In the aftermath of the Bondi tragedy, Australian Muslim families – like many others across the country – have been grappling with how to support children who are absorbing fear, grief and uncertainty through community distress and media exposure.
Kookaburra Kindness is a newly released children’s book developed to support psychological safety, emotional processing and trauma prevention in young children following exposure to collective trauma, violence or social rupture.
The book has been created as a gentle, preventative resource to help children feel safe, connected and reassured – without exposing them to graphic or distressing content.
The book was written by Dr Naba Alfayadh, a Muslim mother, medical doctor, public health researcher and founder of Rahma Health, a refugee-led public health charity.
Dr Alfayadh has lived experience of war and displacement, and her work focuses on early childhood mental health, intergenerational trauma and community-led prevention.
Grounded in child psychiatry, attachment theory and trauma-informed care, Kookaburra Kindness translates evidence-based principles into language and imagery that children can understand.
Rather than recounting violence, the story centres on restoring a child’s sense of safety, predictability and belonging – protective factors consistently identified in psychiatric literature as buffering against long-term trauma responses.
Dr Alfayadh reflects:
“The incident revealed to us how much work needs to be done to create a loving community. The incident also revealed how many people are willing to do the necessary work to connect and unite. I am so inspired by the incredible people who were ready to sacrifice their own lives, who protected others, who donated blood, who turned up to vigils, who supported their community and who are now working to protect us in the long-term.”
The book includes reflections from Adjunct Professor Aunty Marlene Drysdale, a Wiradjuri elder and health academic, who situates healing within Country, collective grief and shared responsibility.
It also features a contribution from Mikaela Stafrace, a Jewish grandmother and community leader, who speaks to the importance of everyday acts of connection and moral courage in preventing future harm.
As part of its 2026 commitment, the project aims to:
- Support psychological safety for children exposed to collective trauma
- Reduce long-term mental health harm through early, relational interventions
- Contribute to a more connected, compassionate Australia
To ensure equitable access, Kookaburra Kindness has been made freely available as a downloadable PDF for families, educators and community organisations. A printed copy is also available for those who prefer a physical book.
Free PDF: https://forms.gle/4M1se7u58vU31nth7
Amazon Copy: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GGH554TP?ref=sp_email
Rahma Health has been recognised through multiple national and state awards, including the Women’s Healthcare Australasia Medal of Distinction (2025), the Victorian Department of Health Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Award, and multiple Telstra Business Awards.
Kookaburra Kindness is offered as a contribution to healing – a reminder that in moments of pain, communities can choose care, connection and love, and that protecting children’s hearts is a shared responsibility.
Artwork by Aayah, Dr Naba’s daughter
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