Content or trigger warnings: Should books have them?

Adult readers of children’s and young adult fiction are likely to have found instances of confronting and concerning issues in books that they have read. Should consumers be alerted to content that may trigger a negative or emotional response? Maureen’s post explores some of the issues around this topic and poses questions to prompt deeper discussion. 

A small group has been discussing this topic, in the light of the grittier subject matter which is appearing in children’s books, for younger readers as well as young adults. Though I am part of the discussion group I continue to waver. I sometimes think adding warnings will increase censorship, but it also might prevent a reader being influenced or traumatised by the content. It should allow parents to be more aware of what their children are reading, but some parents may start to ban books, which could reduce discussions. 

Here are some questions, hopefully which will prompt discussion and thoughts.

CBCA supports the best children’s literature each year through our Book of the Year Awards. Our organisation has a stated aim to connect, communicate, celebrate and advocate stories across Australia, giving readers the opportunity to be challenged with alternative points of view. Can this be done without warnings?

How do we define what subject matter needs a content or trigger warning, and can it satisfy all situations?

Recently, Behind the News, an ABC current affairs program aimed at years 7 and 8, had a segment focusing on the need (or not) to include an age range, especially for books which cross between young adult and adult fiction. Would this make choosing books too prescriptive as it doesn’t take into account the emotional maturity of the reader?

Would this change or reduce the number of titles being mismarketed with young readers being exposed to pornography at younger ages. Readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter series look for similar titles. Publishers know this and direct their marketing towards similar genres, but not necessarily the right levels.

Dr Emma Hussey of the Australian Catholic University is calling for ratings so that readers are not exposed to scenes of explicit sex and/or violence. Hussey argues that many of the behaviours warned about in domestic violence education are normalised in fiction for the young. Social media such as BookTok is encouraging readers as young as 12 and 13 to read books more suited to readers at the upper end of the YA range. 

Should we include ratings similar to those used by film, television and games? This would allow parents to check on their children’s choices. 

Should printed books undergo a similar critical review as digital productions do?

Would this change be regarded as censorship? Or would it make reading too restrictive and prescriptive?

Should book sellers and publishers be actively encouraged to become more responsible for what they sell?

Should all book reviews, especially those under the auspices of CBCA, include trigger warnings? If you are a Reading Time reviewer, what do you think?

We’d love to hear what our readers think about this subject.

Further reading:

See Appendix 7 outlines the BOTY Awards category criteria in:
The Children’s Book Council of Australia. (January 2025). The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Policy (2025). https://cbca.blob.core.windows.net/documents/BookOfTheYear/AwardPolicy/PL_007_012_CBCA_BOYA_POLICY_2025.pdf

Australian Catholic University. (July 21, 2025). Child protection expert calls for rating system for YA book [Media release]. https://cathnews.com/~documents/media-releases/media-releases-2025/250721-acu-child-protection-expert-calls-for-rating-system-for-ya-books/?layout=file

Hari, N. & Wokciechowski, A. (February 1, 2025). Content warning: The rise in misleading marketing of books with adult content towards children. Elestoque. https://elestoque.org/2025/02/01/opinion/content-warning-the-rise-in-misleading-marketing-of-books-with-adult-content-towards-children/

Duggan, S. (July 25, 2025). ‘BookTok’ is pushing novels with sexually explicit and violent cont to kids: Expert. EducationHQ. https://educationhq.com/news/booktok-is-pushing-novels-with-sexually-explicit-and-violent-content-to-kids-expert-196841/ 

Maureen Mann
Retired teacher librarian and avid reader

Editor's observation:

A recent read/listen Wandering Wild, by Lynette Noni (2025, Penguin) started with a note to the reader that provided some forewarning of content without giving away the plot. A transcribed quote follows - What do you think?

"Dear Reader, for the most part this book is intended as a romantic misadventure through the wilderness but please be aware that it also contains themes regarding mental health and personal drama that may be triggering for some readers (prior to title page)."

Stories in the Dark

This week, guest author and illustrator Christina Booth, reflects on the effect of global events and media broadcasting on young people to consider the importance of telling and sharing stories as a way to help navigate this challenging world. 

