Tasmanian Creators Uncover the Facts

We are so lucky in Tasmania to have such wonderfully talented children’s writers and illustrators. Discover the fascinating books included in the CBCA 2025 Eve Pownall Notable List several of which also explore local Tasmanian themes.

In defining submission requirements to the Eve Pownall Awards, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) states that “entries in this category should be books with the prime purpose of documenting factual material. Consideration should be given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style” (CBCA 2025, Eve Pownall Award). Tasmanian creators had great success this year with a total of five books nominated to the 2025 Notable List within this category. Congratulations to Christina Booth (in collaboration with Claire Saxby), Jennifer Cossins, Fiona Levings, Monica Reeve and Coral Tulloch (in collaboration with Alison Lester) for achieving this recognition. 

 

Christina Booth has partnered with Claire Saxby, well known for her literary nonfiction approach in the Nature Storybook series, in Wedge-tailed Eagle. Saxby writes with sensitivity and accuracy in this story of a mother eagle, her mate and the challenges of raising her two eaglets. Booth’s exquisite illustrations capture the majesty and beauty of these winged hunters and the care and gentleness evident when caring for their young. The placement of text within gloriously textured full colour spreads draws the eye to associated text as well as capturing the vastness of the distances the birds travel, their keenness of eye and the feathered details of both the adult birds and the eaglets.

Jennifer Cossins has had numerous successes with her animal information books, and Extreme Animal Facts lives up to her high standards. Stunning design and intriguing organisation has assured that this information book goes well beyond ‘the fastest, the biggest and the smallest’ with original and intriguing groupings from ‘bizarre defence mechanisms’ to ‘the strongest bite’. Including examples from all the classifications – mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and other creatures including insects and invertebrates ensure variety and wide appeal. Each unique grouping of creatures is organised on carefully coloured pages with complementary heading colours in attractive stand out font. This ensures to a unified and cohesive package of fascinating and bizarre facts.

 

Fiona Levings is an author, illustrator and geologist and these three areas of expertise come together harmoniously in her latest book Before the Mountain had a Name. This fascinating and cleverly designed book tells the story of kunanyi/Wellington from its earliest creation to current times. Each double page opens up to show the geological changes from when the mountain first emerges from the Permian Sea to current times. The changing landscape is also illustrated showing the evolution of plants and animals and a cutaway perspective across the bottom pages reflects change over time, with the build-up of sedimentary layers with appropriate fossils nestled within the layers of rock as the mountain grows.

 

In Too Many Tigers, Monica Reeve harnesses simple repetitive text of “too many…” to present the effects of white settlement on Tasmanian shores in the 1800s through to the demise of the last thylacine. Her vibrant multi-media art work includes cut paper collage and rich pencil colouring to portray stunning landscapes and the inevitable impact of white settlement on natural habitats. Through carefully placed date stamps, the inclusion of simple signage and illustrated text for emphasis, the tragic history of the thylacine unfolds. The brevity of the text is amplified by the stunning art work in this quality addition to books about the thylacine and misplaced priorities. 

 

Renowned Tasmanian illustrator Coral Tulloch, join forces with Alison Lester to again share their love of the vast and beautiful Antarctica in Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica. This most recent reflection on their past expeditions is told in the first person by each creator as they share memories, experiences, knowledge and understanding gleaned from their frozen voyages. These personal recounts are also interspersed with historical and scientific information including quoted passages and images. This beautifully produced, lengthy picture book is superbly illustrated by Tulloch who has brought the ice, sea, animals, birds, and terrain to life with both detailed illustrations and imaginative interpretations that capture the cold (some pages may even illicit a shiver) and immensity of these icy land and seascapes. Complementary photographs and at times, playful illustrations, add variety to display and inform the reader about the abundant wildlife and changing environment.

 

Jennie Bales

CBCA Tasmania Social Media Coordinator, retired teacher librarian and academic… and a reader!

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Tasmania Reads: A Week of Storytelling, Connection, and Joy

The last week has seen many Tasmanians reading here, there and everywhere as active participants in Tasmania Reads week. Read on for a snapshot of reading experiences of students at The Hutchins School.

Tasmania Reads is a highlight of our school year—a time to come together as a community and celebrate the joy of reading. Throughout the week, students and staff immersed themselves in a variety of activities, with a special focus on the incredible talent of Tasmanian authors and illustrators.

From guest readers popping into classrooms to special events with storytellers and authors, the school was buzzing with literary excitement! Some of the standout moments included:

📖 A special visit from debut author Sashee Johnson, who shared her beautiful book Time for a Walk with students.

