Loved You Then

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 of time.
I loved you then, I love you now, I'll love you always.'

A young child and a loving family member sit on the porch at sunset watching a storm roll in. The adult whispers, 'I love you,' but the child needs reassurance: 'How much?' With each new declaration, we learn that the love between adult and child is boundless.

A gorgeous and gentle look at all the ways we are loved.

Carl is a Jaru/Kija man from Halls Creek in the Kimberleys in Western Australia. Carl loves spending time out bush with his family; fishing, hunting and swimming in waterholes. He loves AFL- he is a Level 3 coach! Carl was awarded State Finalist of the Australian of the Year Award- Local Hero for Western Australia in 2016 for his work as lifeguard, football coach, Clontarf worker and youth mentor. Carl was the 2020 Black&Write Fellowship recipient for his series of picture books: Backyard Sports. He was a shortlisted author for the Western Australian Writing Fellowship.