I’m going to be honest. I’ve written a few blog posts for CBCA Tas before, and usually my biggest issue is choosing from the ideas I had. This time, as the deadline looms closer, I’m in a quandary. What do I write about? And now, I seem to be writing about my lack of ideas which is not what you want, nor subscribe for, and it isn’t what I want either, but what do we do when the events of the world feel like they are engulfing us? What do we do when life events swallow us whole and leave no time or energy to be creative? And the events of the world are very much in forefront of our lives at the moment. The events of today will be the inspiration for literature of the future. They say the victors get to write history, let’s hope the victors are the ones who are truth tellers. 

I’m back at school, working mostly with secondary students. I have to pay for my ‘habit’ somehow, plus, I’ve missed it, some of it at least, especially interacting and engaging with students. It has made me think deeply about how we encourage them, lift them and support them as they try to make sense of this insane world and the crazy humans who appear to be in control. We are watching a generation grow up in and through the tail-end of a world-wide pandemic, the threat of war in numerous places on the planet, escalating wars that are decimating entire cultures and societies, projected twenty-four seven across the globe. If we are fearful of our future, how does our fear, anger, and anxiety feed to the younger generation, and how do we guide them through it without condescending their genuine fears and reactions. I often catch conversations in the classroom and on yard duty about what was in the news, about why should we be in school anymore if the world won’t exist when they are adults. It takes me back to the eighties, when we feared the ‘big button’ and were convinced as youth we needed to live now, be reckless, because there might be no tomorrow.

When I work in schools as an author, I am discussing ways we can build bridges within school communities, families, and society with story. With story we can make connections, build friendships, and at the least, an understanding of each other’s differences. The adults in power seem to have forgotten this, have no respect for other people’s stories or the uniqueness of them. I believe encouraging our young people to tell their stories, in whatever format they feel able to, will open a pathway through, and enable us to look ahead to a brighter future. To let children feel heard, be empowered to find a language to express their fears, will help them through the uncertainty of what lies ahead. 

Stories are the future builders, the foundation of humanity, and if we keep them alive, we will make our way through together. 

In some ways, we are telling stories in the dark, like in the European bunkers and underground of World War 2. These are the things we turn to when life becomes hard. Even if we are unable to write or tell our own story for whatever reason, we can still engage in the stories of others and continue to connect and grow and heal. We can begin to empower ourselves and each other to continue to look forward to the light, which is illuminated by stories. These stories will be in our future, and we will carry them forward. So, while I wait for things to settle in life, for the world to stop being such a loud and crazy place, I will write my stories in the dark. I will listen to your stories and those of people around me, especially our students and children. I encourage you to continue to help our youth to find a way and feel some hope. The books are there, stories of hope and resilience are everywhere. 

And for us, the adults in their lives, stories shared, books, music, art, will help them find their way to find a safe place to escape, to read, write, sing, dance, perform, play, and feel heard. To know there is a future, and their story will be an important part of it.

What books, or stories through other forms of art are helping you through these times? What are you sharing with the young people in your lives?

Stay safe, take care, read, listen, and look to the light.

Christina Booth, author.

W: https://www.christinabooth.com/ 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/Christina-Booth-Books-100042555798978/ 

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

Editor’s note: These wise words resonate for me as an adult whose own reading plays a critical role in helping me find balance and calm.

Favourite Book? Have your say!

ABC Radio National has introduced a new annual vote inviting listeners to identify their favourite books. The 2025 theme will identify our “Top 100 Books of the 21st Century” (to date). If you struggle to find a book to read then this list might prove a useful tool and it certainly provides a wonderful boost to celebrate books and reading.

The poll commenced on the 1st September and closes on the 2nd October so there is still plenty of time to have your say and add your ‘best reads’ to the list. Books need to be published in English this century and can be local or international, fiction or nonfiction. A voting list is provided and you can search for titles in several ways. If your favs aren’t there, then you can add them in. Choose between 1 and 10 books – that’s the hardest bit – and have a go. You might even win a prize!

