Book of the Year Awards – Student choices via Shadow Judging

The successful books in the 2026 Book of the Year awards have been announced. This year the event included the announcement of the Shadow Judging winners, decided by participating student groups across Australia.  

Winners of the Shadow Judging Awards

CBCA has provided students with the opportunity to become actively involved in the Book of the Year Awards through the Shadow Judging program. Momentum has grown and the importance of offering young people the opportunity to read, critique and judge the shortlisted books has proven its worth. Read on to hear from some of Tasmania’s Shadow Judges and their mentors.

 

Austins Ferry Primary School

The student group at Austins Ferry judged the books shortlisted in the Picture Book category and reflected that Shadow Judging was both fun and engaging. They particularly enjoyed reading Dear Broccoli and Once I Was a Giant – these books were tied in the first round of voting. Students would have appreciated having more time for Shadow Judging so that they could further develop their creative responses. When we participate in the future, we may need to consider scheduling additional lunchtime sessions, starting earlier in the year, or exploring a different category.

 

Students said that they enjoyed discussing the books with others, comparing our opinions, and hearing about how stories resonated with different readers. As this was a new experience for students, it inspired our Shadow Judges to continue exploring ways to promote a love of reading across the school community. Shadow Judging also provided a valuable opportunity to explore a diverse range of picture books and engage in meaningful discussions about contemporary Australian children's literature.

Kaye Garth

 

Fahan Junior School

This year a very enthusiastic group of keen readers who are interested in developing the language needed to discuss books beyond simply recounting the story. One group is exploring the Younger Readers category, while the other is focusing on the Early Childhood books.

 

The students meet once a week, commencing in Term 2. We use the judging questions as a guide to help move their discussions beyond whether they liked or disliked a book and towards deeper consideration of the story, characters, setting, language, and the worlds that authors and illustrators have created to capture readers’ attention.

 

What the students think:

• I usually read books quickly, but with Shadow Judging I have a reason to slow down. I take more time to notice the details so that I can contribute to the discussion. (Lucy)
• I enjoy hearing everybody’s thoughts and connecting with people I might not have talked to otherwise. The books are really, really good too. (Elsa)
• Reading, coming to Shadow Judging, and sitting on the couch in the library to discuss the books is really calming. I’m also reading books that I wouldn’t usually choose. (Grace)
• I don’t usually spend much time reading books in the drama genre because it’s not my favourite genre. But because these books are chosen for Shadow Judging, I’ve read them and I’ve really enjoyed them. (Pippi)
• Reading is nice, fun and relaxing. I like Shadow Judging because it encourages me to read and to try new books. (Rose) 

Their mentors believe that the Shadow Judging competition provides a particularly authentic and meaningful way for children's voices to be heard. You can read a more detailed report from Fahan Junior School in the forthcoming Term 3 newsletter.

Meg Denman & Sue Cole

 

St Thomas More’s Catholic School

The CBCA Shadow Judging project provides students with a wonderful opportunity to engage in rich and robust conversations about quality Australian literature and to have their voices heard.  Over the past four years, students from St Thomas More’s have relished their time discussing shortlisted books, dissecting the judging criteria and voting for their favourites.  This year, STM students in Grade 4 chose the Picture Book category and it has been delightful to hear students reviewing the books, discussing the criteria in depth and passionately advocating for their favourites.  Our sessions inevitably ended in a difficult choice as we defended our varying and heartfelt opinions.  This initiative is a great way to promote critical thinking, to foster a love of literature in our students and to give them a chance to voice their opinions. 

Creative responses from St Thomas More's students

Our students say…..

• I have enjoyed looking at the books and seeing which one is our group favourite. I also like getting to spend time together and all chatting about what we like about the books. (Harry, Grade 4)
• I liked reading all of these different books and hearing other people's opinions on the books. I have loved reading the books and choosing which one is our favourite. (Nina, Grade 4)

Rebecca Thomas

 

Hutchins Junior School

Hutchins ran two shadow judging groups in the Junior School in 2026, both ran at lunchtime for keen readers in the Early Childhood and Younger Reader categories.  Read on to learn more about what the Hutchins Junior School students enjoyed the most about the CBCA Shadow Judging experience this year.

