Book an Adventure in 2025!

We’re thrilled to introduce you to the talented Jess McGeachin, winner of the 2023 CBCA Book of the Year Award Eve Pownall for his gorgeous Deep, published by Welbeck in 2022. This year’s theme Book an Adventure ties the exploratory aspirations of the artist and our invitation to join us in celebrating 80 years of Children’s Book Week®. Come on an adventure with us in 2025 as we travel across lands, time, and memories.

Enjoy Jess’ Book an Adventure for Children’s Book Week® theme announcement!

Thank you for making the 2024 Children’s Book Week® a magical success! Special thanks to Jess Racklyeft and her mesmerising imagery that brought our 2024 theme Reading is Magic stunningly to life. To everyone who shared a children’s book this Children’s Book Week®, or to those who still have celebrations planned, we hope the experience was magic!

Children’s Book Week® in 2025 is 16–23 August. #CBCA2025 #CBCA80Years

Don’t miss exploring and celebrating the books that make this year’s CBCA Book of the Year Award Winners and Honours lists. As part of this year’s announcement the Sun Project: Shadow Judging Book of the Year Winners will also be released. Are there any matching results between our qualified judges and the voices from the hands of those the books were intended?

See all the 2024 Winner and Honour books.

2024 Sun Project: results are in!

Young voices are welcome here

This year’s Sun Project: Shadow Judging Book of the Year Winners have been announced. Visit our Winners Page to see the Shadowers’ choice against the qualified judges decisions.

Want to learn more about this growing program or register your group’s vote? Visit the Sun Project: Shadow Judging website.

2025 entry closes November 30

2024 is slipping away. If you missed entering the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Award while the Early Bird entry fee was active that’s OK. The cut-off date to accept entries is 30 November. If you have plans to enter the prestigious Australian children’s book awards now is the time.

Even if you don’t have physical copies from the printer in your hands you can still complete an entry. All physical copies must be received by the final entry cut-off date 30 November, unless otherwise arranged.

Our purpose

Our vision

Our mission

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.

The CBCA is made up of state branches, that work to promote literature and literacy in their state. The branches each send a representative to the judging panel for the Book of the Year awards.

Members of the CBCA’s National Board are either nominated by their state/territory branches or sit as independent directors.

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.

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.

Awards Foundation Benefactors

Major Donors

Australia Post · Jill B Bruce · Sandy Campbell · CBCA ACT Branch · CBCA SA Branch · CBCA VIC Branch · CBCA WA Branch · Era Publications · Five Mile Press · Libby Gleeson AM · Bob Graham · Hachette Children’s Books Australia · Hardie Grant Egmont · HarperCollins Publishers Australia · Ipswich District Teacher-Librarians' Network · The James N Kirby Foundation · Kinross-Wolaroi School · Koala Books · The Library Board of Queensland · Robin Moncrieff Morrow AM · Angela Namoi · Northern Territory Government · Parents & Boys at Sydney Grammar Edgecliff Prep School · Penguin Books Australia · Random House Australia · Emily Rodda (Jennifer Rowe AC) · Gillian Rubinstein · SA Dept of the Arts & Cultural Development · Gail Spiers · Myrtle Spiers · Cathie Tasker · University of Queensland Press · Julie Vivas · Walker Books Australia · Margaret Wild · Sue Williams