CBCA 2012 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has just announced the winners and honour books for 2012. Congratulations to all winners, honour books and those shortlisted. Children's literature is alive and well!


Book of the Year: Older Readers
(These books are for mature readers)

Gardner, Scot The Dead I Know, Allen and Unwin


Honour Books: Older Readers
Condon, Bill A Straight Line to My Heart, Allen and Unwin
Newton, Robert When We Were Two Penguin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)



Book of the Year: Younger Readers
(These books are intended for independent younger readers)

Constable, Kate Crow Country Allen and Unwin


Honour Books: Younger Readers
French, Jackie Nanberry: Black Brother White Angus and Robertson, Harper Collins
Green, Susan The Truth About Verity Sparks Walker Books Australia



Book of the Year: Early Childhood
(Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages)

Bland, Nick, Illus: Freya Blackwood The Runaway Hug Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia

Honour Books: Early Childhood
Hartnett, Sonya Come Down, Cat! Puffin Books,
Illus: Lucia Masciullo Penguin Group (Australia)
Honey, Elizabeth That's Not a Daffodil! Allen and Unwin


Picture Book of the Year
(Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. Some books may be for mature readers)
Arranged by Illustrator

Graham, Bob A Bus Called Heaven Walker Books Australia

Honour Books: Picture Book of the Year
Brooks, Ron, Text: Margaret Wild The Dream of the Thylacine Allen and Unwin
Whatley, Bruce, Text: Jackie French Flood Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia



Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
(Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years range. Some books may be for mature readers)

Lester, Alison and Tulloch, Coral One Small Island Penguin Group (Australia)

Honour Books: Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
Do, Anh and Suzanne, Ill. Bruce Whatley, The Little Refugee Allen and Unwin
Qld Art Gallery Surrealism for Kids Qld Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art

In a previous BWB post, I had a stab at picking the winners. See how I did!

Children's Book Council of Australia Awards 2012

The 2012 Children's Book Council of Australia Awards Notables and Shortlist have just been announced. The lists include some new faces and some old favourites and congratulations to all nominees who have produced world class literature for our children.

I'll stick out my neck and have a go at predicting who will win in each category come August.

Older Readers:
A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon (Allen & Unwin)
Brilliant characters, witty dialogue and perceptions about life, death, friendship and family. Bill Condon gets better and better and this absolute gem of a story proves it.

Read the Buzz Words Books review here.



Younger Readers:
Crow Country by Kate Constable (Allen and Unwin)

A compelling time slip novel set in the town of Boort, Victoria combining history, Indigenous lore and tackling bigger issues of power and racism. Unique and very Australian. Loved it and have already bought it for half my family.

Read the Buzz Words Books review here.


Early Childhood:
My pick is The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen, illustrated by James Foley (Fremantle Press)
Bravery and imagination, the perfect combination for any child or for any one of us. Beautifully detailed and colourful illustrations delight.

Read the Buzz Words Books review here.

Picture Book:
This one was tricky, a close call between For All Creatures by Glenda Millard, illustrated by Rebecca Cool (Walker Books Australia) and A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham (Walker Books).

I have to give the nod to For All Creatures with its message of gratitude for the gifts of nature. In my review at the time, I said that this beautifully lyrical text accompanied by the visual treat of the bold, naive-like illustrations would win a swag of awards.


Eve Pownall Award for Information Books:
Carole Wilkinson's Fromelles: Australia's Bloodiest Day at War (black dog books) is one that all Australians should read. It is heart-breaking and inspirational at the same time and a reminder of the sacrifice war demands from not only 'our side' and 'our troops' but from all.

Read the Buzz Words Books review here.

Chrichton Award:
Squish Rabbit by Katherine Battersby (University of Queensland Press)
Exquisitely simple and effective illustrations tell this story about friendship for young children.


Read the Buzz Words Books review here.


You can read the full lists here: Notables, Shortlist , Chrichton Shortlist

My predictions are, of course, my personal choice for the best books for children in Australia over the past year. I know I lean towards historical books.

I'd love to hear your predictions.