The Children’s Book Council of Australia 2026 Awards Shortlist
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.
From playful absurdity and laugh-out-loud humour to stories that explore grief, resilience, belonging and identity, these books meet young readers where they are – and invite them to think, feel and imagine more deeply. Family, friendship and intergenerational connection feature strongly, alongside powerful explorations of culture, Country and place. Environmental awareness, self-expression and the courage to find one’s voice resonate across the lists.
Older Readers
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
Younger Readers
Run by Sarah Armstrong
Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton & 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
Early Childhood
The Thing About Christmas by Jo Dabrowski & Briony Stewart
Derek by Anne Donaldson & Matt Shanks
Frogs Are Our Friends by Toni D’Alia & Madeline White
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
Picture Book of the Year
Bob and Dob by Sean E Avery
Tiwi in Paris by Glen Farmer Illortaminni
Dear Broccoli by Cate James & Jo Dabrowski
Dawn by Marc Martin
The Frog’s First Song by Jason Phu & Jazz Money
Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder
Eve Pownall Award
There’s a Prawn in Parliament House by Annabel Crabb & First Dog on the Moon
A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris
Peculiar Parents by Stephanie Owen Reeder & Ingrid Bartkowiak
The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renée Treml
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt & Ben Williams
Ningaloo by Tim Winton & Cindy Lane
New Illustrator
Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas by Luke John Matthew Arnold
Beyond the Shore by Mark Chester Harding & Kirli Saunders
A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris
Prayer for a River by Uncle Glenn Loughrey, Andrew Kelly & Uncle Glenn Loughrey
A Farm by the Sea by Jillian Packer
Being Indy by Estee Sarsfield & Zoe Gaetjens
