Momo celebrating time to read: CBCA Notables for 2024

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

CBCA Notables for 2024

Each year the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) judges read hundreds of books (over 600 this year) and then they select up to 25 in each of five categories as Notables. (Note the New Illustrator award does not have a Notable list - but there will be a short list). Here is a quote from the CBCA press release:

The CBCA received 656 entries for their 15 expert judges to assess. The long list showcases the outstanding work of 118 books, representing 43 publishers, 122 writers, and 72 illustrators. It is a healthy indicator of growth for the industry that the list includes 27 new creators.

The Notables are the Long List. The big announcement was made across the nation last night at 7pm. I attended the Sydney event with enthusiastic people from the children's literature world - authors, illustrators, publishers, and of course most importantly Teacher-Librarians. On 19th March the six short listed books in each category will be announced and on 11th August we will know the winners for 2024. In the meantime, there will be lots of reading and talking and sharing and analysis.

Every title on the Notables List demonstrates high production values, with writing that is appropriate, considered and highly evolved, and the illustrations by accomplished artists support and expand the narratives with flair and confidence. Creators in our 2024 Notables list include both new and experienced voices.

You can see a pdf of these lists here.

On this blog I have previously talked about:

The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham

Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker

City of Light by Mark and Heather Jackson

Stay for Dinner by Sandhya Parapukkaran and Michelle Pereira

Desert Jungle by Jeannie Baker

Plague by Jackie French illustrated by Bruce Whatley

You can also read more about Briony Stewart and Sophie Blackall.

On this blog I have previously talked about:

Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd

Evie Dreams Big by Matt Stanton

Meet me at the Moon Tree by Shivuan Plozza

Scar Town by Tristan Bancks

Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer

The Sideways orbits of Evie Hart by Samera Kamaleddine

You can also read about the first book where we meet Huda by H Hayek.

On this blog I have previously talked about:

Australia Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft

Eat my Dust by Lucia Masciullo and Neridah McMullin

The forgotten song - Saving the regent honeyeater by Coral Vass and Jess Racklyeft

I have also talked about the previous books by Jess McGeachin; and by Brentos; and Mark Wilson.

On this blog I have previously talked about:

Grace Notes by Karen Comer (Young adult book)

Picasso and the Greatest Show on Earth by Anna Fienberg

I have previously talked about:

Ruby's Repair Cafe by Michelle Worthington and Zoe Bennett

The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham

These Little Feet by Hayley Rawsthorne illustrated by Briony Stewart

Read more about Briony Stewart; Margaret Wild; and Cate James

FURTHER READING

Use this link to read critiques of each title written by the 2024 judges.

This link will take you to all the Reading Time reviews of the Notable titles.

This link will take you to reviews by The Book Muse.

MISSING MISSING MISSING

I talked about my Picture Book and Early Childhood and Eve Pownall predictions earlier this week and yes once again I selected book that didn't make the cut. Here are some books I expected to see on the notables list in the Younger Readers category. It is perhaps possible they were not submitted but all of these have five stars from me!