The shortlists for the 80th CBCA Book of the Year Awards have been announced! The awards celebrate the best of Australian children's literature, for readers from ages 0-18 years across a number of categories.
Discover the shortlisted titles below, and stay tuned for the announcement of the winners on Friday 21 August!
Picture Book of the Year shortlist
Recognising the best Australian picture books of the year!
Bob and Dob by Sean E Avery
Dear Broccoli by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Cate James
Tiwi in Paris by Glen Farmer Illortaminni
Dawn by Marc Martin
The Frog’s First Song by Jazz Money, illustrated by Jason Phu
Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder
Book of the Year for Early Childhood shortlist
Recognising picture and board books for kids aged 0-6.
The Thing About Christmas by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart
Frogs Are Our Friends by Toni D'Alia, illustrated by Madeline White
Derek by Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks
My Nonno Loves by Adelle Frittitta, illustrated by Claudia Frittitta
The Colours of Home by Sally Soweol Han
The Emperor’s Egg by Rae Tan
Book of the Year for Younger Readers shortlist
Recognising remarkable junior and middle grade books, for readers aged 6-12.
Run by Sarah Armstrong
Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
Little Bones by Sandy Bigna
Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa'Aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker, with Lyn White
The Paperbark Tree Committee by Karys McEwen
Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A. Minton
Book of the Year Older Readers shortlist
Recognising the best young adult novels of the year, for readers aged 13+.
Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge
Darkest Night, Brightest Star by Barry Jonsberg
This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern
We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon
Golden by Jade Timms
Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson
The Eve Pownall Award shortlist
Recognising engaging and informative children's nonfiction.
There’s a Prawn in Parliament House by Annabel Crabb, illustrated by First Dog on the Moon
A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris
Peculiar Parents by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak
The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renee Treml
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams
Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder by Tim Winton, illustrated by Cindy Lane
Award for a New Illustrator shortlist
Recognising new talent in the field of Australian children's book illustration.
Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas by Luke John Matthew Arnold
Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield
A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris
Prayer for a River by Andrew Kelly, illustrated by Glenn Loughrey
A Farm by the Sea by Jillian Packer
Beyond the Shore by Kirli Saunders, illustrated by Mark Chester Harding
You can read more about the CBCA and their Book of the Year Awards here, or revisit the notable books for each category here.
