Margaret Hamilton AM tribute
From the Children's Book Council of Australia Chair, Wendy Rapee.
On November 24, 2022 we lost one the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s foundation stones—Margaret Hamilton AM. Margaret has been our guiding light, our fiercest advocate, our cheer leader, and our intellectual powerhouse. Both the Book of the Year Awards and the CBCA Awards Foundation have grown in stature because of her dedication and unwavering service. The Australian publishing community, and specifically our children’s literature creatives, have been nurtured, mentored and inspired by her razor-sharp mind and focus on producing quality stories for our young Australians. Her legacy is enormous and the CBCA is mindful and dedicated to our responsibility in ensuring its care. Margaret will be missed by us all.
Read our full tribute to Margaret Hamilton AM
2023 Childrens' Book Week® Merchandise Catalogue
Perenial items are on sale, while other products will become available from March 2023, unless otherwise advertised
Our exciting new partnership with SPENCIL has our stationery range on sale direct from Spencil from 1 December 2023. Jump across to their website and take advantage of our beautiful CBCA range for festive season stocking fillers! Spencil.com.au
The CBCA is thrilled to announce the Children's Book Week® theme for 2023.
Brought to you with the illustrative talent of Matt Ottley, the artist behind the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Picture of the Year, "How to Make a Bird", written by Meg McKinlay, and published by Walker Books Australia.
20th anniversary Diary of a Wombat 20c Coin now available
The much anticipated 2023 Royal Australian Mint special limited edition coin is now available for purchase on the CBCA EStore.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the acclaimed and adored children's picture book, "Diary of a Wombat" written by Jackie French and brought to life with Bruce Whatley's masterful hand, this full-colour, 20 cent coin, is a definite keepsake. Stock is limited, especially now that the Mint has a lot of serious coin making to do. So don't be the only one left standing in front of a wishing well with a silver coin that CAN be thrown in!
Great presents for children and grandchildren, collectors, and lovers of Mothball.
Jump across to our online store and grab a collector coin today!
About the Children's Book Council of Australia
Established in 1945, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians.
Our purpose
To enrich young lives through Australian stories.
Our vision
A thriving creative world embracing the transformational power of stories across generations.
Our mission
To connect, communicate, celebrate and advocate for the value of stories.
Book of the Year
In 1946 the CBCA established annual book awards to promote children's books of high literary and artistic quality. These awards are now the most influential and highly respected in Australia.
Children's Book Week®
Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating books, and Australian authors and illustrators. Teachers and librarians conduct activities relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.
Merchandise
The CBCA produces a range of promotional items, including stickers for publishers to place on winning and honour books, and support materials for teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians. The range is always changing and developing.
CBCA Sun Project: Shadow Judging
Launching nationwide in 2022, this innovative program brings Australia's young readers directly into the CBCA Book of the Year Awards conversation. Rolled out through schools, libraries and book clubs, the professionally judged Shortlist is "shadowed" with the same criteria to find the Book of the Year voiced by the target readers themselves.
Donate to our Gift Fund
Throughout the year, we work in partnership with authors, illustrators, publishers and booksellers to bring literature into the hearts and minds of children. Your donation will help us continue this important work.
Reading Time
The CBCA has a strong commitment and a long history of reviewing Australian children's books. For many of the seventy years CBCA has been in existence reviews were presented in our print journal Reading Time.