Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

Zeno Sworder and Thames & Hudson Australia have skillfully produced a picture book that transcends age, extending the idea of what picture books are and who they are for.

This is my fourth post about this splendid book Once I was a Giant - I have never penned four posts about one book but now that Once I was a Giant and Zeno Sworder have WON the Book of the Year ABIA award I just need to celebrate all over again.

Here is the book cover again with all the award stickers!

Awards: Victorian Premier's Literary Award Winner; CBCA Picture Book of the Year short list 2026; Bologna Ragazzi Awards Amazing Bookshelf selection; Australian Booksellers Association 2026 shortlist; ABIA (Australian Book Industry Award) 2026 Winner

It is rare for a children's book to win the main ABIA award although Bluey at the Beach was the winner in 2020; Nevermoor in 2018; and Shaun Tan's book The Arrival won Australian Book of the year for Older Children in 2006. I wasn't able to find all the past winners so this is just a selection. 

Children's author Andrea Rowe said on Instagram: "If there was ever a moment for our Australian Kidlit community to collectively hug each other and lift an author / illustrator aloft on our shoulders while chanting, it's this moment. Zeno we are so thrilled for you. ... And once more for the people at the back who ask if children's writers are going to write grown-up books - a children's book just won the ABIA award BOOK OF THE YEAR."

Now check out my previous posts:

19th September 2025

21st September 2025

18th March 2026

Thinking again about Once I was a Giant ff you subscribe to Magpies Magazine here in Australia I have to say I was quite dismayed to read the review of Once I was a Giant in May 2026 Vol 41 No. 2 page 35. This reviewer clearly has a different opinion to mine and many other reviewers/bloggers/critics. You might compare her comments with the review from Magpies Magazine Volume 41 No. 1 page 34 which I have referenced in my 18th March blog post (link above).

The Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) are publishers' and literary awards held by the Australian Publishers Association (APA) annually in Australia since 2001. The awards celebrate "the achievements of authors and publishers in bringing Australian books to readers". Award recipients are first selected by an academy of more than 200 industry professionals, and then a shortlist and winners are chosen by judging panels. ABIA present 14 book awards, eight business awards, and the Lloyd O’Neil and Pixie O’Harris awards. Read more about the judging process here.

I should also mention a few of the other ABIA winners:

Of course I am thrilled with the 2022 overall winner!

On the Wing by David Elliott illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

From the graceful cranes flying across its wraparound cover to the single feather on the title page to the soaring eagle at the end, this book astounds. Kirkus Star review

If you have a bird fan in your family this is a book to hunt out in your local or school library. This book would also be good to share with your class as a model of writing succinct poems. It was published in 2014 with a paperback in 2017. I think this book might still be available to order. The short poems about a huge variety of birds are well worth sharing and reading aloud but it was the illustrations in this book that really captured my attention. I especially love the owl; cardinal (male and female); two puffins; and the Japanese crane. 

Here is the poem about the Australian Pelican:

Oh, good heavens!

Oh my word!

The biggest bill of any bird.

Ask the fish - he's no slouch!

The biggest bill, the biggest pouch!

Oh, good heavens!

Oh my word!

What an oddball! What a bird!

And The Puffin

The puffin

is unique - 

especially 

its beak.

Bookseller blurb: Take to the sky to explore a glorious array of all things avian, from the tiny, restless hummingbird to the inscrutable horned owl to the majestic bald eagle. David Elliott and Becca Stadtlander bestow a sense of wonder onto such common birdfeeder visitors as the sparrow, the crow, and the cardinal and capture the exotic beauty of far-flung fowl like the Andean condor, the Australian pelican, and the Caribbean flamingo.

I had not heard of US illustrator Becca Stadtlander and when I hunted out her books online, none were familiar, but many look very appealing. The library I visit each week has a couple more of her titles so I will add them to my 'to borrow/read' list. 

I previously talked about Baabwaa and Wooliam by David Elliott illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Here are some other books by David Elliott:

The Queen on our Corner by Lucy Christopher illustrated by Nia Tudor

Begin with the title - the queen (clearly from the cover this is not image of a queen); our corner - so this is set in a familiar neighborhood. Our not the corner. Think about a shared responsibility to help others. 

"I've been trying to tell Ma about the Queen on our corner. She's right there at the end of our road, in the plot of land that never got built on. ... I didn't notice her before either. Like everyone else, I just walked by."

After she warns the people in the town of a dangerous fire late at night things change.

"The people on our street stop and look. And then they see her. They thank the Queen finally. They give her water and blankets but I know what she wants best is her own palace."

Well not a real palace - just a home. 

Blurb: Nobody notices the unhoused woman on the corner. Nobody, that is . . . except one young girl. Through her eyes, the woman who dwells in the abandoned plot is a warrior queen, with many battles fought and won. When, one day, danger comes to the street and the queen on the corner sounds the alarm, the little girl must find a way to thank her. Can she bring the community together to turn the queen's corner into a home?

