Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers shortlisted for this year’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature. This annual Award from the Wilderness Society’s annual Award celebrates books that promote a love of nature, a sense of caring for the world, and curiosity in children.

This year’s shortlist features wonderfully illustrated picture fiction, adventurous tales with conservation hijinks, and fact-filled nonfiction books that will feed children’s curiosity.

Here are the shortlisted books for each category…

Picture fiction

• Circle by Jeannie Baker
• The Cassowary’s Gift by Pam Skadins and Kathryn Lovejoy
• Echidnas Can’t Cuddle by Nieta Manser and Lauren Merrick
• Chooks in Dinner Suits by Diane Jackson Hill and Craig Smith

Non-fiction

• Amazing Animals of Australia’s National Parks by Gina M. Newton
• Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy
• Desert Lake by Pamela Freeman and Liz Anelli

Fiction

• Red-tail Recovery by Emma Homes
• Rainforest Camp (Juliet Nearly a Vet Book 12) by Rebecca Johnson
• Squishy Taylor and the Tunnel of Doom (Squishy Taylor Book 6) by Ailsa Wild and Ben Wood

The 2017 winners will be announced on Saturday 12 August by former winner Trace Balla. Find out more about the winning announcement here.