CBCA Book of the Year 2013 - Shortlist Announcement

Civic Library today held a wonderful event for this year's Children's Book Council of Australia Shortlist announcement. Judges from all over Australia were in attendance, along with the divine Boori Monty Pryor, Children's Laureate and other special guests.

The gorgeous Rosemary Thomas made a fabulous emcee {above, second from right}. She introduced CBCA President for the ACT, Leanne Barrett {above right} who welcomed guests and honoured the Indigenous landowners of Canberra so eloquently.

We then heard from Vanessa Little, Director of Libraries ACT, who spoke on the connection between books and libraries. She also spoke of the continuing work of Love 2 Read (formally the National Year of Reading).

Next we heard from CBCA National President Angela Briant . . .

. . . and then - my favourite part of the Shortlist Announcement - the involvement of kids. From little poppets to senior students, it was fantastic to hear their thoughts on which books should be shortlisted.

I was so delighted to see a young girl choose Australian Story - what great taste she has. ;)

It was then onto the Real Deal. Each category and the shortlisted books were read out by Vanessa Little and Belle Alderman from the Lu Rees Archive.

And - drum roll, please - here is the 2013 shortlist!

Older Readers Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Grant, Neil The Ink Bridge Allen & Unwin 9781742376691 Lanagan, Margo Sea Hearts Allen & Unwin 9781742375052 MacLeod, Doug The Shiny Guys Penguin Group 9780143565307 Touchell, Dianne Creepy & Maud Fremantle Press 9781921888953 Wakefield, Vikki Friday Brown Text Publishing 9781921922701 Zail, Suzy The Wrong Boy Black Dog Books, Walker Books Australia 9781742031651 These books are for mature readers Younger Readers Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN French, Jackie Pennies for Hitler Angus & Robertson, HarperCollins 9780732292096 French, Simon Other Brother Walker Books Australia 9781921720833 Gleitzman, Morris After Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075447 Hartnett, Sonya Children of the King Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076130 Herrick, Steven Pookie Aleera is Not my Boyfriend University of Queensland Press 9780702249280 Millard, Glenda Ill. Stephen Michael King The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk HarperCollins 9780733329838 Intended for independent younger readers. Early Childhood Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Allen, Emma Ill. Freya Blackwood The Terrible Suitcase Scholastic Press, Omnibus Books 9781862919402 Cox, Tania Ill. Karen Blair With Nan Windy Hollow Books 9781921136122 DeGennaro, Sue The Pros & Cons of Being a Frog Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742830636 Dubosarsky, Ursula Ill. Andrew Joyner Too Many Elephants in This House Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075461 Harris, Christine Ill. Ann James It's a Miroocool! Little Hare Books, Hardie Grant Egmont 9781921541018 Walker, Anna Peggy Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742832708 Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages. Picture Book Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Brooks, Ron Ill. Julie Hunt The Coat Allen & Unwin 9781741146059 Goodman, Vivienne Ill. Margaret Wild Tanglewood Omnibus Books Scholastic Press 9781862915701 Gordon, Gus Herman and Rosie Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076031 Lester, Alison Sophie Scott Goes South Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670880683 Mullins, Patricia Ill. Glenda Millard Lightning Jack Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781741693911 Wilson, Mark Ill. Jackie French A Day to Remember Angus & Robertson, Harper Collins 9780732293604 Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years range (Some books may be for mature readers). Eve Pownall Award for Information Books Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Cheng, Christopher & Jackson, Mark Python Walker Books, Australia 9781921529603 Kerin, Jackie Ill. Gouldthorpe, Peter Lyrebird! A True Story Museum Victoria 9781921833045 Murray, Kirsty Topsy-turvy World: How Australian Animals Puzzled Early Explorers National Library of Australia 9780642277497 Queensland Art Gallery Portrait of Spain for Kids Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art 9781921503467 Weidenbach, Kristin Ill. Ide, Timothy Tom the Outback Mailman Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia 9780734412249 Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. (Some books may be for mature readers).

Huge congrats to everyone who shortlisted! most especially my fellow National Library of Australia author, Kirsty Murray, for her stunning book Topsy-Turvy World and the gorgeous Andy Joyner (who I am working with on a book!) for his fantabulous Too Many Elephants in this House! book with Ursula Dubosarsky.

The other reason I love events like this - beyond the joy of revelling in great books - is that I get to spend time with really beautiful, supportive and gorgeous people. It was a joy to catch up with so many wonderful peeps, including my gorgeous author pal Tracey Hawkins and the truly divine Boori Monty Pryor, who is in town for a whirlwind visit. He even brought me a little pressie from the Bologna Children's Book Fair. What a sweetheart.

Make sure you get your hands on the shortlisted and notable books before 23 August, when the winners will be announced. Good luck, everyone!