This book is an Empathy Lab title. And you could use it to talk about two of the Sustainable Development Goals - 1. No Poverty and 2. Zero Hunger.

I don't always notice dedications but this one from the author is poignant: "To those who see Queens."

The Queen on our Corner is available in paperback so it is title you could consider purchasing for your school library. 

This hopeful tale uses a youthful view of the world to imagine what our society could be like if all people and their experiences were valued and respected, though it leaves caregivers on the hook for explaining to justice-seeking children why the story’s resolution is unlikely in real life. The illustrations match the innocence of the text. Kirkus

The little girl believes the people on her street haven’t noticed the queen and it isn’t until the end of the story, when the queen is hailed as a heroine, that the people ‘see her.’ This would be an interesting theme to explore with children. Is it actually the case that people haven’t seen her? Why might they walk by the queen and not acknowledge her? What does it mean to ‘see’ someone? Should a person, homeless or not, need to prove their worth to be accepted? Just Imagine

Companion books:

Home for Grace

I saw Pete and Pete saw me

This Old Man

The Invisible

It's a no money day

Here are some other books illustrated by Nia Tudor:

Greedy Frog by Gregg Dreise

From the back notes: "Although Tjidalih or Water Holding Frogs aren't found everywhere in Australia, several Aboriginal Indigenous Nations do share Dreaming with these beautiful creatures. Therefore, this story has been turned into a book several times. The frog is known as Tiddalik, yet we pronounce them Tjidalih. The "j" beside the "t" lets you know to put your tongue on the top of your mouth, rather than behind your teeth as is done with the letter "t". Try it."

Here is the opening sentence: "Way back before Once-upon-a-time time, there was the Dreamtime and the outback was in the middle of a drought. Yirray, the sun drank all the water."

Publisher blurb: A clever frog, Tjidalih, promised to take care of all the water. But he kept it in his pouch. The animals had to work out a way to trick Tjidalih, to make him laugh to spill the water. This is the famous story of Tjidalih the Frog retold by Greg Dreise according to the traditions of the Goomelroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. It s a bold imaginative tale underpinned by a wry humour to reinforce the importance of sharing and supporting each other in hard times.

I enjoyed the way Gregg Dreise gives young readers several hints that Tjidalih is 'up to no good':

"Tjidalih had a big, not-so-honest grin on his face."
"Tjidalih had a huge, far-from-honourable smirk on his face."

It would be especially good to talk to your library group about the power of a word like 'smirk' and also when the animals finally get Tjidalih to laugh there is a touch of mockery about this which could be another good discussion point. Tjidalih is laughing at poor Burrung is caught in her own tangle. You could also research the way the final words in this book link with traditional practices of using water-holding frogs (they are real) as a way to obtain water.

It would be so interesting to share Greedy Frog alongside other books that feature this greedy water guzzling frog. With older students you could talk about traditional indigenous stories and the common themes found in stories told in different parts of Australia, by different indigenous storytellers and in different indigenous languages. 

There is also the issue of WHO should re-tell the story and the changes to our thinking about this over time. If you have a High School group you might look for one or two of the very old versions of this tale which did not have indigenous authors - Tiddalick the Frog by Susan Miho Nunes illustrated by Ju-Hong Chen (1989); What made Tiddalik Laugh by Joanna Troughton (from the UK 1986); and I found a Joy Cowley Story Box reading scheme version. (Trove list 67 book references that include the word Tiddalik and 33 with the word Tiddalick)

This version is from 1980

Wikipedia explains the story: In the creation myth, Tiddalik awoke one morning with an insatiable thirst and started to drink until he had gulped down all the available fresh water. Creatures and plant life everywhere began to die due to lack of moisture. Other animals conspired against Tiddalik and devised a plan for him to release all of the water he had consumed. This was successfully coordinated by a wise old owl, when Nabunum the eel made Tiddalik laugh when he tied himself in comical shapes. As Tiddalik laughed, the water rushed out of him to replenish the lakes, swamps and rivers.

Here are some versions that might be in your school library:

Read more here. And also I have a post about Susan L Roth. 

Further reading:

The Aussie Handbook

Museums Victoria

Aboriginal Creation Stories

You could also use Greedy Frog as a way to talk about other trickster tales. 

Gregg Dreise is a gifted artist, storyteller and musician, and he features the didgeridoo and guitar in his performances at schools, libraries and festivals. He is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. He is the author and illustrator of Cunning Crow; Silly Birds; Kookoo Kookaburra; Mad Magpie and My Culture and Me.

I previously talked about Turbo Turtle from this series - every school library needs this full series. 

Read more here on the Magabala web page.

