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Thursday, 15 August 2019

From 17 to 23 August, we are celebrating the annual Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week. The 2019 theme is 'Reading is My Secret Power' and is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate literature for young Australians. 

During Book Week, the CBCA Book of the Year is announced. Established in 1946, the award aims to promote quality literature for young Australians, support and encourage a wide range of writers as well as illustrators and celebrate contributions to Australian literature. Please see below the winner and shortlist for the category of 'Picture Book of the Year'. You can borrow or reserve these items through our catalogue. 

Winner:

Cicada by Shaun Tan

Cicada works in a tall building as a data entry clerk, dutifully toiling day after day for unappreciative bosses and being bullied by his co-workers. He has been there for 17 years and never taken a sick day or made a mistake. One day, Cicada goes to the roof of the building and something truly extraordinary happens. This is a story for anyone who has ever felt unappreciated, overlooked or overworked. 

Honours:

The Mediterranean by Armin Greder

Precarious boats navigate the waters of the sea from south to north and sometimes, it is not only hope that drowns. The author and illustrator of this title uses his distinctive charcoal drawings to depict a dark world with global dimension. The only words in the story are a single sentence indicating that a lifeless body has been found in the water. The reader then needs to examine the pictures to draw conclusions about what happened.

The all new must have Orange 430 by Michael Speechley

Harvey owned a heap of stuff but could always use more. The Orange 430 was the latest and the greatest; he didn't know what it did but had to have it! This is a cheeky picture book for anyone who has bought a thingy or whatsit...you don't quite know what it is or why you own it. 

Other titles in shortlist:

The feather by Margaret Wild (author) and Freya Blackwood (illustrator)

When a great feather drifts from the leaden sky, two children recognise its extraordinariness and take it to the village for its protection. The villagers however want to encase it, upon which the feather will lose its radiance.  

Girl on wire by Lucy Estela 

This is a simple yet uplifting allegory of a young girl struggling to build her self-esteem and overcome the anxiety that many children feel as they grow. She walks the tightrope; afraid she will fall but walks with the support of those she loves. 

Chalk boy by Margaret Wild (author) and Mandy Ord (illustrator)

A soulful and heart-warming story about what happens when a pavement artist's drawing comes to life.