Notable titles in the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards

The CBCA presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.

Four of UQP’s books have been selected as Notable titles in the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards:

• The Frog’s First Song: Jazz Money and Jason Phu – Picture Book

• My Mum is a Bird: Angie Cui and Evie Barrow – Picture Book

• Little Bones: Sandy Bigna – Younger Readers

• Song of a Thousand Seas: Zana Fraillon – Younger Readers

A huge congratulations to the authors and illustrators behind these gorgeous books.

The CBCA was founded in 1945, in a time when Australian children’s books were few and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. The Book of the Year Awards was established in 1946. The Awards aim to:

• promote quality literature for young Australians by Australians
• support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of books for young people aged 0 to 18
• celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature.

These awards are now the most influential and highly respected literary award for children in Australia. The Awards affirm the quality of some of Australia’s most creative people and provide a boost to their capacity to devote time to their craft.

Submissions are now open for the 2027 Book of the Year Awards.

Learn more about the CBCA and the Book of the Year Awards here.