Book of the Year shortlist
The 2021 Book of the Year shortlist has been released! We love Book Week (surprise, surprise) and are always excited when the Book of the Year shortlist gets announced. Which books will come out on top? Why not read the top contenders and decide for yourself which books should win, before the winner and notable books get announced on Friday 20 August.
Are your kids big readers? Or perhaps you’d like to encourage them to be? It’s never too early to bring your little ones to your nearest Storytime session! Or take some time out for yourself and join your local bookclub.
Book of the Year: Older Readers
These books are for mature readers in their secondary years of schooling. Some books may deal with challenging themes; parental guidance is recommended.
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Some of the titles in this category may only be suitable for readers in the upper primary years. Some books may contain mature themes; parental guidance is recommended.
The book of chance by Sue Whiting [not yet available from WDL].
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Entries is this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for children who are at pre-reading or early stages of reading.
Picture Book of the Year
Entries in this category should be outstanding books of the Picture Book genre in which the author and illustrator achieve artistic and literary unity, or in wordless picture books, where the story, theme or concept is unified through the illustrations. Some of these books may be for mature readers.
How to make a bird by Matt Ottley [not yet available from WDL].
Eve Pownall Award
These books should have the prime intention of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style.
Azaria: a true history by Maree Coote [not yet available from WDL].
Dry to dry: the seasons of Kakadu by Pamela Freeman [not yet available from WDL].
Hold on! Saving the spotted handfish by Gina M Newton [not yet available from WDL].
CBCA Award for New Illustrator
The award aims to recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children’s book illustrations.
Ribbit rabbit robot by Sofya Karmazina [not yet available from WDL].
Seven seas of fleas by Dave Petzoid [not yet available from WDL].
Go away, Worry Monster by Robin Tatlow-Lord [not yet available from WDL].
The advocacy role played by the Childrens Book Council of Australia (CBCA) promotes the literary experience for children and assures the scope and vitality of Australian children’s books. The annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards affirm the quality of some of Australia’s most creative people and provide a boost to their capacity to devote time to their craft.
Established with the first awards in 1946, the annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards aim to:
- promote quality literature for young Australians;
- support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children’s books and;
- celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature