Anna Davidson, one of the Tasmanian judges for the 2026 Book of the Year Awards, provides readers with a window into the prestigious national award ceremony held at the State Library of NSW. What a wonderful experience!
Friday 21 August was a big day in the Australian children’s literary world, with the announcement of the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.
As a teacher librarian, it’s always a day to eagerly anticipate; slipping out of class if necessary to check the winners at 12pm, before spending lunchtime with other passionate children’s literature enthusiasts, umming and ahhing, agreeing and disagreeing over the judges’ choices.
In 2026, however, there was a different kind of excitement for me. As one of the 2026 CBCA judges, it was the day that I, along with all the other judges, no longer had to keep the results secret!
Many of the judges were represented at the official Awards Ceremony at the State Library of NSW, and it was a delight to catch up with them in person for the first time since our judges’ deliberation conference in February.
The CBCA has worked hard to ensure that student voices are prominent in the Awards Ceremony, so it was wonderful to see students taking on the role of MCs and to hear from Shadow Judges as they shared their thoughts on the shortlisted Younger Readers and Older Readers books.
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| Student press interviewing Jo Pankridge - CBCA National Chairperson. Image © Anna Davidson |
It was also wonderful to see so many of the shortlisted creators in attendance. As a judge, it was a particular treat to meet authors and illustrators whose work I had spent so many months reading, discussing and debating, and to share in their joy as their books were celebrated so publicly.
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| Award Ceremony Convenors - Alex & Marissa Award recipients - Anne Donaldson& Cate James Image © Anna Davidson |
Thank you to the CBCA for putting on such a fabulous event and for bringing Australian authors, illustrators, publishers, judges, readers and, of course, students together to celebrate contemporary Australian children’s literature.
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| Older Reader Award recipients. Image © Anna Davidson |
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| Early Childhood Award Recipients. Image © Anna Davidson |
And while the 2026 awards may have drawn to a close, the work has already begun for the 2027 CBCA judges. A new wave of incredible books is arriving in our homes, ready to be read, re-read and pored over, with plenty of time to consider their place in the ever-evolving story of Australian children’s literature.
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| Eleri Harris at the Award Ceremony Image © Anna Davidson |
Anna Davidson
Head of Library, The Hutchins School
CBCA 2026/27 Judge: Early Childhood category
Editor's note: Find out more about Tasmanian award winner Eleri Harris and Tasmanian Shadow Judges on the CBCA Tasmania blog.
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