 

You can stay tuned for the Top 100 Books countdown on Radio National over two days – the 18th  and 19th  October. Participants must be 18 or over, but do consider some of those absolutely magic children’s books that readers of this blog are sure to have. If they have a place in your heart, your family or your classroom then it is a chance to add some breadth to the list and celebrate some exceptional reads for younger audiences. 

 

Tune in to the initial launch on The Book Show and find out more and cast your votes on the Radio National website. You might like to hear the top pick from some ABC presenters – but don’t let their choices influence you! 

 

Cast a vote or ten and be counted! Make sure you check the final results – they might help solve some of the Christmas stocking dilemmas.

 

Jennie Bales

CBCA Committee Member & Social Media Coordinator

Retired teacher librarian, academic and avid reader

An Interview with Rachel Tribout

Rachel Tribout, a local children’s author and illustrator, shares her story and an exciting new conservation project that she has been involved with in this interview. Aimed at inspiring and educating children to care for our waterways, Rachel has been instrumental in illustrating three picture books for TasWater as part of comprehensive Water Literacy Program. Read on to discover The Water Guardians.

 

Rachel, it is a while since you have written for the blog – can you give us a brief bio and an overview of some of your previous projects?

Sure! I’m a French-born illustrator and designer who somehow washed up in Tasmania after a round-the-world trip… and I never quite left. I lived there full-time for over 15 years (with an annual winter escape as I never quite adapted. My friends think of me whenever they feel cold, because my whinging about Tasmanian winters is now permanently imprinted in their brains. You’re welcome, guys!).

These days I split my time between Hobart and Brisbane. I’m still deeply attached to Tasmania and hope to return permanently one day, but for now I’ve found love and work in Brisbane, so I have slowly settled there more.

Although I do a lot of commercial design and illustration, my true passion is children’s books. I’ve worked on quite a few, both fiction and nonfiction, everything from Kate Gordon’s gorgeous novels (The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, The Ballad of Melodie Rose, The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow) to narrative-driven science books with CSIRO like Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish, and nonfiction like Poo, Spew, and Other Gross Things Animals Do. My latest book to date is called “Cheer Up, Blobfish” written by Julie Murphy and published by Affirm Press. 

I’ve also made my own books from scratch (originally to teach myself visual storytelling), like The Monsters of Tasmania and The Journey of Admiral Bolognaise, which I crowdfunded and self-published… a bit of an adventure in itself!

How did you become involved with TasWater’s water literacy program and the development of The Water Guardians? 

TasWater reached out to me, and I didn’t need much convincing. Drawing Tasmanian landscapes is always a treat, anything to connect me and remind me of their beauty and how special they are is considered a privilege for me. I also loved the idea of helping kids (and adults) understand water in a fun, story-driven way. I think it’s important for us to know where water comes from, how it is used, treated, our impact on the environment and how to protect it. That knowledge is priceless and education about it vital. 

Are you a Water Guardian | Tas Water Literacy Program

Can you describe the brief you were given and the process you undertook in choosing the style and medium.

The brief was to make something engaging for kids, but also appealing to grown-ups. So I aimed for that in-between space and created the characters to be playful without being babyish. I also loved how Kate Beard took this project at heart and had thought so much about the characters already. It was easy to bring them to life because they already felt so real to her. 

Technically, I worked digitally, which made sense because the characters were going to be animated. That meant drawing them with multiple mouths and arms that could be moved around; a bit like a paper-doll kit, but digital.

For the landscapes, I wanted to create a true sense of place. I focused not just on landmarks, but also on the light and mood of each location. Tasmania is so diverse and atmospheric, and I wanted to capture that feeling as much as possible.

The illustrations also had to work across many formats (books, animations, promotional material, and educational resources) which added an extra challenge. I separated all the background layers so Kimberlin Education, who were producing the resources, could adapt and reuse them. They took this process further than I imagined. I was really impressed with how Tania, their creative manager, used my elements not only for animation but also to build the books. I often separate elements when illustrating for branding or marketing, so they can be reused, but Tania took it to the next level. She shuffled and repurposed the background pieces in clever ways, and I loved seeing how that resourcefulness brought even more out of the artwork.