 

Hutchins Early Childhood judging team with their chosen book

• I loved how we read different books and got to talk about them.  Jason, Year 1
• I loved reading different books and having time to write about them.  Louie, Year 2
• Talking about books and judging them was great! Jack, Year 2
• Reading and writing about books was fun! Victor, Year 1
• It was so cool because I was excited to find out which books we would be reading! (Jasper, Year 2)
• Comparing the different books was interesting.  I liked how the illustrations in all the books were different. (Oscar, Year 1)
• I enjoyed reading the books because they were not books I would normally pick up off the shelf. This was my second year of shadow judging, so I knew what I was doing and I knew what to expect.  I will probably read more from these authors and I’m looking forward to reading The Wave by Sarah Armstrong when it comes out.  My favourite book was Spirit of the Crocodile because it was set in the Torres Strait Islands and there aren’t many books like that.  I loved the storm scene.  (Henry, Year 5)
• I loved shadow judging because I tried books I wouldn’t normally read, and I found authors I wouldn’t normally have read. I really liked talking about books with others; hearing other people’s perspectives and coming to come one conclusion. It was fun to listen to other people’s reasoning for which book they thought should win. My favourite book was Run because I like the adventure and good fit for Younger Readers; it has good life lessons and something to relate to. A tip for people doing shadow judging - you must listen to other people’s perspectives and be willing to change your mind.  You must be flexible!  (William, Year 5)
• I liked reading the books; it was fun to learn new reading skills and how to read the books a bit more quickly.  I liked how there were different types of books, for example a graphic novel and a verse novel. Run was my favourite book because I liked the characters because the author explained who the character was, it was easy to imagine in my mind. The setting was clear and it always made sense which part of the story you were in. (Drew, Year 5)

Hutchins Primary Judges for the Younger Readers category

Anna Davidson

Editor's note: Take the time to explore the CBCA Shadow Judging website and explore some of the thoughtful and podcasts and creative responses from participating students across Australia - they are amazing!

You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Boys and Reading

This week’s post makes connections between the importance of boys, reading and male protagonists. With the 2025 Book of the Year Awards announcements just days away, read on to see how some of this year’s novels provide male role models within their pages.

Luke Bateman (former NRL footballer) commented in a recent interview: "It was not something that men did. I never saw any of my male role models, my male heroes, reading books." Luke Bateman's Australian Story "Turning the Page" on ABC iview explores his journey and how reading helped him recover from addiction and destructive behaviours.

For decades there have been campaigns to present images of males reading, to have males help with reading groups at schools, and to ‘catch’ high profile males reading for pleasure (and show those images via social media) as a subliminal message that boys caught reading is an acceptable pastime. Getty Images has over 15 thousand images of men ‘caught’ reading.

Bateman found solace in fantasy books which took him to worlds that were so much bigger than his home life on a farm. Other males prefer to read non-fiction. Some prefer to find a good series with lots of titles: you already ‘know’ the main character/s; you know the sorts of conflict they are going to face; and you can be satisfied that they will live on – to meet in the next title! For others it may be comedy, graphic novels, manga or superheroes that ‘catch’ them and then keep them reading.

Luke Bateman recorded a TikTok video for a part of the platform dedicated to lovers of reading, called #BookTok, from the tractor. Bateman’s first novel is due in 2027. You can find out more online in Luke Bateman reveals how books helped him survive a ‘shameful’ gambling addiction (ABC News, 27 July, 2026)

The 2026 results for the Older Readers and Younger Readers Shortlist categories are announced on Friday, Aug 21 at noon. It will be exciting to see if any of the following books are winners. Two of the six Older Readers titles have young men as their protagonists: Darkest Night, Brightest Star (Barry Jonsberg) and We Saw What You Started (Carla Salmon). In the Younger Readers five of the six have male protagonists: Run (Sarah Armstrong); Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces (Sally Barton/Christophe Nielsen and bonus, this is a series!); Spirit of the Crocodile (Aaron Fa’Aoso/Michelle Scott Tucker/Lyn White); The Paperbark Tree Committee (Karys McEwen) and Inked (Karen Wasson/Jake A Minton).

