Children's Book Council of Australia
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn Australian not-for-profit organisation that promotes children's literature, reading, and literary quality for young Australians.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a national not-for-profit organisation devoted to strengthening children's engagement with literature in Australia. Its most visible activity is the annual Children's Book of the Year Awards, which recognise books judged to have literary merit and to make an important contribution to Australian children's literature. Through these awards, the organisation supports authors, illustrators, publishers, teachers, librarians, families, and young readers, while helping establish a shared national conversation about the quality and diversity of books available to children. The organisation's public history is closely associated with Children's Book Week. In 1945, Children's Book Week was held across Australia for the first time under the theme “United Through Books”, establishing a recurring national framework for encouraging children to discover and discuss books. The first Australian Children's Book of the Year Award followed in 1946. Initially there was only one category; this category is now identified with the CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers Award. The awards gradually broadened as the Australian children's publishing field developed. A Picture Book category was introduced in 1952, the Younger Readers category in 1982, the Eve Pownall Award for Non-Fiction in 1993, and the Early Childhood category in 2001. In 2019, a New Illustrator Award was added, replacing the Crichton Award for Children's Book Illustration, which had operated from 1988 to 2018. In 2022, child-led Shadow Judging panels were introduced across the award categories so that young readers could express their own preferences alongside the formal judging process. CBCA is organised nationally through branches in every Australian state and territory, with some branches also operating sub-branches. The branches are largely autonomous but generally work within guidelines established by the national organisation. A National Board was established in 2012 to represent the branches and coordinate national responsibilities. These responsibilities include administering the annual Book of the Year Awards and prize presentations, supporting Children's Book Week, overseeing the organisation's merchandise program, publishing the online review journal Reading Time, and organising biennial National Conferences. The organisation's work extends beyond awards and events. It has supported the development of research and archival infrastructure for Australian children's literature through the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature, formerly known as the Lu Rees Archives. The Centre preserves books, research files, papers, manuscripts, artwork, and translated editions connected with Australian authors, illustrators, publishers, and their creative work. Its collection includes more than 40,000 books, including approximately 4,000 overseas translations in 58 languages, as well as more than 510 research files. The Centre's mission is to make this material available through research, programs, events, and exhibitions, thereby increasing understanding and appreciation of Australian children's literature. The CBCA's award program was initially supported by government grants between 1966 and 1988. Later funding came from individual donations, corporate support, and sponsorship. A five-year partnership with the Myer Group provided annual support of $50,000, and after that partnership ended the organisation established the CBCA Awards Foundation in 1996. The Foundation raised more than one million dollars, with investment proceeds intended to fund award prizes on an ongoing basis. Benefactors and major donors are acknowledged in CBCA print and electronic materials. The CBCA therefore combines literary recognition, public programming, professional support, education, and preservation, making it a central institution in Australia's children's book culture.
History
The Children's Book Council of Australia developed as a national advocate for children's reading and Australian children's literature. Its early public activity is represented by the first nationwide Children's Book Week in 1945, held under the theme “United Through Books”. The event provided a national platform for schools, libraries, families, and children to participate in book-related activities. In 1946, the organisation presented the first Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At that stage the program had a single category, which later became associated with the award for Older Readers. The award structure expanded over subsequent decades to reflect the growing range of Australian children's publishing. The Picture Book category was added in 1952, followed by the Younger Readers category in 1982. The Eve Pownall Award for Non-Fiction was introduced in 1993, and the Early Childhood category in 2001. The former Crichton Award for Children's Book Illustration, established in 1988, recognised emerging illustration talent through 2018. It was replaced by the New Illustrator Award in 2019. In 2022, the CBCA added Shadow Judging to each award category, giving panels of children an organised opportunity to select their preferred books and adding a young-reader perspective to the established professional judging process. Funding arrangements for the awards changed over time. Government grants supported the program from 1966 to 1988. Later support came from donations, corporate contributions, and sponsorships. A five-year partnership with the Myer Group provided $50,000 per year. When that arrangement ended, the CBCA established the CBCA Awards Foundation in 1996. The Foundation raised more than one million dollars, and investment proceeds were designed to support the award prizes in perpetuity. The Foundation's funding model also formalised long-term recognition of benefactors and major donors in CBCA publications and electronic materials. The CBCA operates through a national structure of state and territory branches, some of which have sub-branches. Although the branches are mostly autonomous, they generally follow national guidelines. The National Board, established in 2012, represents the branches and coordinates national functions. These functions include managing the Book of the Year Awards, presenting prizes, coordinating Children's Book Week, producing merchandise, publishing Reading Time, and running biennial National Conferences. The organisation also has an important preservation and research role. Lu Rees, founding President of the CBCA's ACT Branch, proposed in 1974 that Australian children's authors and illustrators should be documented through research files and a dedicated book collection. In 1980, the collection was deposited at the University of Canberra Library to make it publicly accessible. A related effort to gather foreign-language editions of Australian children's books began in response to the International Year of the Child in 1979. These initiatives developed into the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature, formerly called the Lu Rees Archives. The Centre holds more than 40,000 books, approximately 4,000 translated editions in 58 languages, more than 510 research files, and significant collections of papers, manuscripts, and artwork. It operates as an incorporated body in the Australian Capital Territory with its own board and foundation and continues to make resources available through programs, exhibitions, events, and research services. Alongside the principal Book of the Year Awards, the broader CBCA awards network includes honours such as the Nan Chauncy Award for an outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature and state-based service awards including the Dame Annabelle Rankin Award, Leila St John Award, and Lady Cutler Award. Together with Children's Book Week, Reading Time, conferences, branches, and archival work, these activities position the CBCA as both an awards institution and a long-running national infrastructure for Australia's children's literature community.
