Several debut authors have joined more experienced counterparts to win a place among the year's best Australian children's books.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) announced its 2024 Book of the Year Awards on Friday with six winning titles.
Newcomer Karen Comer's young adult novel Grace Notes nabbed a top prize along with seasoned author Tristan Bancks, whose Scar Town was 13 years in the making.
The top early childhood read was Briony Stewart's Gymnastica Fantastica with Kelly Canby's Timeless named picture book of the year.
Isolde Martyn and Robyn Ridgeway's Country Town won the Eve Pownall Award and Erica Wagner received the council's award for new illustrator for Hope is The New Thing.
More than 240 groups of school children also voted on and shortlisted books, agreeing with the adults for the younger readers category to name Scar Town their winner.
The council's national chair Jonathan Howard said books such as those nominated were important to inspire children's learning and imagination.
“Reading is a magical experience, particularly for young people, and its importance in our society should not be underestimated," Mr Howard said.
"Our 78th CBCA award winners showcase the vibrancy and resilience of Australia’s literary landscape.
"We are thrilled this year to also be announcing the results of the shadow judging simultaneously, which recognises the power of peer-to-peer recommendations”
This year's awards attracted 656 entries representing 155 publishers, including self-publishers.
Debut creatives were also recognised with entries from 121 writers, 70 illustrators, and 59 writer-illustrators.
