Children’s Book Council of Australia 2026 Shortlist (CBCA)

Updated April 21, 2026
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City of Vincent City of Vincent
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Children’s Book Council of Australia 2026 Shortlist (CBCA)

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Spirit of the crocodile
Fa'aoso, Aaron; Tucker, Michelle Scott; White, Lyn
Ebook
Caution! this book contains deadly reptiles
Tutt, Corey; Williams, Ben
Paper Book
This is the ultimate reptile book for kids by DeadlyScience founder Corey Tutt, bestselling author of The First Scientists. Bursting with vibrant illustrations and cool facts about more than 60 reptiles, Corey celebrates First Nations knowledge about animals found on Country, from lizards and...
Tim tie-your-shoelaces!
Barton, Sally.
Paper Book
Goosebumps meets The Treehouse in this wonderful first instalment of a hilarious new series, Something Terrible. Tim Mulligan lives at 25 Rufus Street. You might be surprised to know that is his name, because most people think his name is Tim Tie-your-shoelaces. But no...
Little bones
Bigna, Sandy
Paper Book
Since the accident, eleven-year-old Bones spends her time drawing animal skeletons and scavenging for dead things to add to her collection. She's drifted away from her friends and doesn't want to make new ones, especially not with her chatty new neighbour, Tenny. One night, under a full...
Unhallowed halls
Wilkinson, Lili
Paper Book
DARK ACADEMIA...WITH DEMONS. After a deadly incident at her old school, Page enrols in Agathion College, an exclusive boarding school, only to find that it's built over centuries of secrets - including an ancient society potentially linked to demonic magic. Perfect for fans of Lynette Noni and Leigh...
The thylacine and the time machine
Treml, Renée
Paper Book
Violet is researching the Tasmanian Tiger for a school project when she is visited by the ghost of the last Thylacine, who takes her on an amazing trip in a time machine. A fascinating and funny graphic novel exploring the past and future of the most enigmatic extinct Australian native animal.<...
Darkest night, brightest star
Jonsberg, Barry
Paper Book
What makes a good man? Morgan Pickford isn't sure yet, but he's doing his best to find out, even though it's complicated. A life-affirming YA novel about fractured families, tough talk, masculinity, finding friendship and overturning expectations from an internationally acclaimed, bestselling...
Bob and Dob
Avery, Sean E. (Sean Edward), author illustrator.
Paper Book
A hilarious new take on tall tales and "crying wolf" from the award-winning creator of Frank's Red Hat and Ducky the Spy There was once a small bird called BOB. BOB had a brother. BOB's brother was named DOB. DOB enjoyed telling tales that got his brother BOB...
Inked
Wasson, Karen
Paper Book
The best-selling and hilarious Australian graphic novel about a kid who just wants to blend in and an opera-singing octopus who loves to stand out! The perfect enemies-to-besties read for fans of Remy Lai's Pawcasso and Raina Telgemeier's Drama.<...
Tiwi in Paris
Illortaminni, Glen Farmer, author, illustrator.
Paper Book
2026 CBCA SHORTLISTED PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR My name is Glen Farmer Illortaminni and I'm telling my story. Once I went to Paris as an interpreter for the old fella, the famous artist named Timothy Cook. It was October ... When Glen travels from his...
Save the gum trees, bees and big blue seas
Arnold, Luke John Matthew, author, illustrator.
Paper Book
Dawn
Martin, Marc, author, illustrator.
Paper Book
Beyond the shore
Saunders, Kirli
Paper Book
Ningaloo : Australia's wild wonder
Winton, Tim; Lane, Cindy
Paper Book
Join award-winning author and passionate conservationist Tim Winton and watercolourist Cindy Lane as they dive into this incredible part of the world. From enormous whale sharks to minuscule Cape Range Millipedes, and from colourful coral reefs to muddy mangroves, the biodiversity and...
Dear Broccoli
Dabrowski, Jo.
Paper Book
Dear Broccoli, Last night at dinner you were on my plate. AGAIN. Please don't come back. From, Frank. Dear Frank, I am afraid I cannot grant your request. The matter is out of my florets. Most respectful regards, Broccoli A deliciously...
Once I was a giant
Sworder, Zeno
Paper Book
2026 CBCA SHORTLISTED PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR When a picture-book maker runs out of stories, his pencil decides it's time to tell her own... 'My first memories were of darkness and reaching for sunlight. My roots connected me to everything. I was small but I<...
There's a prawn in Parliament House the kids' guide to Australia's amazing democracy
Crabb, Annabel
Paper Book
A funny and informative account of how Australia's democracy works, written for kids by one of Australia's best-known and most entertaining political writers and documentary makers, Annabel Crabb - host of top-rating ABC series Annabel Crabb's Civic Duty, The House, Kitchen Cabinet<...
This stays between us
McGovern, Margot
Paper Book
Four girls share a cabin in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack haunts isolated campers. Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past. Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend. Priya thinks she's ready to take the next step...
The Paperbark Tree Committee
McEwen, Karys
Ebook
Twelve-year-old Art and his younger brother Hilary are great friends, best friends. When they move to Melbourne from a small town in Queensland things seem to be easy for Hilary, who is still in primary school, but Art struggles to fit in, and he's become a target for school bully Jack....
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