Great catch-up blog reads on suitable titles can be accessed at: Nella Pickup’s blog post Chasing YA for 13-14-year-olds (14 Nov 2025) which includes brief reviews on We Saw What You Started and Run); and Michelle Davies’ blog post What are teenage boys reading for pleasure? Insights from a school library (23 Nov 2024) have some great suggestions of books too. Inked is reviewed by Sly in Octopuses abound in the CBCA Younger Readers category (30 May 2026) blog post.

Darkest Night, Brightest Star  by Barry Jonsberg, Allen & Unwin.

Morgan, our 13-year-old protagonist, is unaware of the issues in his dysfunctional masculine environment and thus worldview. This gritty realism will connect with boys and young men who are confused about why their words, language or behaviours are wrong, when that is all they have ever seen. This novel subverts predictable conventions. It does not make women responsible for solving the problems of men nor does it claim there are easy solutions to complex problems (such as involvement in sport).

 

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton & Christopher Nielsen, Walker Books.

This first book in the Something Terrible series is a zany attention grabber. Tim never ties his shoelaces, and despite repeated warnings from his entire neighbourhood, he refuses to change. A classic childhood warning spun into a captivating, humorous and dark adventure. 

Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’Aoso/Michelle Scott Tucker/Lyn White, Allen & Unwin.

Ezra and Mason are vulnerable yet courageous, authentic characters from strong and loving families who are secure in their Torres Strait Island culture and in their place in the world. A fun, well-resolved adventure story, the boys step-up to protect themselves and others from the impacts of a cyclone: challenges that readers from northern Australia will closely relate to.

 

The Paperbark Tree Committee by Karys McEwen, Text Publishing.

Brothers Art and Hilary grapple with change and the uncertainties of growing up. The power of this book is skilfully captured in the line: 'Being a teenager is all about swimming along with only your fin showing, trying to look like a shark when really, you're just some average fish.'

 

Credits:

Reviews edited from CBCA Book of the Year Awards: Notable Australian Children’s Literature 2026. A free publication for CBCA Members.

ABC News Luke Bateman reveals how books helped him survive a 'shameful' gambling addiction - ABC News (27 July, 2026).

Felicity Sly is a retired teacher-librarian and 2026 CBCA Committee Member

Adrian Beck – Always a Tasmanian at Heart

Adrian Beck might be based in Melbourne, but his heart is firmly set in Hobart. Author, illustrator, speaker, entertainer - his passion of children and the books they love to read is a delight to discover.

For kids authors and illustrators, Term 3 is a marathon! Thankfully, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable marathon because we get to do what we love: visit schools to talk about reading and writing. It’s never been more important to inspire the next generation of readers given the number of devices and distractions in kids’ lives these days.

Entertaining students with a song about books from Derek Dool Supercool
© Adrian Beck

For me, Book Week has already started because I’m visiting dozens of Melbourne schools before and after the official week of celebrations. As a born and bred Hobartian I’d love to spend Book Week in Tasmania sometime soon, but in 2026 it isn’t to be, this time around I’m off to Sydney.

Sharing Little Legends series © Adrian Beck

I love talking to kids about stories. I believe author visits have a huge impact on students, but they also leave authors creatively recharged. We’re reminded why we spend hours sitting at a desk toiling away with words that desperately don’t want to be wrangled. There’s no better feeling than meeting a young reader who genuinely enjoyed your book. I also relish the challenge of getting reluctant readers to pick up books. Quite often I speak at schools who have a strong sporting culture, due to my back catalogue of sporty books, so I’m pleased to be a role model who ‘gets’ sport and also stories.

