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History

The Book of the Year Award is the earliest category of Children's Book Council of Australia awards, first presented in 1946.

No award was presented in 1947 or 1949.

Notes

  • This award is valid from 1946-1986.

    Use this as the preferred award term for the Children's Book Awards between 1946 and 1951 as there was only this one category of the award during this time.

    In 1952, the Picture Book of the Year was created, and in 1982 the Younger Readers category was introduced. References can be linked to these more specific categories otherwise link to the broader Book of the Year Award term until 1986.

    In 1987 the Book of the Year Award was subsumed into the Older Readers category, after this time use the Older Readers award category.

Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 1986

winner y separately published work icon The Green Wind Thurley Fowler , Sydney : Weldon , 1985 Z794653 1985 single work children's fiction children's

Year: 1985

winner (Older Readers) y separately published work icon The True Story of Lilli Stubeck James Aldridge , Melbourne : Hyland House , 1984 Z831040 1984 single work novel young adult 'A wealthy woman takes on the daughter of a poor family to try to tame her, but she doesn't account for Lilli's determination to be herself.'

Year: 1984

winner y separately published work icon A Little Fear Patricia Wrightson , Richmond London : Hutchinson Australia , 1983 Z312060 1983 single work children's fiction children's

A strong-minded old woman struggles with an ancient gnome-like creature for the right to live in the small cottage that she has just bought, on land that the Njimbin has occupied for centuries.

Year: 1983

winner y separately published work icon Master of the Grove Victor Kelleher , Harmondsworth : Penguin , 1982 Z516985 1982 single work novel young adult fantasy

'When his home is destroyed after an attack, Derin sets out to look for his missing father, captured by soldiers of the Citadel. But he is handicapped by his lameness and forced to use a crutch; his only companion on his quest are an old woman, Marna, and a raven which mysteriously attaches itself to him.'

(Source: back cover)

Year: 1982

winner y separately published work icon The Valley Between Colin Thiele , Adelaide : Rigby , 1981 Z269536 1981 single work children's fiction children's adventure humour
VIEW ALL LISTED RECIPIENTS (199)

Works About this Award

Coming-of-Age Tale Wins Book of the Year Wildlife Snares Kids' Book Gong Karen Hardy , 2014 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 16 August 2014; (p. 5) The Age , 16 August 2014; (p. 11)
Better Books for Children Eve Pownall , 1946 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Australasian Book News and Library Journal , August vol. 1 no. 2 1946; (p. 44-47)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (2)
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