The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) today announced their 2024 Book of the Year Awards.
The winning books are a mix of debut creatives (including Karen Comer whose YA novel Grace Notes written in verse form showcases incredible literary technique) through to the experienced, such as the established Tristan Bancks, whose Scar Town was 13 years in the making, and is already being used by teachers to entice reluctant readers.
Erica Wagner might be new to illustrating children’s books, however she has enjoyed a 30-year long career in children’s publishing as an editor and publisher. The Eve Pownall winner Country Townshowcases the brilliance of communicating information creatively combining the expertise of First Nations teacher Robyn Ridgeway, historical novelist Isolde Martyn and illustrator Louise Hogan.
Two Western Australian author/illustrators round out this year’s winners with Briony Stewart’s energetic Gymnastica Fantastica winning the Early Childhood, and Kelly Canby’s Timeless taking out the competitive Picture Book Category above 200 other entries.
This year the Shadow Judging winners were also announced simultaneously. Now in its 3rd year, over 240 groups of school children (our Shadow Judges) assessed the shortlisted books and voted for their winners. The Shadow Judges agree with the adults for the Younger readers category naming Scar Townas their winner, and Honour Book Australia: Country of Colour for the Eve Pownall category. Inkflower, Every Night at Midnight and The Concrete Garden round out the list of Shadow Judging winners.
Book of the Year: Older Readers
Book of the Year: Older ReadersEntries 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.
HONOUR BOOKS:
A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson – Read a book review
Let’s Never Speak of This Again by Megan Williams – Read a book review
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.
WINNER:
Scar Town by Tristan Bancks – Read an interview with the author
HONOUR BOOKS
Huda Was Here by H Hayek
Real Pigeons Flap Out by Andrew McDonald and illustrated by Ben Wood
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Book of the Year: Early ChildhoodEntries 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.
WINNER:
Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart
HONOUR BOOKS
Grace and Mr Milligan by Caz Goodwin and illustrated by Pip Kruger
Bear & Duck are Friends by Sue DeGennaro
Picture Book of the Year
Picture Book of the YearEntries 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).
WINNER
Timeless by Kelly Canby
HONOUR BOOKS:
Paper-flower Girl by Margrete Lamond and illustrated by Mateja Jager
That Bird Has Arms by Kate Temple & Jol Temple and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh & Niharika Hukku
Eve Pownall Award
Eve Pownall AwardEntries 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: Some books in this category are for mature readers and may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.
WINNER:
Country Town by Isolde Martyn & Robyn Ridgeway and illustrated by Louise Hogan
HONOUR BOOKS:
Australia: Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft – Read a book review
Our Country: Where History Happened by Mark Greenwood and illustrated by Frané Lessac
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.
WINNER:
Hope is the Thing illustrated by Erica Wagner and written by Johanna Bell
