
The Children's Book Council of Australia NSW Branch Inc.
Enriching young lives through Australian stories.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CBCA NSW Branch acknowledges the Traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. We acknowledge their culture of storytelling and honour this tradition through the work of CBCA NSW Branch.
Welcome to our community
as a member of CBCA:
​
Our purpose is to enrich young lives through Australian stories.
​
We strive to achieve a thriving, creative world embracing the transformational power of stories across generations.
​
Our mission is to connect, communicate, celebrate and advocate for the value of stories.
​
We are a registered charity, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation.
click on the image to
DONATE
Announcements
and Instagram feed
We are celebrating 80 years of CBCA with a fabulous event at the State Library of NSW. Meet the NSW legends of children's Literature at this unique event. Tickets going fast.
​
We are booking member schools for this event on August 15, 2025.
Schools participating in Shadow Judging will be given preference.
Individual or small group tickets are also now available.
Click here ​
Get ready for the 2025 Collide! with the Notables. Start by looking at the Notables list. 2025 information available, and introducing our new judge Alexa Moses.​View the Book Trailers created by the 2024 Winners and finalists here.The Collide competition requires children to create a unique and original book trailer featuring a book from the 2024 CBCA Notables list. They have a chance to win some great prizes. Teachers: Introduce students to the best of Australia Literature whilst improving their literacy skills by producing a unique and original book trailer that features a book from the 2024 CBCA Notables list.
The 2025 Shortlist of titles can be found on the National CBCA site with all the fabulous merchandise in theCBCA store. Click here.​
​
To read the back stories of the characters in the poster login to our CBCA NSW Branch member lounge.
The inaugural winners of the Margaret Hamilton Creators’ Residencies for 2025 are Jo Staker and Lucie Towers.
Emerging and published authors or illustrators of books for children or young adults were invited to apply for the Margaret Hamilton Creators’ Residency Program (MHCRP) which offers ‘the gift of time and space to create’ - a week to use our office
Meet a few of our NSW BOYA judges. Discover their thoughts about judging and reading with some “WHAT?” and “WHY?” Q & A’s.Mike Lucas highlights some of the BEST things about celebrating the past 80 years of CBCA Children's Book Week in his annual Book Week poem.WHAT’S NEW showcase of diverse and surprising books for YA and Older readers.Reading teams from The Entrance PS (Central Coast NSW) and St Thomas Aquinas PS (Springwood) contribute KC4KC = KIDS COMMENTS for KIDS’ CORNER.
We aim to keep abrest of all events across the regions so check in regularly for updates to our Events Calendar and the Region's specific pages.​ We are pretty excited by the Birthday Book Adventure - 80th Anniversary of CBCA at the State Library on Saturday August 23 in the afternoon. Booking now.​
​​​A keen group of members of CBCA NSW Branch are starting a Western Sydney Region group. There are already plans for activities.The first activity was on Wednesday 30th April. Interested in participating in the Western Sydney Region contact Melinda here
Shadow Judging is an excellent way to engage readers with quality Australian literature. This is available to everyone, however CBCA NSW Branch Members receive additional support. (Become a member - see below for how) Register to participate in 2025 now. What was selected in 2024 - check it out on CBCA National website​​
Fabulous merchandise for the 2025 Children's Book Week® theme Book an Adventure is here.
Download your free digital planner now and get organised for 2025. Special merchandise has been developed for the 80th anniversary of CBCA.​
Renewals Membership for 2025 closed New members accepted
Memberships renew in the first months of the year. New members always welcome. Look at our events calendar and book early for our upcoming events​​​
Night of the Notables event 2025
Over 80 members celebrated the release of the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Notables at our Night of the Notables Event which was held at Writing NSW, 5.30 - 7.30 on Tuesday February 25​There was a great buzz as people chatted, enjoying meeting up with other CBCA NSW Branch members. There was snacks, bubbles and a raffle. The new merchandise was on display.Highlights were the launch of new books by their creatives Ashleigh Barton, Jemima Shafei-Ongu, Jane Godwin and Melissa-Jane Fogarty.Many people said this is their favourite event of the year!!​​​
The Lady Cutler Award was presented at the Aspire and Celebrate event on November 9, 2024 ​