About the Children's Book Council of Australia
Our Purpose
To enrich young lives through Australian stories.
Our Vision
To see 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.
Our Core Values
EQUITY
DIVERSITY
QUALITY
INTEGRITY
RESPECT
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 presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature.
The CBCA was founded in 1945 in a when Australian children’s books were few, and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. The following year, 1946 the The Book of the Year Awards, an annual award to promote books of high literary and artistic quality was established. These awards are now the most influential and highly respected in Australia.
Each year, across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating Children's Book Week ®. Throughout the year, the CBCA works in partnership with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers and other organisations in the children’s book world to bring words, images and stories into the hearts and minds of children and adults.
Australian children’s literature enriches our nation and reaches children across the world through international editions.
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.
In 2015, the CBCA celebrated 70 years of promoting and supporting the best of Australian literature for young people, and we look forward to celebrating our 80th in the coming years.
