around us – in nature, architecture, art, biology, computer science and in our everyday lives. Did you know that natural processes, such as how bees swarm, have been used as a model or computer algorithms, or that boomerangs work using similar aerodynamic concepts as aircraft? Explore how number patterns, symmetry, algebra, geometry and other maths concepts...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Animal Survival
Animals are fantastically adapted to their environment. In order to survive, they have developed features, such as warm winter coats, and abilities, such as camouflage. In this book, students explore the survival of Australian animals in a range of environments, with a recognition of the way Indigenous Australians have observed, celebrated and protected our native species for thousands of years. ...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Earth’s Changing Surfaces
On any given day the earth is changing – with floods, earthquakes, droughts and storms occurring with every-increasing power and volume. Climate change has altered our lives forever; this book will not only show you how it happens, but also help you understand its impact on our precious planet.The ground we're standing on has so much to teach us –...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles
As a child, Corey would run barefoot across fields, climb rocks, jump into creeks, and explore red sands in search of reptiles. The only reference books he could find included European and Latin names, but as a Kamilaroi man, Corey was keen to learn reptile names in First Languages. Sharing knowledge from 20 different First Nations, Caution! This Book Contains...HardbackSold Out
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