ABC Radio National: Each year we focus on a different theme. In 2026, we're celebrating Australian writing in all its many forms. ... Our definition of Australian is deliberately broad. We want to celebrate books that reflect Australia and Australian life in all its richness. ... There are no genre restrictions.
As you would expect I am going to list the Children's Books that 'made' this list. I predicted NONE of my choices would be listed but in fact ONE of mine is there! Nineteen children's books are in the top 100 so that is something to celebrate even though a few of were written many decades ago. And I have listed a few others that were later published as young reader or abridged editions.
IBBY Australia Honour Book 2010; Shaun Tan IBBY Australia Hans Christian Andersen nominee; Shaun Tan winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2011.
The Arrival is a title on the IBBY International Silent Books list (2013).
100. Round the Twist by Paul Jennings
99. The 13-Storey Tree house by Andy Griffiths
98. The Arrival by Shaun Tan*
91. Where the Forest meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker*
83. Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan illustrated by Pamela Lofts
70. Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French* illustrated by Bruce Whatley*
62. Are we there yet? by Alison Lester*
55. The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay (1918)
48. Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox* illustrated by Judy Horacek
47. Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park (1980)
42. The Complete adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs (1918)
37. I can jump puddles by Alan Marshall (1955)
32. Animalia by Graeme Base
25. Seven Little Australian by Ethel Turner (1893)
19. Magic Beach by Alison Lester
17. Storm Boy by Colin Thiele (the best edition is the one illustrated by Robert Ingpen 1974)
13. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta (1992)
11. Possum Magic by Mem Fox illustrated by Julie Vivas
6. Tomorrow when the War Began by John Marsden
* the labels on this post will take you to more books by these authors and illustrators.
I also need to mention 59. The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku because there is a picture book edition and 60. The Man from Snowy River by AB Banjo Paterson which you can read in several picture books. There are abridged editions written for young readers of 21. My Place by Sally Morgan; 24. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, 12. Dark Emu was published for young readers as Young Dark Emu and 50. Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. I guess I should also have added 81. We of the Never Never by Jeanie Gunn published in 1907.
Illustrated by Freya Blackwood*
Cookbooks on the list:
22. The Birthday Cake Book (Australian Women's Weekly)
96. Recipe Tin Eats Dinner
56. The Cooks Companion Stephanie Alexander
I mentioned this book in my post about Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr
You will also want to watch the Bluey Episode "Duck Cake" season 2 episode 43.
Round the Twist was a television series based on several previous short stories found in collections by Paul Jennings such as Unreal. My own favourite Paul Jenning stories are One Shot Toothpaste and Smart Ice cream.
If you are curious here are my votes:
Tiger Daugher; Fox; Picasso and the Greatest Show on earth; Then and Now; The Foal in the wire; Scar Town; The way of Dog; and Across the Risen Sea. My tenth book is My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder.
No comments:
Post a Comment