The 2025 Book of the Year Award received 730 entries for 15
judges to assess. The longlist showcases the incredible work of 122 books,
representing 31 publishers, 114 writers and 79 illustrators
The CBCA will announce the 2025 shortlists on Tuesday. There are six categories (Older Readers; Younger Readers; Early Childhood Picture Book; Picture Book of the Year; and the Eve Pownall award for Non Fiction plus one category for a New Illustrator which has no notables list). Six books will be announced in each category and then on 15th August the winners and two honour titles for each category will also be announced.
I have been reading my way through the Notables for Younger Readers and the two picture book categories. Here are my statistics (sampled means I read a chapter or two in a library):
Younger Readers Notables total books 25.
I have read 11, blogged 10, and sampled 5 so I have 9 unread
I have read 11, blogged 10, and sampled 5 so I have 9 unread
Early Childhood Picture Book Notables total books 25.
I have read 12, blogged 11 so I have 13 unread
Picture Book of the Year Notables total books total books 25.
I have read 18, blogged 14 so I have 7 unread
I have included these statistics to show I have not read every book that made each 'long list'. I no longer work in a school library and so I was only able to read books I could borrow from the two libraries where I work as a volunteer along with a couple I couldn't resist buying. For each title I give a link to my blog post and a brief quote from the CBCA judges report.
Younger Readers - my six choices:
"With strong female characters, a well-paced narrative, and a touch of
humour, this book is sure to captivate readers."
"A stunning novel that will resonate with anyone navigating change ... "
"This sensitively written and neuro-affirming text will resonate with child readers."
"A beautifully crafted verse novel that delves into the complexities of friendship
and the way we perceive those around us"
"A compelling and immersive coming-of-age story ... "
"A heart-wrenching and unflinching portrayal of a family torn apart by grief and mental illness."
Here are my Picture Book of the Year choices (I put eight not six):
"a picture book that handles its profound theme with artistic brilliance and sensitivity."
"The minimal yet masterfully crafted text creates emotional
resonance through transformed meanings where the same sounds carry
profoundly different weight across time and place."
"The sumptuous production features an engaging cover and
mango-patterned endpapers, which beautifully echo the grandmother's garden
and the story's cultural roots."
"The text is sophisticated and
descriptive with highly effective use of figurative language."
"the nuanced exploration of loneliness and connection will resonate with readers of every age."
"The significance of the three dresses and their use as a touchstone to
tell the story is skilfully done."
"The narrative's contemplative mood is enhanced by illustrations that demonstrate
accomplished craftsmanship in character development and settings."
"A wonderful resource to talk to children about the power of talking and listening."
Here are the Early Childhood Picture (ages 0-6) books I enjoyed (plus Night Watch which is in two categories):
"Exquisitely illustrated, entertaining and informative, this rhyming counting book introduces
budding entomologists to ten beetles found across Australia. All design elements ...
work cohesively in this highly engaging and accessible picture book."
"This gentle retelling is further enhanced by evocative pencil and digital illustrations in a muted colour palette firmly establishing the setting and time in early twentieth – century Sydney."
"The blend of deadpan humour in the written text and slapstick in the illustrations is masterful."
"Witty, whimsical, and wonderfully imaginative, this enchanting guide to the world of tooth
fairies is a treasure trove for every child who has ever lost a tooth."
"Every design element has been carefully considered."
"Happiness bubbles up and spills over every page of this lyrical picture book as a diverse troupe
of small children play, pretend and take part in the everyday moments of life."
I mentioned this resource previously - Here are links to all the Reading Time reviews.
Reading the judges' comments (I am not trying to 'hedge my bets') I know some of my choices will be overlooked. I do expect the judges will include Stickboy by Matt Ottley; Afloat illustrated by Freya Blackwood and written by Kirli Saunders; and The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood. I did stretch my choices for the Picture Book Category to eight books - with the addition of these that means there are eleven possibilities for Picture Book of the Year shortlisting.
1 comment:
If they are the six Early Childhood books on the shortlist I will be very happy!
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