Children’s Books Winning Open Awards

Children’s Books Winning Open Awards

My Editorial in Magpies Magazine

(reproduced with permission)

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Children’s books are having a time of recognition with a picture book, Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder (Thames & Hudson) winning this year’s overall Book of the Year, as well as best Children’s Picture Book at the 2026 ABIAs (Australian Book Industry Awards). This is a deserving and indisputable win.

Past children’s titles to win the overall ABIA are The 52-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton in 2015 and Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend in 2018. Morrigan Crow also won the overall Indie award. The Indies are generally the first award to be announced each year and, because they are voted for by independent booksellers, are a prescient indicator of books that will become successful.  So, if the ABIAs and Indies are prepared to present their gold awards to books for younger readers, what about other awards?

Only a few of Australia’s prestigious awards that recognise multiple literary categories nominate an overall book of the year. However, two state awards select a winner from the best of their respective categories.

In the NSW Literary Awards, children’s and YA books that have won best overall book are Tjarany Roughtail by Gracie Greene, Joe Tramacchi and Lucille Gill in 1993, The Binna Binna Man by Meme McDonald and Boori Monty Pryor in 2000 and The Arrival by Shaun Tan in 2007.

Why has there been a drought since, particularly when considering that books such as Paradise Sands: A Story of Enchantment by Levi Pinfold, Teacup by Rebecca Young and Matt Ottley, Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty, Laurinda by Alice Pung, Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee and a plethora of other exceptional titles have since won the Patricia Wrightson children’s literature and Ethel Turner YA awards? Has there been an unconscious or other bias against books for the young, or were the other books simply better?

The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards inexplicably cancelled their children’s literature category from 1997 until it was reinstated in 2024. A children’s book, Three Dresses, written and illustrated by newcomer Wanda Gibson, won Book of the Year in 2025. A controversial choice, nevertheless, a win is a win.

Why did the youth literature cited triumph over, no doubt, excellent winners from competing literary categories? Did they represent the zeitgeist? Were they part of a series that was due recognition? Regardless, it is gratifying that judges and others are (sometimes) recognising children’s books. Often overlooked in favour of the traditionally more ‘prestigious’ categories of literary fiction, adult non-fiction and poetry, the best children’s books are equal to the best of any category. Magpies’ readers may claim that they are the best of all.

Jackie French is an iconic author who writes for all ages, from the very young through to schoolchildren, young adults and adults. She masters multiple genres from humour to non-fiction, historical fiction and more. Find out about what makes her tick in our interview about Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King, the first novel in her exciting new ‘Heroes in the Ancient World’ series, inside this issue of Magpies.

Who is speaking up for children’s books? Jackie French is. Consider how you could support her and all those other intrepid souls who are using their voice. You may already be one of them.

Editorial by Joy Lawn (reproduced with permission)

Magpies magazine Contents July 2026, Volume 41 Number 3

Once I was a Giant at Paperbark Words blog

(Thanks to Annabel Rijks from Dmcprmedia for the idea)