Gregg Dreise also illustrated this version:

What the Macaw Saw by Charlotte Guillain illustrated by Sam Usher

Bookseller blurb: Told in gentle rhyming verse, this beautiful non-fiction picture book follows the story of a flock of colourful macaws as they live their lives in the Amazon rainforest. Through the voice of one of the macaws, we hear about the bounty of the rainforest, as well as the challenges they have faced – threatened by the destruction of their home through machinery and forest fires to make room for vast plantations. Still, there are some areas where the land is protected and they can live a life of freedom among the trees… perhaps in the future, humans will learn the true value of the forest once again Accompanying non-fiction pages at the end of the book include information on endangered macaws, the importance of the rainforest, and the causes of deforestation, as well as what we can do to help.

This book is a perfect example of a well-designed nonfiction book. Younger children will enjoy the first person narrative told in rhyme and then curious older readers can discover more from the four fact pages. 

In the wild Scarlet Macaws live from the south of Mexico, through central American countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras, to as far south as northeast Argentina in South America. Macaws are quite common in the Amazon rainforest but further north the bird is more endangered. 

A picture book that will link to classroom themes on protecting the environment, encouraging young children’s research skills to find out about endangered species, rainforests, birds around the world and to stimulate writing and discussions to persuade and inform on these topics. Just Imagine

What the Macaw Saw was published in 2022, and so I pleased to see it is still available for a really good price in 2026. This book could be a good addition to your library.

There are two other books in this series:

The name of the illustrator - Sam Usher caught my eye. I am a fan of his picture books:

Image source: Sam Usher

Publisher bio: Sam Usher studied illustration at the University of West England. His debut picture book Can You See Sassoon? was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize and the Red House Children's Book Award. He lives in London with an ancient housemate, and when he's not holding a pen and wobbling at paper, you'll find him playing the piano, eating chocolate and trespassing.

Charlotte Guillain is the author of over 100 books. I need to say I had not heard of her - but now I will hunt out more of her books. She creates books with her husband Adam. 

Meet the illustrator Zuzanna Celej

Bookseller blurb: We have always been told about the power of imagination, but what is imagination? How does it work? There is a magical place where you can always be yourself. In there you can turn on your light and illuminate your life with it. That place is your imagination. Your imagination has a life and a voice of its own. It is like a voice that speaks inside of you and paints everything around you with vivid colors. Within your imagination you are the king or queen of your creation. Open the door and discover how that place where we can always be ourselves is like and how does it work. And within your imagination ... what is there?

Zuzanna Celej is a new discovery for me - I picked up the book Inside my Imagination and was immediately drawn to the illustrations. As usual, I wondered why/how the library where I work as a volunteer had selected this book. It turns out it won a couple of awards - albeit awards I have never heard of, such as the Moonbeam Children's Book Award. 

Zuzanna Celej is an award-winning children's book illustrator as well as an artist and painter. She has illustrated more than fifty children's books (the majority are in Spanish), including The Map of Good Memories by Fran Nuño, which won the New York City Big Book Award, The Lighthouse of Souls by Ariel Andrés Almada, The Old Oak Legacy by J. L. Badal, Tania Val de Lumbre by Maria Parr, El secreto de Abuelo Oso by Pedro Mañas and Inside My Imagination by Marta Arteaga, which won the Moonbeam Children's Book Award for Best Illustrator and the Living Now Book Award for a children's picture book. Originally from Poland, Zuzanna now lives in Barcelona.

I was not able to find a book source for this image - but I do think it is very delicate and beautiful:

Here are some more books illustrated by Zuzanna Celej:

Read more here

Publisher blurb: What is a lighthouse of souls? It's the light that guides Leo and his grandpa over distant seas, to discover those who wait every night for a gentle word to help them fall asleep with a smile on their lips. The Lighthouse of Souls is not only a tender tale of the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren, but also between all of those who look for something they share in common: a light that guides them towards hope.

Bookseller blurb: Moon knew it was unusual to see a green turtle. Out of all the sea turtles in the world, they were the species that was most at risk. "What is it Turtle? Why are you here?" The turtle beckoned, Come, with its strong front flipper, and, as if it had actually spoken, Moon knew that it wanted to show her something. Many animals are in danger because of human activities. An animal at risk of extinction is a species that will only be around for a short while longer, unless steps are taken to save it. Moon 's Messenger reminds us of the importance of conserving and respecting the environment, and that we can all help to protect nature and biodiversity.

Read an interview with Zuzanna Calej on Let's Talk Picture Books 

With Butterfly’s Wings is a tender story about a girl who loses her beloved grandmother 

and finds comfort in remembering her through what she learned from her.