🎤 Tasmanian Aboriginal storytelling with NITA Education staff, offering rich cultural stories and perspectives.

📚 A student trip to Hobart Bookshop, where young readers selected exciting new books for our library.

🚶‍♂️ Story Walk sessions with a neighbouring school, bringing stories to life beyond the classroom.

📖 Tamas from Roaming Trees captivated students with his oral storytelling performances.

🏆 Lunchtime competitions like Match the Teacher to Their Favourite Book, Guess the Shredded Book, House Trivia, and Blackout Poetry kept the literary fun going.

🌿 Buddy reading sessions in the bush, where students enjoyed stories surrounded by nature.

📚 Staff Book Club, which first launched during Tasmania Reads 2023, continues to thrive as a twice-a-term tradition.

While these activities made for a fantastic week, the heart of Tasmania Reads is, of course, the simple joy of reading itself. And what better way to celebrate than by sharing what our community is currently enjoying?

Scroll down to peek at the books captivating our students and staff right now…

Anna Davidson

Twitter - @davisonteach
Junior School Teacher Librarian, avid reader (mad for Middle Grade Fiction), dog lover, yogi, nature lover, tea drinker

Why We Still Hunger for The Hunger Games

Are you a fan of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series? Currently immersed in Sunrise on the Reaping, Lyndon Riggall shares some thoughts on what makes  a series such as this so popular and long lasting.

This week marks the publication of Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, a book that Goodreads defines as book ‘0.5’ in the Hunger Games series, while the other most recent entry, 2020’s The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, has officially been designated ‘Book 0’ in a numbering system that seems to be becoming increasingly outrageous. If anyone needs me over the next few days, chances are you’ll find me accompanied by it everywhere I go, as I take the audio version with me alongside runs, household chores, and on the car rides to football games and a wedding. I’m excited. While the peacekeeping section of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lost me a little in both its book and film iterations, I couldn’t help but feel that Collins was continuing to grow in the confidence, beauty, tragedy and lyricism of her writing—particularly true in a novel so tied to music as an artform. I loved it, and if the public opinion of the first few days of reading are anything to go by, Sunrise on the Reaping may well surpass it.

In general, the ongoing success of the Hunger Games series may be the last great ‘event’ of children’s publishing that I can recall. For adults, perhaps, the dazzling popularity of Rebecca Yaros’ Fourth Wing novels and the ravenous mob who clamour for each instalment might indicate that there is still hope for such phenomena in publishing. Nevertheless, children’s books are coming and going with very little fanfare, and even authors who sell millions of copies don’t seem to justify the midnight release, the costume contests and the internet blackouts they once did. Somehow, however, The Hunger Games is still fighting. I saw this week a suggested series of stickers, profile pictures and stories for social media declaring, DO NOT DISTURB: I’m Reading Sunrise on the Reaping, while the first novel in the series (number 1, not 0 or 0.5,) is set to be presented on stage in October this year at the Canary Wharf Theatre in London. In a world in which even the most popular children’s authors, such J.K. Rowling, have become divisive with their public presence and views, Collins appears by all accounts to be playing things slowly, steadily and carefully, continuing to elegantly manage the enormous legacy of a story that has captivated old and young alike for decades now, and trying to make very sure that she doesn’t put a foot wrong along the way.

 

How very Katniss of her.

Philip Womack of the Guardian describes the Sunrise on the Reaping as not an easy read. ‘The stench of death is everywhere,’ he writes, ‘and the tone of the whole is tragic rather than triumphant.’ The blunt way in which Collins writes about death, and particularly the deaths of children, is something that I think about a lot at the moment. Recently I’ve been re-reading John Marsden’s Tomorrow series, which offers a similar level of sophistication of theme and a brutal, unflinching honesty about the worst of what may happen to young people. These are books that are not afraid of dealing with death and don’t shy away from the reality of it. Even as a young man reading the first book in the Hunger Games series, I remember being as shocked as I was compelled by the simple, savage nature of the way that many of the tributes lost their lives. I think that is part of what has always made the series so powerful: in a world designed so much around the idea that children must be kept safe, it dares to allow them—it forces them—to face danger and fear with nothing to protect them. It is as liberating as it is confronting, and the way the novels and films explore politics, performance, poverty and the power of the media is similarly incisive and insightful. Like so many stories that are designed to serve as warnings for where the world might end up if it continues on its current path, it is both potent and devastating that The Hunger Games seems to become more and more relevant with each passing day.

