Children's Book Council Awards 2026

The Annual Children's Book Council Awards 2026

The winners and Honour Books for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards were announced on Friday 21 August at an in-person event at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney. My personal congratulations to all the remarkable creators and publishers bringing Australian stories to life for children.

 Overall Book of the Year Award Winner 2026

The Judges this year declared that the overall 'Book of the Year, across all categories was....  'Once I was a Giant', 'Zeno Sworder' and 'Thames & Hudson'.  

They declared that: 

"Once I was a Giant is a visually breathtaking, thought-provoking story that sparks the imagination while remaining rooted in the essential truth of how vital trees are to our survival. It begins with a writer struggling for inspiration who is stunned when his pencil says ‘Hello.’ There are so many layers in this masterfully crafted tale that celebrates hope and renewal and prompts us to reflect on our connection to the world around us – especially trees." 

 

This is Zeno's third CBCA award! 

Growing up in Bendigo, Zeno Sworder spent a lot of time outdoors. 

He told the ABC "My dad wasn't a big fan of technology, so we had no car, no television, no screens in the house". 

"I spent all my time wandering outside … I would climb all the trees in my neighbourhood."

He shared that in his street at the top of his street, there was a big tree that stood above all else. It has lots of branches that were the perfect to climb. He shared that"

"I spent a lot of time up in that tree, and I would often talk to it,"

These memories were part of the inspiration Sworder's latest picture book, 'Once I Was a Giant' is about a tree that is cut down and turned into a pencil. A 'big' pencil? You'll need to read the book to find out more. But in the broad, the book is about the relationship we can have to varied forms of life. 

It's a book that he says "honour[s] the relationship that people can have with different forms of life".

Once I Was a Giant is one of the winners at the 2026 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards, taking home the prize for Picture Book of the Year.

The judges described the book — which also won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for children's literature and Book of the Year and Children's Picture Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards — as "a wonderful mixture of the sophisticated and complex" issues and concerns. 

Book of the year 'Older Readers'.  

  

 

The judges decision for the book of the year for older readers was 'Darkest Night, Brightest Star'. They described this as:

 

"An authentic, heartfelt, and beautifully written coming-of-age story that looks deeply at toxic masculinity from a male perspective." The story centres on Morgan, a 13-year-old protagonist. He is unaware of the issues in his world, and he develops his own dreams independent of his father’s hopes and dreams for him. Morgan is a child who with a child’s strength seeks to grow and does the work his father should have done. 

 

I have deep connections to this book. I was raised in a family where my parents were alcoholics for most of my early years (0-17). With my older sister we endured a great deal, and learnt to support one another and seek the refuge of our maternal grandparents in all of our holidays. Enjoy!

 

Honour Books   

 

What a wealth of wonderful books we also have in our Honour Books this year. The judges must have had quite a tough time deciding on these books from so many worthy books.

This CBCA Honour YA novel is about a deadly incident in an old school. 'Agathion College' is an exclusive boarding school, but it's history is hidden in mystery, demonic only to find that it's built over centuries of secrets, and demonic magic.

The CBCA committee writes: "Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird." After a deadly incident that destroys her only friendship, she needs a fresh start. The book has been applauded by many, including 'Books & Publishing' that concludes:

'A must-read for fans of magical realism, fantasy and stories with demons, Unhallowed Halls is a gripping, unputdownable read from start to finish. Recommended for readers who enjoy works by Leigh Bardugo or Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series.' - Books & Publishing 

2026 CBCA Older Readers & longlisted for the 2026 'Indi' Book Awards, Young Adult Award 

 

This is an intriguing and engaging book for older readers.

 

"Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird. And after the deadly incident that destroyed her only friendship at her old school, she needs a fresh start." 