Lately in classrooms, I’ve been discussing my new releases. With older kids I speak about ‘Nowhere House’. I believe mysteries like ‘Nowhere House’ are great stories for reluctant readers because they draw kids into the narrative and make them active participants in solving the case. For younger kids, I’ve been focussing on Fox Kid, a series I also illustrate that has just hit Book 11 – with many more to come. My entry point with Fox Kid is talking about his superhero powers (who wouldn’t want super-smelling?) but then I lead into his real superpower of teamwork.

Beck with Nowhere House, dressed as Fox Kid and illustrating © Adrian Beck

In between school talks and festivals, I’m currently chasing a few deadlines. More Fox Kid, of course, but also another mystery novel, some action books and a horror story that needs to be finished by the end of the year. This one I’m particularly excited about because it’s set in… wait for it… Hobart! Might have to take a few extra trips back home to see the family, oh, and for ‘research’ of course.

Wishing all the schools, teachers, librarians and of course kids a wonderful Book Week. And parents, good luck with the last-minute costume requests!

Adrian Beck promoting Readers Cup
© Adrian Beck

Adrian Beck

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Editor's note: It's always a treat to share a Tasmanian author on the blog and to gain insights into their passions ... and a supporter of Readers' Cup too!. Can't wait for a horror story set in Hobart!! Read a review of Nowhere House or find out more about the Fox Kids series.

You, Me, Community: Building Bridges Through Visual Storytelling

Step behind the scenes with Tony Flowers as he shares insights into his most recent work, You, Me, Community. His illustrations support and enrich the theme of community with fascinating details, and embedded humour drawn from his personal journeys and experiences.

You, Me Community by Zanni Louise and Tony Flowers. Walker Books 2026

As the illustrator of You, Me, Community, written by the wonderful Zanni Louise, I wanted to offer a little bit of insight in to how my ideas are folded into the story. This is a picture book built on the idea of connection, not just between characters, but between text and image. Zanni’s lyrical, rhythmic text acts almost like a musical score, setting the tempo and emotional beats. But the words alone, don’t form a conventional narrative. They are the rhythm that I carried into the illustrations, building visually on the metaphors touched on in the text, to create a parallel story and world to explore visually.

While the text reflects on the depth and breadth of what community is and the importance of connection, the illustrations set the scene with a story of two cliff‑top towns divided, we follow two central characters a dog and a crab (In my mind the crab is the narrator of the book), the illustrations reveal the deeper narrative: two communities choosing to build a bridge to come together. The visual world is full of architectural and cultural influences gathered from my travels. Readers with sharp eyes will spot Japanese castles, the cathedral spires of Dinant in Belgium, Tudor buildings from Leeds, Spanish gatehouses, and the tiled stairways of Portugal. Statues and stone carvings from Cambodia, Syria, Scotland, and Italy also make cameo appearances. These details create a rich tapestry of visual information for young readers to explore, encouraging curiosity and close looking.

Inside pages showing two cliff top towns in You, Me, Community

For those that know my past work, my motorcycle makes its traditional appearance. It has featured in every book I’ve illustrated since a publisher once told me never to put motorcycles in a picture book. Apparently, they encourage random acts of risky behaviour in children. This publisher clearly needs to expand their book world to include some of the more obscure author’s and their books with motorcycles in them, like Babette Cole’s Smartypants or Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage: Queen of the Road. For me, these small personal touches are part of the joy of illustration: they anchor the work in lived experience and offer a playful wink to returning readers.

Planning double page spread in You, Me, Community.
Can you find the motorbike?

For teachers and librarians keen to explore the visual language of the book, I helped develop the teaching notes for Walker Books Australia, which place a strong emphasis on visual literacy. You’ll also find a growing collection of free resources, behind‑the‑scenes insights, and illustration activities at Divi & Frey a space I’m building for educators and emerging illustrators alike.

Planning stage for an illustration in You, Me, Community

You can follow more of my work and travels on Facebook or Instagram at @tony_flowers99 or visit www.flowersinks.com.au.

