The Book Chook: Children's Book Council of Australia 2009 Winners

This week is Book Week in Australia, 22 - 28 August 2009. The theme this year is Book Safari. The Book Chook plans to celebrate by finding a shady tree, and catching up on some reading for a few days.

Book Week in Australia also means the Children's Book Council of Australia announces their winners. The Book Chook doesn't agree with all of their choices, or more accurately, the books they didn't choose. But it must be an incredibly difficult task, given the quality of Australian literature. There may not be as robust an Australian publishing industry in the future if Parallel Import Restrictions on books are lifted, so this Book Week has been tinged with sadness for me, and fear for our cultural and literary future.

Book of the Year: Older Readers
(These books are for mature readers)

Tan, Shaun Tales from Outer Suburbia Allen & Unwin

Honour Books: Older Readers
Eaton, Anthony Into White Silence Random House Australia
French, Jackie A Rose for the Anzac Boys HarperCollinsPublishers

Book of the Year: Younger Readers
(These books are intended for independent younger readers)

Millard, Glenda Perry Angel’s Suitcase ABC Books
Illus: King, Stephen Michael

Honour Books: Younger Readers

Bateson, Catherine The Wish Pony Random House Australia
Gleitzman, Morris Then Viking, Penguin Group Australia

Book of the Year: Early Childhood
(Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages)

Graham, Bob How to Heal a Broken Wing Walker Books (Book Chook review)

Honour Books: Early Childhood

King, Stephen Michael Leaf Scholastic Australia
Sullivan, Rosemary Tom Tom Working Title Press
Illus: Huxley, Dee

Picture Book of the Year:
(Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. Some books may be for mature readers)
Arranged by Illustrator

Dunstan, Kylie Collecting Colour Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette

Honour Books: Picture Book of the Year

Ottley, Matt Home and Away Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette
Text: Marsden, John
Thompson, Colin The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness Random House Australia

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books:
(Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years range. Some books may be for mature readers)

Hall, Lincoln Alive in the Death Zone Random House Australia

Honour Books: Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Duborsarky, Ursula The Word Spy Viking, Penguin Group Australia
Illus: Tohby Riddle
Greenwood, Mark Simpson and his Donkey Walker Books (Book Chook review coming soon!)
Illus: Lessac, Frané

Find out more about all the wonderful books that were shortlisted, notable, or won, at the CBCA website. Have a look around while you're there. There's a not-very-comprehensive list of Australian author sites.