Celebrate a Symphony of Stories for Children's Book Week: Saturday 22 to Friday 28 August 2026

The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards recognise quality Australian children's books in six categories. First established in 1946, the annual 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.

The Shadower's Choice Award is part of The Sun Project: Shadow Judging where groups of young people (supported by a facilitator and CBCA mentor) read the six shortlisted titles for a single category and then vote for a winner.

 

Some publishers have released teacher notes on these titles so we have added links to this page for easy reference.

We also have the Notables longlist here on our website.

 

21 Aug 2026: Updated with the winners and honour books.

Older Readers (ages 13-18)

WINNER

  1. Darkest Night, Brightest Star
    Darkest Night, Brightest Star
    Now: $17.99 Was: $19.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Golden
    Golden
    Now: $20.69 Was: $22.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Unhallowed Halls
    Unhallowed Halls
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Of Flame and Fury
    Of Flame and Fury
    Now: $24.29 Was: $26.99
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SHORTLIST

SHADOWER'S CHOICE WINNER

  1. This Stays Between Us
    This Stays Between Us
    Now: $17.99 Was: $19.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. We Saw What You Started
    We Saw What You Started
    Now: $17.99 Was: $19.99
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Younger Readers (ages 7-12)

WINNER

  1. Inked
    Inked
    Now: $17.99 Was: $19.99
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HONOUR BOOK

SHADOWER'S CHOICE WINNER

  1. Run
    Run
    Now: $17.09 Was: $18.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Little Bones
    Little Bones
    Now: $16.19 Was: $17.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces
    Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces
    Now: $14.39 Was: $15.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Spirit of the Crocodile
    Spirit of the Crocodile
    Now: $17.99 Was: $19.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. The Paperbark Tree Committee
    The Paperbark Tree Committee
    Now: $15.29 Was: $16.99
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Early Childhood (ages 0-6)

WINNER

  1. [Temporarily unavailable] The Emperor's Egg
    [Temporarily unavailable] The Emperor's Egg
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. The Thing About Christmas
    The Thing About Christmas
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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HONOUR BOOK

SHADOWER'S CHOICE WINNER

  1. Derek
    Derek
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Frogs Are Our Friends
    Frogs Are Our Friends
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. My Nonno Loves
    My Nonno Loves
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. The Colours of Home
    The Colours of Home
    Now: $24.29 Was: $26.99
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Picture Books (ages 0-18)

WINNER

  1. Once I was a Giant
    Once I was a Giant
    Now: $26.99 Was: $29.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Bob and Dob (Hardcover)
    Bob and Dob (Hardcover)
    Now: $23.39 Was: $25.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Tiwi in Paris
    Tiwi in Paris
    Now: $24.29 Was: $26.99
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SHORTLIST

SHADOWER'S CHOICE WINNER

  1. Dear Broccoli
    Dear Broccoli
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Dawn
    Dawn
    Now: $25.19 Was: $27.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. The Frog's First Song
    The Frog's First Song
    Now: $22.49 Was: $24.99
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Eve Pownall Award (ages 0-18)

WINNER

  1. Peculiar Parents
    Peculiar Parents
    Now: $26.99 Was: $29.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. A Loo of One's Own
    A Loo of One's Own
    Now: $24.29 Was: $26.99
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HONOUR BOOK

  1. Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles
    Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles
    Now: $29.69 Was: $32.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. There's a Prawn in Parliament House - The Kids' Guide to Australia's Amazing Democracy
    There's a Prawn in Parliament House - The Kids' Guide to Australia's Amazing Democracy
    $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Ningaloo
    Ningaloo
    Now: $26.99 Was: $29.99
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SHORTLIST

SHADOWER'S CHOICE WINNER

  1. The Thylacine and the Time Machine
    The Thylacine and the Time Machine
    Now: $16.19 Was: $17.99
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CBCA New Illustrator Award (ages 0-18)

WINNER

  1. A Loo of One's Own
    A Loo of One's Own
    Now: $24.29 Was: $26.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas
    Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas
    $26.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Beyond the Shore
    Beyond the Shore
    $26.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Prayer for a River
    Prayer for a River
    $24.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. A Farm by the Sea
    A Farm by the Sea
    $26.99
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SHORTLIST

  1. Being Indy
    Being Indy
    Now: $26.95 Was: $29.95
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Find out more about the CBCA Awards at their official website here.