 

It is tempting in the modern world to think that Dystopian fiction has had its time and place, and that it might best serve us to let it go and to focus instead on what might uplift us. Surely, many argue, the world is dark enough without us insisting on exploring it further in fiction. But The Hunger Games still resonates in my mind for two reasons: one, because it allows us to explore the worst of what we might become, and, hopefully, to avoid it. The second reason it is still so resonant is that there is light in the darkness of these stories. Even in a Dystopia we have hope. Even in the worst of all possible worlds, there are heroes. That is why we still hunger for The Hunger Games.

 

This week brings us Sunrise on the Reaping. If the ravenous appetite for the latest installment is anything to go by, I wouldn’t expect a sunset any time soon.

 

Lyndon Riggall is a writer, teacher, and co-president of the Tamar Valley Writers Festival. He is author of the picture books Becoming Ellie and Tamar the Thief. You can find out more about him at www.lyndonriggall.com or on social media @lyndonriggall.

Celebrate Tasmania Reads Week, 23 - 29 March 2025

It’s time to plan for this great annual event to celebrate reading. Tasmania Reads Week, hosted by Libraries Tasmania has some great ideas and resources to get you inspired.

Let’s celebrate reading together!

Join the fun with Tasmania Reads Week, from 23 to 29 March 2025

Tasmania Reads Week is a celebration of reading and stories in all forms, featuring community pop-ups, author talks, story times, poetry readings, and other reading-based activities in libraries and community spaces throughout the state.

 

Tasmania Reads celebrates Tasmanian writers, authors, illustrators, and creators and highlights the connections and benefits that can be found through stories and reading.

There are many opportunities for Tasmanians to read and to connect with local stories during Tasmania Reads Week, visit libraries.tas.gov.au/Tasmania-reads to find an event near you.

Get involved!

To get involved in Tasmania Reads Week 2025 you can: 

• attend a Tasmania Reads event 
• join your library.
• start or join a book club.
• spend time reading – alone, aloud, or with friends.

If you are a teacher, we have special activity resources just for you – email us at tasmania.reads@libraries.tas.gov.au for more information!

There are also numerous events in different locations across the state and also partner events. An online webinar on Illustrating with Tony Flowers is being offered for kids hosted by UCTV forMarch 27. Registration is now open.

What will you be reading for Tasmania Reads Week? 

Lily Fletcher Stojcevski
Reporting and Policy Officer, Libraries Tasmania

W: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesTasmania/ 

The Adventure Begins with the Night of the Notables

Great adventures require planning. This week’s announcement of the CBCA Notable Book Awards is the first step in planning your Book Week adventure and joining in CBCA’s 80^th birthday celebrations.
Whoopee!

The adventure has begun! 

 

This week heralded the first step in building anticipation for the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year announcement on August 15, and, to kick off Book Week. From the many, many books that judges read, the Notable lists represent those that the judges felt were high quality examples of Australian children’s books published in 2024. The Night of the Notables included a video show with famous Australian book creators providing an introduction to the categories followed by a visual display of the book covers. Jess McGeachin, author and illustrator and this year’s designer of the art work to support the Book an Adventure theme, introduces the presentation. The words of wisdom and support from Briony Stewart, Shaun Tan and Meg McKinlay also provide young fans an opportunity to connect to familiar authors. Tristan Bancks concludes the presentation with information about the Shadow Judging. The Notable lists provide a long list of books in each category that are well worth spending time with – for reading, sharing and adding to collections. From these the coveted Short Lists are identified and these will be announced on March 25. 

 

With the announcement of the 2025 Notable books the long lead into Book Week and the Book of the Year celebrations has begun. How marvellous to have such early insights into those books that the judges have read, pondered and debated. A guide to the 2025 Notables is available from the CBCA eStore with short reflections on each title across all the categories. You can also search for reviews on CBCA's online review journal Reading Time. For educators, it is time to start reading and to explore the possibilities of involving a group of children in the Shadow Judging Book of the Year Awards program so that you are ready to start once the Shortlist is announced. The video and Tristan’s enthusiasm are sure to capture the interest of many readers.

