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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.