Tony Flowers

Creating Stories – Books to Inspire and Guide Young Creators

This week Bronwyn, from The Hobart Bookshop, shares an amazing array of recent publications designed to help children and teens put pen to paper to create their own stories. Enough to make you want to write yourself!

As a Bookshop we focus on the power of reading as a way to open children’s minds and imaginations to all the possible worlds, lives and ideas beyond their own experiences. But what about writing and even drawing? What about young people’s capacity to create?

Teaching children to express their own ideas is a powerful motivator to improve both vocabulary and comprehension, and it seems quite a few children’s authors agree, with the recent release of several books designed to encourage children to create their own stories, whether through narrative, verse or imagery.

Poetry is accepted as a tool that can build awareness of the sounds in words, and the repeating use of rhyme can make it easier for young learners to anticipate what another word will sound like, especially in short text formats for young or reluctant readers. But to engage any younger readers, the poem must capture their attention – which is where humour can play a role. (Enter masters of humorous children’s books, such as Andy Griffiths – see his entry in this list below!) 

Drawing is another form of communication that enables children to explore, reflect on and share their experiences. Using the visual form can allow access to nonverbal stories and ideas, and a pathway to exploring the creativity that can flow alongside words.

Make Believe by Mac Barnett

The United States has appointed Mac Barnett as their National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and he has written Make Believe: a book for adults that contemplates the way we interact with children and literature. Barnett is a strong advocate for the children’s ability to understand and grow from exposure to art and literature, and he believes that our human facility for appreciating these fields is awakened in early childhood, making the books that we provide to children deeply important. 

The following list is a collection of recent publications that will entice children into the world of creative imagination through various forms of word and image.

Current Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths has written Let’s Go: a book that encourages children to both read and write (including writing in the book, so this one may be better for home copies than for libraries!). Let’s Go is full of stories, poems and comic strips that guide younger creators to create their own imaginary adventures with words and pictures. 

One of our favourite authors of children’s novels, Katrina Nannestad, has also written a nonfiction book to encourage junior writers: The Story Writer’s Handbook.  Aimed at a slightly older audience and with prompts to develop characters, the book also includes space to draw so that children can imagine everything about their characters – including what is in their pockets.

Creative Writing Magic by Andy Jones describes writing as ‘an act of magic’ and is full of tips and prompts to help young writers write and draw from their imaginations (and this one is library friendly, as you don’t draw in the book).

Three books to encourage junior writers

Picture Book Makers Part 2 is a beautiful book features 13 picture book artists who share their processes behind their creations. While the book is targeted at adults and older readers, more as a reference book or coffee table book, it would also make an inspiring prompt for helping children to start creating, including lots of familiar images from well-loved children’s books. 

Graphic Novel Builder by Edward Ross provides a step-by-step guide designed for teens to create their very own comic books. There is help with character development and plot formation as well as suggestions to help turn ideas into images that communicate a story.

Picturebook Makers and Graphic Novel Builder for illustrative inspiration

In poet Brian Bilston’s book of poetry, A Poem for every Question, wonderfully illustrated by Joe Berger, each poem is the focus for the type of non-fiction facts that children love to devour. From prompts like ‘How Many Teeth Does a Crocodile Have’ to ‘How do Planes Fly Upside Down’, the book pairs a poem with an actual factual explanation so that both the creative and logical sides of the brain are being stimulated.

If I Could Eat the Stars is a middle-grade Australian collection of poems chosen by Rebecca Newman, containing examples of haiku, free verse and other forms of poetry. It features particularly fun and relatable poetry by a mix of award-winning, established and brand new writers.

Poetry inspiration 

By combining reading, writing and drawing, we can approach stories and ideas through multiple aspects of the reading process, encouraging a higher level of understanding of the words being read. In doing so, the world of stories and books become even more enjoyable and engaging for the child.

Bronwyn Chalke
The Hobart Bookshop

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