 

Having a long lead time allows keen readers to explore the longer lists and then narrow their focus on short listed titles well in advance of Book Week. This enables lovers of children’s literature time to engage with and discuss a breadth of books and ensure that young people are provided with a range of quality titles to read themselves, or have read to them. If you are wondering just where to start, I highly recommend exploring the Tasmanian inclusions for amazing stories, stunning illustrations and engaging and fascinating information. Congratulations to our Tasmanian Notable inclusions:

 

Older Readers 

• My Brother, Finch by Kate Gordon (Riveted Press)

Younger Readers 

• Small Acts by Kate Gordon & Kate Foster (Walker Books Australia)

Early Childhood 

• Sky Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy (Magabala Books)

Eve Pownall 

• Before the Mountain had a Name by Fiona Levings (Forty South Publishing)
• Extreme Animal Facts by Jennifer Cossins (Lothian Children’s Books)
• Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults)
• Too Many Tigers by Monica Reeve (Forty South Publishing) 
• Wedge-tailed Eagle by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Christina Booth (Walker Books Australia) 

Jennie Bales

CBCA Tasmania Social Media Coordinator, retired teacher librarian and academic. Reader!

Finding books that are just the right fit

Choosing the right books to nurture a love of reading is vital and this week’s guest author taps into personal and professional knowledge gained as a bookseller and a parent. Read on for some great insights and suggested titles to whet the reading appetite for different aged readers.

As a bookseller and a parent I thought I’d share with you what my kids have been reading over summer and our families journey in reading so far.

 

My husband grew up in a bookshop and whilst his bookselling parents read to him often and shared books, he regards himself as a reluctant reader until he found the ‘Tomorrow When the War Began’ book series by John Marsden as a teen.  So my message here is, “don’t panic if your kid isn’t a reader yet,” maybe they just haven’t found what they love.

 

I was a voracious reader who happily accompanied my grandparents on their weekly library trip as well as made great use of my school libraries as a child and teen.  Yes, I’ve tried to make my kids love the books I loved growing up.  Sadly, nothing captured them quite like it did me, but we’ve found that letting them discover what interests them is more likely to keep them reading.

 

We have three boys and whilst two are now independent readers and in high school, the third Mr6 is still emerging and we continue to grow his confidence in learning to read.  So lets starts with what’s been working to engage my smallest (I’d rather be outdoors) child in reading.

 

We’ve been loving Sally Rippin’s School of Monster series, we started with me reading the majority of the words and him just reading the coloured word at the end of each sentence (this took the pressure off and made it easy for him at the end of a long day as we usually read before bed).  He’s now following the stories and adding in extra words as he recognises them and particularly likes the green/yellow/red new word breakdown at the end of each story in the bind-up sets.

 

I also like to have a novel we’re reading together that’s just for the joy of sharing a story, a recent read we enjoyed was Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by L M Wilkinson. And on those nights where we just need a quick read to share we still return to picture books, a recent favourite is When the Lights Went Out by Lian Tanner. 

 

My middle child Mr12 while now a fully independent reader, found the move from illustrated chapter books to chapter books harder as he loved the easy read and dislikes change.  He struggled to find what he liked on offer in upper primary reads.  After many try’s and fail’s we figured out he likes a puzzle or a mystery to solve and interpersonal dynamics at play. Some titles that have worked for him in the last year are:

 

*  Escape Room by Christopher Edge was the book that helped me find what he liked.

* We loved Stewart Foster’s Books, Check Mates and All the Way Down being two popular titles.

* The Spy Academy series by Jack Heath have been a great quick action packed read for him.

* The Cherub series by Robert Muchamore kept him busy for a while thanks to the number of titles on offer.

*  His most recent read was The Bletchley Riddle by Ruth Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin.

My eldest Mr14 has always been a book lover, he just reads and reads and reads. His upper primary years had him bent over the pages of both fiction and non-fiction war stories which then progressed to the dystopian offerings of The Maze Runner, The Divergent series and the Gone series. He loved Tomorrow when the War Began by John Marsden and The Cherub series by Robert Muchamore just to name a few.

 

These were some of his summer reads (I’m jealous of all the time he has to dive into a great book);

 

*  The Outsiders by S E Hinton

*  The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku 

*  The Last Reality series by Jason Segel 

*  The Jack West Jnr series  and the Scarecrow series and everything else he could get his hands on by Matthew Reilly.

Andy Durkin

Bookseller at Petrarch’s Bookshop

W: https://www.petrarchs.com.au/ 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/petrarchs/#

I: https://www.instagram.com/petrarchs/ 

Editor’s note: It is wonderful to see such an exciting list of titles that will appeal to boys! Just a note of caution that as the main characters in the Cherub series age and mature, so too do some of the themes.