City River Rescue | Book 3 | The Water Guardians

You have a gift for giving your animals personalities – I just loved the cheeky Spotted Handfish. How did you achieve this with the six creatures in this series? Did you have a favourite animal?
Thank you! To be fair, the characters had already been given a lot of thought by Kate Beard at TasWater, so it was easy to imagine them. I just had to give them the right facial expressions and body language so they could work in different situations.

My personal favourite is the quoll: he’s cheeky, and I always enjoy drawing cheeky.

 

What aspect of book illustration do you enjoy the most and do you have a preferred media to work in?

I love the storyboarding stage, when you’re figuring out the visual storytelling. For me, that’s where the most important part of the work happens. I like thinking about how composition and flow can change the mood and shape the story.

I also really enjoy the sketch phase, when more details start coming in and I think about how to shape the illustration. You can add so much by layering in little elements, and I truly believe the story can be told in the details too. The hat someone wears can tell you as much about them as their posture, or the size of the bag they’re carrying. Adding and thinking about those touches is such a fun part of the process, because they deepen the story and make the world feel more alive. I have so much fun when adding easter eggs to illustrations, and I hope that that joy flows through to the reader and make them slow down, enjoy and stay on the page a little longer.

In terms of media, I mostly work digitally and have for the past 15 years, but lately I’ve been craving a return to more traditional mediums: paints, pencils, all the messy stuff. The world is buzzing about AI and how everything should be streamlined, faster, more efficient… but honestly, I think creativity should be the opposite. It should take the time it needs without cutting corners just for productivity’s sake.

For me, the magic often comes from the mess and the mistakes and that’s where the gold hides. Back in my early days, when I was really thinking about the creative process, I realised it felt like a cycle. You start like a child, excited and full of ideas. Then comes the teenager stage, when everything feels difficult: nothing works, I feel stuck, or like I suck and the world sucks too (I am dramatic). Then, somehow, there’s a breakthrough. I still don’t really know how it happens and it’s never quite the same… maybe from thinking hard and then finally letting go (while on a walk or in the shower) or just waiting long enough to see things with fresh eyes. And then there’s the adult stage, where you finish the work. It’s not perfect, but you feel accomplished because you know you’ve done your best.

That cycle is what makes creativity so deeply human. It helps us grow, understand ourselves better, and maybe even inspire others (while being inspired in return). I don’t want to streamline that… what would be the point? I don’t want to just make content to consume. I want to tell stories from the heart, with my flawed human brain, eyes, and voice. That’s what gives my work purpose, helps me grow, and makes both me and my work feel alive.

How do you tackle a new commission – any advice?

It always starts with scoping properly: how long will this actually take, and what’s really involved? Once that’s clear, I dive into research. I look at other books, Pinterest, artworks, photography, I read about the topic… of course, but I also try to draw inspiration from unexpected places and anything that might give me a fresh angle.

I also like to sneak in something new for myself, so each project helps me grow or experiment with something different. At the moment I am working on a book with Queensland Parliament on a true story about a schoolgirl who campaigned for more statues of women in Queensland… because she noticed there were more statues of animals than of women!

For me, it’s important to tell a story that matters to me and to the world. We pour so much of ourselves into a book, and that time and energy should feel like it’s going toward something meaningful.

If I had one piece of advice, it would be: don’t be afraid of the messy middle. The creative process rarely goes exactly to plan, but that’s often where the most interesting ideas appear. Stay curious, ask lots of questions, and leave room for play, take a break when you feel stuck, that’s usually where the magic comes in. And most importantly, tell the kind of story you’d want to see in the world.

 

A big thank you to Rachel for sharing some images of her studio!

Photo credits: Janna Imperial and Colin Fong

Visit the TasWater website for more information about The Water Guardians Water Literacy Program to access digital versions of the books and supporting Teacher Resources.

Discover more about

Rachel Tribout at

W: https://racheltribout.com/

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

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