She is sent to 'Agathion College'. This is just what Page had always wanted. To attend a school safe haven, with wood-panelled halls and dusty books. And it is situated on a remote Scottish moor. Wonderful! She has a close group of friends. Cyrus, Ren, Gideon, Lacey and Oak. They help her to feel at home at Agathion. But there is just one problem, they're all keeping secrets from her. She isn't aware at first that her perfect new school has a crooked foundation, rooted in an ancient clandestine society with rumoured ties to demonic magic. She is to learn that not everyone at Agathion is who they say they are.

 

Agathion claims to teach its students history, but perhaps some histories are better left buried. 

 

Critics write: 

'A wonderfully captivating dark academia fantasy from the award-winning author of A Hunger of Thorns and Deep is the Fen.'

It is a 'Moody, gripping dark academia steeped in magic.' - Kirkus Starred review.

Book of the year 'Younger Readers'. The Winner is 'Inked'

"Inked is a dynamic work, shortlisted because the atmospheric colour, styling and detail within the visual elements provide such a natural background rhythm to thoughtful prose and imaginative presentation of themes."

Karen Watson's book will engage many readers, especially those who are willing to explore the creative and the intriguing.

And the 'Runner Up' is Run 

'Run' written by Sarah Armstrong is another fine book in this year's awards. The judges must have spent much time weighing up the considerable merits of both books. Hence, we have a 'Winner' and an 'Honour' book! Both are excellent!

 

  

This is an exhilarating suspense thriller that was named as a 2026 CBCA Honour Book & WINNER of the CBCA Shadow Judging for Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

It was written by Australian author Sarah Armstrong. It delivers 'an this electrifying middle-grade novel about 12-year-old Cas'. Cas runs away to avoid a reunion with his estranged father. As one who struggled to deal with anger of my own father, it speaks to me directly as one who lived in a home where there was fear at times.

Cas heads away from home one day, but finds himself lost in the wilderness. He is "completely alone and without help". Or is he?

He thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn't take into account the possibility of becoming lost in the Australian bush. He finds himself alone and afraid. He is at the point of losing all hope when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He won't survive without their help. But when he discovers they are also on the run from something, he begins to realize his problems are just beginning!

This book has been given many awards including:

WINNER: CBCA Shadow Judges Book of the Year for Younger Readers 

Honour Book - CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers

Shortlisted - David Award for Children's Crime Fiction 

• Shortlisted: Davitt Award for Children's Crime Fiction
• Shortlisted: R.E.A.L. Children's Choice Book Awards
• Longlisted: ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children   

2026 Book of the Year Award 

Early Childhhod   

 

Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood

The Emperor’s Egg, Author Rae Tan
Lothian Children’s Books

The judges declared that 'The Emperor’s Egg' was shortlisted for its seamless combination of "compelling storytelling, emotional depth and striking illustrations." They also singled out the way it used more subtle skills, including "pacing, character-driven dialogue" and great overall production. 

They also singled out the inclusion of themes and attention to matters of "integrity, patience and responsibility". These qualities lead to significant appeal to younger children. This is a great early book to read to toddlers or to use as an early reading experience for 5 year olds.

The Thing About Christmas - Jo Dabrowski &
Briony Stewart 

Little Book Press

'The Thing About Christmas' is a warm and joyful picture book that reminds us of what really matters during the holiday season.

This lovely little book would be a great gift at Christmas. "It celebrates love, togetherness and the magic of making the season your own – no matter how big or small."
It would be ideal for families with little children just starting to understand that Christmas is not just about them getting things. It also is about special traditions or cherishing old ones.

"There's no right or wrong, whatever you do – Christmas in your home is unique, just like you".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book of the Year Award: Eve Pownal

Peculiar Parents is an award-winning children's book written by Dr. Stephanie Owen Reeder and illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak, published by NLA Publishing. The book explores the quirky, funny, and unusual parenting, courting, and breeding habits of 60 native Australian animals. [1, 2, 3]

The book is celebrated for its inclusion of historical taxonomy drawings paired with modern watercolors: [1, 2]