Children's Book Week

Since 1946 the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards the Book of the Year to Australian authors.
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.

There are 6 categories in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards

  • CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers
  • CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers
  • CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood
  • CBCA Picture Book of the Year
  • Eve Pownall Award 
  • CBCA Award for New Illustrator 

Read the full 2023 shortlist

Visit the Children’s Book Council of Australia to learn more.

Children’s Book Week Storytime
Rainbow Beach Library – Monday 21 August 10.30-11.15am

Come along and share some of this year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia’s shortlisted authors and their stories. This year’s theme is Read, Grow and Inspire! Use your imagination and come dressed as your favourite book character. Bring along your book and/or a prop.  Suitable for 0-5 years.

Create A Book Character Mask
Kilkivan Library - Wednesday 23 August 3:30pm-4:30pm

Do you have a favourite book character? Come along to this fun session and create a mask of your favourite book character! Suitable for ages 5-8.
Bookings are Essential: phone 54810859 or visit here to book online
 

F5F Book Week Parade
Tin Can Bay Library - Thursday 24 August 9.30am – 10.30am

Join us for a special F5F Story Time celebrating Children’s Book Week, including a dress-up parade.  Suitable for ages 6 and under.
Bookings are Essential: phone 54810859 or visit here to book online

CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers in their secondary years of schooling. Ages 13-18 years.
Note: Books in this category are for mature readers and some may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.

Book of the year: Younger Readers

Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers from the middle to upper primary years. 7-12 years.
Note: Some of the titles in this category may only be suitable for readers who are in the upper primary years as they contain mature themes, including violence. Parental guidance is recommended
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.

Book of the year: Early Childhood

Entries in 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. Ages 0-6 years.
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.

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 illustrations. Ages 0-18 years. (NB. Some of these books may be for mature readers).
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.

Eve Pownall

Entries in this category should be books which have the prime intention of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style. Ages 0-18 years.
Note: Books in this category are for mature readers and some may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.

CBCA AWARD FOR NEW ILLUSTRATOR

This Award aims to recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children's book illustration. Ages 0-18 years.
Click on a book cover to reserve a copy.