'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 9 April 2013

CBCA Book of the Year 2013 Shortlist Announcement


I went along to Civic Library in Canberra today for one of my favourite events of the year - the Children's Book Council of Australia Shortlist announcement. Judges from all over Australia were in attendance, along with the divine Boori Monty Pryor, Children's Laureate and other special guests.

Emcee Rosemary Thomas {above, second from right} introduced CBCA President for the ACT, Leanne Barrett {above right} who welcomed guests and honoured the Indigenous landowners of Canberra so eloquently.

We then heard from Vanessa Little, Director of Libraries ACT, who spoke on the connection between books and libraries. She also spoke of the continuing work of Love 2 Read (formally the National Year of Reading).


Next we heard from CBCA National President Angela Briant . . .


. . . and then - my favourite part of the Shortlist Announcement - the involvement of kids. From little poppets to senior students, it was fantastic to hear their thoughts on which books should be shortlisted.


I was so delighted to see a young girl choose Australian Story - what great taste she has. ;)


It was then onto the Real Deal. Each category and the shortlisted books were read out by Vanessa Little and Belle Alderman from the Lu Rees Archive.


And - drum roll, please - here is the 2013 shortlist!

Older Readers Short List 2013
Author Title Publisher ISBN
Grant, Neil The Ink Bridge Allen & Unwin 9781742376691
Lanagan, Margo Sea Hearts Allen & Unwin 9781742375052
MacLeod, Doug The Shiny Guys Penguin Group 9780143565307
Touchell, Dianne Creepy & Maud Fremantle Press 9781921888953
Wakefield, Vikki Friday Brown Text Publishing 9781921922701
Zail, Suzy The Wrong Boy Black Dog Books, Walker Books Australia 9781742031651
These books are for mature readers
Younger Readers Short List 2013
Author Title Publisher ISBN
French, Jackie Pennies for Hitler Angus & Robertson, HarperCollins 9780732292096
French, Simon Other Brother Walker Books Australia 9781921720833
Gleitzman, Morris After Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075447
Hartnett, Sonya Children of the King Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076130
Herrick, Steven Pookie Aleera is Not my Boyfriend University of Queensland Press 9780702249280
Millard, Glenda
Ill. Stephen Michael King
The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk HarperCollins 9780733329838
Intended for independent younger readers.
Early Childhood Short List 2013
Author Title Publisher ISBN
Allen, Emma
Ill. Freya Blackwood
The Terrible Suitcase Scholastic Press, Omnibus Books 9781862919402
Cox, Tania
Ill. Karen Blair
With Nan Windy Hollow Books 9781921136122
DeGennaro, Sue The Pros & Cons of Being a Frog Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742830636
Dubosarsky, Ursula
Ill. Andrew Joyner
Too Many Elephants in This House Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075461
Harris, Christine
Ill. Ann James
It's a Miroocool! Little Hare Books, Hardie Grant Egmont 9781921541018
Walker, Anna Peggy Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742832708
Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages.

Picture Book Short List 2013
Author Title Publisher ISBN
Brooks, Ron
Ill. Julie Hunt
The Coat Allen & Unwin 9781741146059
Goodman, Vivienne
Ill. Margaret Wild
Tanglewood Omnibus Books Scholastic Press 9781862915701
Gordon, Gus Herman and Rosie Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076031
Lester, Alison Sophie Scott Goes South Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670880683
Mullins, Patricia
Ill. Glenda Millard
Lightning Jack Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781741693911
Wilson, Mark
Ill. Jackie French
A Day to Remember Angus & Robertson, Harper Collins 9780732293604
Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years range (Some books may be for mature readers).
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books Short List 2013
Author Title Publisher ISBN
Cheng, Christopher & Jackson, Mark Python Walker Books, Australia 9781921529603
Kerin, Jackie
Ill. Gouldthorpe, Peter
Lyrebird! A True Story Museum Victoria 9781921833045
Murray, Kirsty Topsy-turvy World: How Australian Animals Puzzled Early Explorers National Library of Australia 9780642277497
Queensland Art Gallery Portrait of Spain for Kids Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art 9781921503467
Weidenbach, Kristin
Ill. Ide, Timothy
Tom the Outback Mailman Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia 9780734412249
Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. (Some books may be for mature readers).

Huge congrats to everyone who shortlisted! most especially my fellow National Library of Australia author, Kirsty Murray, for her stunning book Topsy-Turvy World and the gorgeous Andy Joyner (who I am working with on a book!) for his fantabulous Too Many Elephants in this House! book with Ursula Dubosarsky.

The other reason I love events like this - beyond the joy of revelling in great books - is that I get to spend time with really beautiful, supportive and gorgeous people. It was a joy to catch up with so many wonderful peeps, including my gorgeous author pal Tracey Hawkins and the truly divine Boori Monty Pryor, who is in town for a whirlwind visit.

Make sure you get your hands on the shortlisted and notable books before 23 August, when the winners will be announced. Good luck, everyone!

- KBR Founder, Tania McCartney