Two of Australia's favourite critters took centre-stage at the recent Indigenous Literacy Foundation's Great Book Swap 2023 launch on Cammeraygal country.

When more than 80 students from Sydney schools travelled to Taronga Zoo last week for the event, all got a taste of the diverse Aboriginal languages intertwined into the program.

The kids learned about possums (Wamparla in Arabana language) and blue tongue lizards (Lungkara in Walmajarri language), two of the animals celebrated in the names of five language houses from across the country engaging students with tradition in different corners of the country.

Each language house is designed to engage students with the custom and culture of the region with each animal featured in an ILF bilingual published book.

The accompanying stories that have been written and illustrated by remote communities.

ILF co-chair and television personality Natalie Ahmat said First Languages are a key focus of the foundation.

"ILF is Community-led and supports Communities to write and illustrate stories in languages of their choice. Australian schools are also encouraged to learn more about the Country they are on, and the First Languages of their region," she said.

"It's the second year of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032, and we all have a role to promote Aboriginal languages."

Later in the day Wiradjuri woman Professor Anita Heiss hosted a second launch at the University of Queensland in Brisbane where the schoolkids, staff and members of the public swapped books.

UQ pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks said the university are big fans of the initiative.

"Our students and staff throw their support behind this worthy cause which promotes the sharing of vital learning resources - books that many people in urban Australia take for granted," Prof Fredericks said.

"We can work together to ensure books and appropriate learning resources are available for every Australian child and they reflect the richness and diversity of First Nations cultures and knowledge.

"Providing early learning opportunities for children aligns with our commitment to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who aspire to higher education."

ILF encourages corporates, organisations and social groups to learn more about the country where they live and work and host their own book swaps.