The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced the winners of the CBCA 2023 Book of the Year Awards. These prestigious annual awards continue to celebrate and honour quality Australian literature for young people.
Entries across the six categories presented powerful, polished, and professionally produced books that enrich the imaginations of readers. Our publishers also deserve this accolade.
In 2023 the CBCA judges acknowledged powerful new voices, literary forms and artists presenting challenging themes including immigration, illness, and concern for our environment. This incredible array of talent ensures our quality award-winning books will create discussion and debate as much as it will be cause for celebration.
CBCA National Chair Wendy Rapee said, “We are thrilled. In 2023 particularly we want to champion these powerful stories because they respect our young readers and the value they place on strong friendships and family bonds.”
For our local author and illustrator, the judges commented as follows.
The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood: Where the Lyrebird Lives written by Vikki Conley and illustrated by Max Hamilton
This book delights and entices from beginning to end. Lush green fills the pages, beautifully capturing the setting of cool climate forests. The sparse descriptive narrative sets a gentle pace and reads aloud well. Readers are encouraged to slow down, listen and look. Metaphors and similes add richness, and the enlarged text for action words and onomatopoeia increases engagement. A well-crafted narrative that encourages children to read aloud themselves.
For the full list of CBCA Book of the Year 2023 Award and Honour books, visit www.cbca.org.au
