Reading has always been my passion. My aspirational goal as a child was to grow up and work with books. Imagine being surrounded by books every.single.day! And that’s exactly what I did! I completed a degree in English Literature, and then pivoted to an English teacher. Today, as an educator, I have the absolute privilege of inspiring others to love reading too. Book Week has become one of the biggest celebrations at our school every year.
The CBCA Australian Book Week will be celebrated from 16 – 23 August 2025, with the theme revealed as Book an Adventure. It is a week-long celebration where schools, libraries, bookshops and families celebrate children’s literature. It is one of my favourite weeks of the year.
To celebrate the Week, I have rounded up the shortlisted books across three categories: Older Readers, Younger Readers and Early Childhood. The shortlist has been curated by the highly respected Children’s Book Council of Australia, ensuring that each book on the list is of the highest quality.
2025 Children’s Book of the Year Awards – Shortlist
Table of Contents
2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Older Readers Shortlist
A Wreck of Seabirds | Karleah Olson
Birdy | Sharon Kernot
Comes the Night | Isobelle Carmody
I’m Not Really Here | Gary Lonesborough
Into the Mouth of the Wolf | Erin Gough
The Skin I’m In | Steph Tisdell
2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Younger Readers
Aggie Flea Steals the Show | Tania Ingram, illustrated by A. Yi
Fluff: Mess Up! | Matt Stanton
Laughter is the Best Ending | Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks
Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail | Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger | Jackie French
To and Fro | Anton Clifford-Motopi
2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Early Childhood Shortlist
Don’t Worry, Felix | Yohann Devezy & Katharine Alice, illustrated by Zoe Bennett
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (And Some Things You Didn’t) | Briony Stewart
How to Move a Zoo | Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan
One Little Dung Beetle | Rhiân Williams, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson
Spiro | Anna McGregor
The Wobbly Bike | Darren McCallum, illustrated by Craig Smith
I will head back during Book Week to reveal the Winners from each category.
Books Lists to Review
Books for Busy Mums (July 2025)