- 2022
Shadow Judging introduced
[1]Child-led Shadow Judging panels were added to each award category, allowing young readers to choose preferred winners alongside the formal awards process.
- 2019
New Illustrator Award added
[1]The New Illustrator Award was introduced, replacing the Crichton Award for Children's Book Illustration, which had run from 1988 through 2018.
- 2012
National Board established
[1]A National Board was established to represent the CBCA's state and territory branches and coordinate national activities.
- 2001
Early Childhood category introduced
[1]The Early Childhood category was added, bringing the principal award program to five categories at that time.
- 1996
CBCA Awards Foundation established
[1]Following the end of a major Myer Group sponsorship, the CBCA established an Awards Foundation that subsequently raised more than one million dollars to support prizes through investment income.
- 1993
Eve Pownall Award for Non-Fiction introduced
[1]The CBCA added a dedicated award for non-fiction books for children.
- 1982
Younger Readers category introduced
[1]The awards expanded with a category for books aimed at younger independent readers.
- 1952
Picture Book category introduced
[1]A dedicated Picture Book category was added to the awards.
- 1946
First Australian Children's Book of the Year Award
[1]The CBCA presented its first Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. The program initially consisted of a single category, now associated with Older Readers.
- 1945
First nationwide Children's Book Week
[1]Children's Book Week was held across Australia for the first time under the theme “United Through Books”, creating a national platform for encouraging children's reading.
Products and positioning
A national literary and cultural organisation that promotes high-quality Australian children's books through awards, reading initiatives, professional programs, public events, and preservation of children's literature heritage.
Literary awards · 1946
CBCA Book of the Year Awards
The CBCA's principal annual awards recognise books of literary merit in Australian children's publishing. The program includes categories for Older Readers, Younger Readers, Picture Books, Early Childhood, and Non-Fiction, together with the New Illustrator Award. The awards provide a national framework for identifying, discussing, and promoting notable books for young Australians.
Reading promotion program · 1945
Children's Book Week
A national reading-promotion program involving schools, libraries, families, and children. First held across Australia in 1945, it uses books, events, activities, and merchandise to encourage children to participate in literary culture and discover Australian children's writing and illustration.
Online review journal
Reading Time
The CBCA's online reviewing journal publishes critical discussion and reviews connected with children's and young adult literature. It supports the organisation's broader role in literary evaluation and provides a platform for readers, educators, librarians, and professionals interested in children's books.
Archive and research centre · 1980
National Centre for Australian Children's Literature
Formerly known as the Lu Rees Archives, the Centre preserves more than 40,000 books, around 4,000 translated editions in 58 languages, over 510 research files, and collections of authors' and illustrators' papers, manuscripts, and artwork. It makes these resources available through research, programs, exhibitions, and events.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Children's Book Week
Australia
The first Children's Book Week held across Australia used the theme “United Through Books” and established a recurring national initiative for promoting children's reading and participation in literary activities.
Outcome. It became one of the CBCA's continuing national programs and a major public expression of its mission.
Brand decisions
2022
Introduction of Shadow JudgingStrategyBackground
The established awards process relied on formal judging, while the organisation also sought to reflect children's own reading responses.
Action taken
Child-led Shadow Judging panels were added to every award category so that children could select their preferred winners.
Aftermath
The awards incorporated a parallel young-reader perspective alongside the official judging results.
2019
Replacement of the Crichton Award with the New Illustrator AwardGeneration changeBackground
The Crichton Award for Children's Book Illustration had recognised new illustration talent from 1988 to 2018.
Action taken
The CBCA introduced the New Illustrator Award in 2019 as the successor to the Crichton Award.
Aftermath
Recognition of emerging children's book illustration continued under the new award name.
2012
Creation of a National BoardStrategyBackground
The CBCA operated through branches in every Australian state and territory, with branches retaining substantial autonomy.
Action taken
A National Board was established to represent the branches and coordinate national responsibilities, including awards, Children's Book Week, merchandise, Reading Time, and conferences.
Aftermath
The National Board provided a formal national structure while the branch network continued to support local activity.
1996
Establishment of the CBCA Awards FoundationStrategyBackground
After a five-year Myer Group partnership ended, the organisation needed a longer-term funding mechanism for its awards program.
Action taken
The CBCA established the Awards Foundation, which raised more than one million dollars and invested proceeds intended to fund award prizes on an ongoing basis.
Aftermath
The Foundation became a continuing source of award funding, with benefactors and major donors acknowledged in CBCA materials.
Sources2 sources
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