'Theme - Read Grow Inspire'
As usual, the Children’s Book Council Awards in Australia has had a large number of very worthy books submitted. Sadly, only some can be named as winners and honour books. The CBCA also publishes a list of other 'Notable Books'. This year I have reviewed books for all categories.
CBCA Book Week runs from 19-25 August. In 2023 the theme is "Read, grow,
inspire".
1. Older Readers (Ages 13-18 years)
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and
should be appropriate in style and content for readers in their secondary years
of schooling.
Note: Books in this category are for mature readers and
some may deal with particularly challenging themes including violence and
suicide. Parental guidance is recommended.
And the winner is...?
Neverlanders by Tom Taylor (Penguin Random House Australia)
"A contemporary 'found family' tale embedded within
the metatextuality of a Peter Pan narrative with a clever, action-oriented
storyline and gloriously rich illustrations. Discerning readers will unpack the
hints of the adults' destruction of the world, parental failure, gun violence
and domestic violence to add a more serious dimension to the fantasy plot. A
stunning book with a potent message wrapped up in a ripping good yarn
package."
Neverland has become a war zone and it will need a group of lost
teenagers to change things. This is a young adult graphic novel series from
#1 New York Times
bestselling Australian author Tom Taylor and powerhouse Australian comic
artist Jon Sommariva!
Scott Snyder of the New York Times says and Eisner award-winning author of "Batman" says it is:
"Epically imaginative and strikingly fresh."
Similarly, Jay Kristoff the bestselling author of 'Empire of the Vampire' and 'The Nevernight Chronicle' says:
"The work of a master at the height of his craft. There is no one out there right now doing it like Tom Taylor. NO ONE."
Honour Books
'Completely Normal (and Other Lies)', by Biffy James, Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
'The Other Side of Tomorrow' by Hayley Lawrence
2. The CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and
should be appropriate in style and content for readers from the middle to upper
primary years (aged 7-12). And the winner is...
'Runt' by Craig Silvey
Winner Younger Readers (Ages 7-12 years)
'Runt' is a dog with a mind of its own. It will only obey Annie’s commands when nobody else is
watching. But Runt has a chance to become the fastest dog in the world. Annie and Runt must beat the odds to save her farm. Runt is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of
kindness, friendship, hurdles, hoops, tunnels, see-saws, being yourself and
bringing out the best in others.
Annie lives in a country town with her best friend,
an adopted stray dog called Runt. After
years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, just right for herding
runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family’s home at
risk, Annie directs Runt’s extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit. They set out to win the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog
Show in London.
The
plot and characters are straightforward in 'Runt', but there are deeper
issues that only older readers will fully grasp. It is strong, funny
and engaging, but it might also evoke a reflection on the meaning and
purpose of life. What are the things that really matter? The story touches on the challenges of country life. It is a wonderful story about the
human spirit, as well as the love of family love and the need for the support of others.
Honour Books
3. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood (0-6)
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be
appropriate in style and content for children who are at prereading or
early stages of reading. Ages 0-6 years. And the winner is?
'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and
illustrated by Max Hamilton
"High
in the mountains through the sleepy clouds. Deep in the forest past the
chiming birds. Will we see the lyrebird? I don’t know. Tip-toe,
tip-toe."The
beauty of the Australian rainforest and the magic of family-time come
together in this lyrical and delightful story of intergenerational
connection, habitat and adventure.
This is a
wonderful book that will delight. The illustrations are wonderful and the
text well crafted. The reader is drawn into the story, and won't escape!
"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."
Honour Books
4. The CBCA Picture Book of the Year
And the winner is:
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
This book
celebrates how many immigrant families deny self to help give their
children the best chance in life. Immigrant children will recognize this
theme in their own lives.
"What shape does love take? And what happens when
your parents sacrifice a part of themselves for you? In this
heartbreaking and heart-warming story, CBCA award-winner Zeno Sworder
reflects on his own migrant parents’ sacrifices to create a universal
story about what it means to give to those you love. Drawing from the
sacrifices his Chinese mother made to raise her young family in a small
country town, Sworder’s drawings are full of beautiful detail and
fairytale settings that explore his own journey from child to parent.
With humour and pathos."
Children of immigrant families will be touched by this book and hopefully see parallels with the sacrifice of their own families.
Honour Books
Entries in this category should be books which have the prime intention
of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative
presentation, interpretation and variation of style. Ages 0-18 years. The winner is:
DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds by Jess McGeachin
This imaginatively presented hardback reference book
seamlessly brings together a large variety of information about the unseen
elements of Earth’s sea and land life, outer space and the human body. The
integration of text and illustrations is very cleverly managed, and the layout
of the content works both as a dip-in-dip-out resource, as well as a
read-through narrative. The front cover is incredibly appealing, and overall,
this non-stereotypical information book is of a very high quality that will
sustain readers’ interest throughout.
Honour Books
6. The CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Entries in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be
appropriate in style and content for children who are at prereading or
early stages of reading. Ages 0-6 years. And the winner is?
'Where the Lyrebird Lives' written by Vikki Conley and
illustrated by Max Hamilton
"High
in the mountains through the sleepy clouds. Deep in the forest past the
chiming birds. Will we see the lyrebird? I don’t know. Tip-toe,
tip-toe."The
beauty of the Australian rainforest and the magic of family-time come
together in this lyrical and delightful story of inter-generational
connection, habitat and adventure.
This is a
wonderful book that will delight. The illustrations are superb and the
text well-crafted. The reader is drawn into the story.
"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."
Honour Books
'Snap!' written and illustrated by Anna Walker
7. The Eve Pownall Award (Non-fiction)
'DEEP: Dive into Hidden Worlds' by Jess McGeachin
"This imaginatively presented hardback reference book
seamlessly brings together a large variety of information about the unseen
elements of Earth’s sea and land life, outer space and the human body. The
integration of text and illustrations is very cleverly managed, and the layout
of the content works both as a dip-in-dip-out resource, as well as a
read-through narrative. The front cover is incredibly appealing, and overall,
this non-stereotypical information book is of a very high quality that will
sustain readers’ interest throughout."
Honour Books
8. The CBCA Awards for New Illustrator
The award for the best New Illustrator was won by Sally Soweol Han for "her complimentary
visual storytelling in 'Tiny Wonders'. This
is an excellent award that recognises an new children's book
illustrator. Sally Soweol is a gifted artist, who I am sure will
illustrate and write many more wonderful children's books.