Meet the illustrator Anna Walker

Anna Walker launched her newest book at Gleebooks on Saturday. I have loved her work for decades but had never heard her talk or had the chance to introduce myself. Here is her newest book:

Publisher blurb: In a small boat, the turtle sets off on a journey to deliver dreams in the nearby city. Meanwhile, a young girl, scared in the night by the shadows in her room, finds comfort in her toys ... but cannot sleep. As the two stories unfold side by side, the young girl and the intrepid turtle must each harness their courage and overcome their fears as their worlds collide in the most wonderful, magical way.

Kirkus review: With few words, Walker beautifully blurs the borders between consciousness and sleep as the intrepid turtle’s actions result in tender dreams for the youngster. Vivid, expressive watercolors accentuated with spray paint use texture confidently—splotchy, speckled, and sparkling—to convey the story’s narrative arc. Sparkling, splendid artistic techniques create a world worth lingering in. 

This book may just be my very favourite of Anna’s. It is almost a wordless picture book that resembles a graphic novel format with story panels throughout, there is so much scope to make the story your own. I may have cried the first time I read this gem, it is such a powerful and beautiful reassuring tale of courage, hope and finding light, even in the darkest moments. This is storytelling at its very finest, and as we find ourselves debating and discussing support for nostalgia vs contemporary picture books and also the importance of quality storytelling and art experiences for children, Anna’s entire catalogue is a masterclass in picture books being a rich storytelling experience and also an absolute work of art! Rachel Robson Gleebooks

Anna Walker bio from her webpage: Anna Walker is an illustrator and author of picture books based in Naarm/Melbourne. Using traditional mediums, Anna creates stories inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. Her books include Florette - New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book, Mr Huff shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and winner of the CBCA book of the year Early Childhood. Her most recent book is The Dream Keeper, an exquisitely imagined journey of imagination and courage.

Anna Walker contributed her art to the launch of The Little Bookroom. Here is her Instagram page. Here is an interview with Let's Talk Picture Books. 

Some things I discovered at the book launch for Dream Keeper:

• This book took seven years to create - you need to share this with your students and also adults who think they could so easily just throw some words and illustrations together for a picture book!
• Anna completed 110 drafts of this story.
• She used spray paint and a stencil for some of her illustrations.
• Take time to linger over the end papers which are different front and back. The back ones are sure to generate some deeper discussions with an older group of students.
• Anna Walker calls her book "a story in a story".
• Notice the toys in the child's bedroom and the compare these with the animals on the island and with the final end paper.

Questions I did not ask at Gleebooks last weekend:

• Your new book Dream Keeper is almost wordless - did you consider making it completely wordless? Do you like this form? 
• Do you prefer to work alone as author and illustrator - many of your books are collaborations especially with Jane Godwin.
• Can you tell us about your plans for any new books?
• Can you talk about your CBCA awards and in particular your award for New Illustrator with your first book Santa's Aussie Holiday.

Anna Walker awards (an abridged list):

• 2026 Between by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2024 A Life Song, written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker | Winner of the Australian Book Industry Awards for Children’s Picture Book of the Year (ages 0-6)
• 2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Winner of the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award, 0 - 3 category
• 2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Shortlisted the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year: Early Childhood Award
• 2023 Snap! by Anna Walker  | Selected as a 'White Raven'—a prestigious annual selection of 200 books for children from around the world by the International Youth Library based in Germany.
• 2022 Don’t Forget, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2021 Hello Jimmy!, by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2020 Tilly, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2020 Lottie and Walter, by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2019 Go Go and the Silver Shoes, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Received a Notable in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
• 2018 Florette by Anna Walker | Won The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature
• 2018 Florette by Anna Walker | Shortlisted for CBCA Book of the year
• 2018 Shortlisted in the Australian Book Design Association Best Designed Children’s Illustrated Book: Florette
• 2016 Winner of the Book of the year: Early Childhood, CBCA – Mr Huff by Anna Walker
• 2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Short List: Peggy by Anna Walker.
• 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Children’s fiction shortlist: Peggy by Anna Walker
• 2011 CBCA Awards 2011 Early Childhood Notable: I Don’t Believe in Dragons
• 2010 58th Book Design Awards of Australia Lets Play House
• 2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Dance
• 2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Sing
• 2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Holidays
• 2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Birthdays
• 2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable Little Cat and the Big Red Bus

Books I have explored here on this blog illustrated by Anna Walker:

Peggy

Kirkus Star review: A charmer of a chicken has a big adventure ...

Don't Forget

A Life Song

Mr Huff

What do you wish for?

I own a limited edition print from Florette. The Kirkus Star review said: Lessons in both gumption and the sacred nature of urban green spaces.

About Hello Jimmy Kirkus said: Walker’s artwork is delicate and understated; gentle precision gives a light touch to everything from facial expressions to chairs, shoes, and headphones.

Here is one of her newest books:

Anna Walker talks to Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words about this book

Other books to explore about dreams (a few here are from Bookroo):

When the world is dreaming

The big dreaming