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Black Cockatoo Books

Featured Books

Black Cockatoo Books is the publishing label of Bridget Farmer, an author and artist in Central Victoria, Australia.

 

Bridget’s works focus on engaging children with native Australian birds through her simple rhymes and beautiful pictures. To illustrate her books Bridget uses a mixture of printmaking techniques and hand colouring. Kookaburra Kookaburra is illustrated with linoprints, while The Bush Birds and The Beach Birds are created using drypoint etchings and watercolour paints. You can view her processes in her social media accounts under the name BridgetFarmerPrintmaker.

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Kookaburra
Kookaburra

First published by Bridget Farmer Books 
November 2016
ISBN 9780646962122
 
Published by Thames and Hudson Australia
October 2018
ISBN 9781760760281
 
Published by Black Cockatoo Books
November 2023 
ISBN 9780645713718

Kookaburra, kookaburra, first to rise...
The iconic kookaburra is just one of the many Australian birds you will be introduced to wihin this unique picture storybook full of original lino-printed illustrations and descriptive rhymes.

 
"This book is absolutely gorgeous. My grandsons love it and have learnt so much about the birds that they are recognising them when we are outside. I bought the set of cards that complements the book and these have been a huge hit as well. Highly recommend this lovely book."
Deborah
 
"I bought this book for my child in kindergarten to teach her about Australian birds and we’ve both loved it! It is written as a poem and illustrated beautifully. A great introduction to common Australian birds! My daughter has since been spotting all the birds from the book in our neighbourhood and as we go out! A beautiful book suitable from preschool through to mid-primary."
Jade

Order books and card games: 
bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com 
 
Stock books and card games: 
bridget@bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com




 

Kookaburra
Kookaburra

First published by Bridget Farmer Books 
November 2016
ISBN 9780646962122
 
Published by Thames and Hudson Australia
October 2018
ISBN 9781760760281
 
Published by Black Cockatoo Books
November 2023 
ISBN 9780645713718

Kookaburra, kookaburra, first to rise...
The iconic kookaburra is just one of the many Australian birds you will be introduced to wihin this unique picture storybook full of original lino-printed illustrations and descriptive rhymes.

 
"This book is absolutely gorgeous. My grandsons love it and have learnt so much about the birds that they are recognising them when we are outside. I bought the set of cards that complements the book and these have been a huge hit as well. Highly recommend this lovely book."
Deborah
 
"I bought this book for my child in kindergarten to teach her about Australian birds and we’ve both loved it! It is written as a poem and illustrated beautifully. A great introduction to common Australian birds! My daughter has since been spotting all the birds from the book in our neighbourhood and as we go out! A beautiful book suitable from preschool through to mid-primary."
Jade

Order books and card games: 
bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com 
 
Stock books and card games: 
bridget@bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com




 
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The Bush Birds

First published by Black Cockatoo Books
October 2021
ISBN 9780646843025

Included on the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s notable list 2022. 

Let's go on a bush walk. Who will we see? Answer the riddles and lift the flaps to find out! Meet, and get to know, twelve Australian birds commonly found in open forests and woodlands.


"The Bush Birds takes the reader on a walk through the Australian bush to discover twelve of our native birds. Each bird is depicted on a separate page, with its name concealed under a flap and a short rhyming stanza.  The rear of the book includes more information about each bird and more information to aid with identification.
The book is beautiful illustrated throughout, giving the birds a sense of movement and the colours associated with the bush. The text is simple, clear, and lyrical...The Bush Birds is a beautiful hardcover picture book perfect for those interested in birds and native birds in particular. Its simplicity would suit younger children and makes for a lovely gift."
CBCA review by Pam Ueckerman

Order books and card games: 
bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com 
 
Stock books and card games: 
bridget@bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com
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Card Games

Through playing these card games children learn to recognise and remember a wide range of Australian birds. The cards can be used for snap, memory games or a go fish style game.

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“Customers love Bridget’s beautiful illustrations of Australian birds and I find it difficult to keep up with the demand for her items.  Her ordering process is easy and efficient and product arrives in a timely fashion. Bridget’s products just fly out the door!”

Angela Maher, Splatter Pty Ltd. Canberra

 

 

"The card game is one of our best selling items in the store.”

Cirsten Bedson, Murray Art Museum Albury

Stockists say...

 

 

 

"I went into our local shop and at last I’ve bought myself one of your gorgeous books, though I’m almost 80. I love it to bits…

Thank you for this most wonderful of books.

I love it  🙏 ♥️ "

Sandy

“I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your bird books The Bush Birds and The Beach Birds. You capture not only the physical characteristics of the birds, but also their different  personalities and movements. I have always loved lift-the flap books too, so that's an added pleasure :-)

Thanks, too, for the care you take in packaging them and sending them.”

Melissa

Customers say...

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I am a Magpie
I am a Currawong

First published by Black Cockatoo Books
September 2024 
ISBN 9780645713725

Included on the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s notable list 2025. 
 

With simple rhymes and stunning illustrations this book is a beautiful beginning to your child's bird loving journey.
 
From magpies to currawongs, and finches to thornbills this book introduces readers to a few little details to look out for when in Australian gardens, parks, beaches or bush. It is a book about noticing, and the more you look the more you see in the natural world around you!

Aimed at preschool aged children with beautiful thick pages and a smaller size for little hands. Or perfect for primary school aged children learning to read.



"Bridget has used clever rhyming and rhythm to accompany her always beautiful artwork. I love the shape of this book too – a small square just right for hands to hold with its pages in a soft and appealing sage green. The textured look of the pages is the perfect accompaniment to this gentle appreciation of Australia’s bird life. ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ – I have forgotten who said this, but it’s an expression just right for this book."
Dr Belle Alderman AM, Emeritus Professor of Children’s Literature and Director of  National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature INC.

Order book: 
bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com 
 
Stock books: 
bridget@bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com
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