It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of another year. Shops are filled with Christmas decorations and thoughts are turning to end of year celebrations and holidays.
In my family we celebrate Jolabokaflod, or Christmas Book Flood, which is the Icelandic tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve, spending time with family, and reading into the night. It is an opportunity to visit our supporting bookshops to choose something special to wrap and put under the tree. I encourage you to show your support and receive your membership discount on your purchases.
I had the pleasure of being a Book Doctor at Scribblers Festival again this year, not only recommending books to children in their favourite genre, but introducing them to books by Australian authors, particularly those on the CBCA Notables list.
CBCA WA Branch had a busy year of events including displays, book discussions and judges talks to name just a few. We thanked and honoured volunteers for their service, attended book launches and awards nights and celebrated with Shirley Marr, our 2022 BOTY winner and James Foley our Honour Book and Shadow Judging winner.
Without the dedication of a committed team, none of this would happen. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the hard-working committee members for all they have done throughout the year to present our events and promote and support children’s literature and the creatives who produce it.
I would also like to say a special thank you to Beck Borona, our newsletter editor, who leaves us after four years. This will be her final newsletter. Beck and the newsletter subcommittee has pulled all the information together, made it presentable and ensured we met our deadlines. Thank you. Enjoy the time with your new family.
As a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation, CBCA WA Branch relies on your support. Membership renewal notices will be forwarded to you in January 2023. By renewing your WA Branch membership promptly, you help us to continue to engage the community with Australian children’s and young adult literature. Membership entitles you to discounts on our event tickets and at member bookshops as well as selected free items from the e-Store. Please advise Sharon Coppin at cyrilina@iinet.net.au if you change your contact details.
If you thought that you would like to be a judge of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, applications are still open for 15 new judges. Applications and criteria can be found on the CBCA website at https://cbca.org.au/judging.
Thank you for the support you have shown the WA Branch this year. On behalf of everyone on the committee I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year. Enjoy the festive season and time with your families and friends and of course, a good book or two.
I leave you with this thought - Reading should not be presented to children as a chore, a duty. It should be offered as a gift. – Kate DiCamillo
The theme for 2023 CBCA Book Week has been announced!
Please see the beautiful video below with Matt Ottley introducing the theme...
2023 CBCA Book Week Theme Announcement
Entries for the 2023 CBCA Book of the Year Awards are now open!
Head to the Entry Information page for more details, or head straight to the online Entry Form to enter your title/s.
Entries close Wednesday, 30 November 2022.
2023 Yearly Digital Planner
You loved it this year, so our digital yearly planner is coming back for 2023! Featuring the gorgeous artwork of our 2023 CBCA Book Week artist, Matt Ottley, this planner has everything you'll need to keep you on top of your 2023 activities! Watch this space for launch details very soon!
Children's Book Council of Australia
Book of the Year Judging 2023-2025
Applications for the 2023 – 2025 Book of the Year Judges are now open.
We encourage you to submit an application to be considered for the next judging term 2023-25. We are looking for 15 new judges, 3 for each category with the exception of the Picture Book and New Illustrator panel.
Every two years, The Children’s Book Council of Australia appoint individuals with outstanding experience and knowledge within the field of children’s literature. Judging panels are formed through application with merit-based processes applied. The WA Branch will create a shortlist from applications received that will be forwarded to the Awards Convenor and Awards Committee for final selection. The appointment of judges is endorsed at the next National Board meeting following the selection process.
For more information reach out to the Awards Committee atawards@cbca.org.au.
Key information:-
position title: CBCA Book of the Year Awards Judge
period of engagement: 1 March 2023 – 29 August 2025
number of positions: 15
Forms are available through the website and applicants should submit the following:-
application cover
Working with Children Check photocopy
Curriculum Vitae – including the names and contact details of two referees
signed written application addressing the selection criteria
conflict of interest declaration
Applications close 30 November 2022. Please email your applications to wa@cbca.org.au All appointments will be announced by 31 January 2023.
Please note, unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years.
We look forward to receiving your applications.
Kris Williams
A Night With Our Stars (ANWOS)
It’s time to celebrate! 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of ANWOS and we’ve come a long way since that first event, which was held at Westbooks (then located at 122 Burswood Road, Burswood) on Thursday 4 March 2004. Were you one of the 80 people in our inaugural audience?
Westbooks has been our supporter since the start and will once again be our official ANWOS bookseller on Friday 10 March 2023. Save the date and watch our newsletter and Facebook feed for further details. Bookings will open on 1 February 2023. Make sure to renew your CBCA WA membership promptly for 2023 so that you are eligible for the member discount rate. Membership runs parallel with the calendar year (1 Jan – 31 Dec) and renewal invoices will be sent out in January. Please check your spam and junk folders if you do not see it.
As always, we are blessed with more eligible presenters than we can comfortably fit into one evening so the selection process is quite a challenge as we aim for a mix of established and emerging creators. The final program is still to be announced but the following presenters are confirmed - Ash Harrier, Kylie Howarth, Meg McKinlay, Karen Blair, Rachael Robertson, Dianne Wolfer, Sharon Giltrow, James Foley and Julia Lawrinson. It is shaping up to be a fabulous event.
Jan Nicholls
ANWOS Art Gallery 2023
Original pieces up for auction
Not only are we blessed with some amazingly talented illustrators in WA but they are also incredibly generous in their support of the CBCA WA Branch. Many answered the call to provide a postcard-sized artwork which will be offered for silent auction in the lead-up to ANWOS 2023 on Friday 10 March with the winning bidders announced on the night.
These unique pieces (most of which are suitable for a standard 6 x 8 frame) reflect a range of styles and media, including from painting, charcoal, collage, watercolours, sketches, cartoons and whimsy. Established and emerging artists are represented. There is something for everyone and the most avid art collector be able to find wall space for one of these small treasures which are destined to become valuable collectors’ items. The reserve price on each piece is set at $50 and bids will be accepted in $10 increments. Details of all pieces available and how to place a bid will be advertised early in 2023. You do not need to be a CBCA member or attend ANWOS. Unless collected on the night, delivery will be at your expense if you have a winning bid.
Our sincere thanks to those who have contributed so far - Aśka, Gavin Aung Than, Sean Avery, Jasmine Berry, Wendy Binks, Kelly Canby, Moira Court, Gabriel Evans, Kylie Howarth, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Cindy Lane, Frané Lessac, Mel Pearce, Rachael Robertson, Brian Simmonds, Briony Stewart, Katie Stewart, Shaun Tan and Tyrown Waigana.
Click on the Art Gallery link above to view a selection.
Jan Nicholls
Position Available
CBCA WA Newsletter Editor
Due to my commitments as a new mum, I am stepping down as CBCA WA newsletter editor.
The position is now vacant for anyone who would like to take on this fun role!
Newsletter editor is a great way to immerse yourself in the children's literature community. You will be advertising and reporting on our wonderful CBCA WA events plus book launches and other children's literature related news. You will be in contact with other CBCA WA committee members who run sub-committees and will provide copy and images and you will liaise closely with the CBCA WA Branch President. The role can fit in to your own schedule with flexible hours.
If you're interested in becoming the next CBCA WA newsletter editor and would like more information, please contact wa@cbca.org.au.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our newsletters. The newsletter wouldn't be the same without the eagle-eyes of my proofreaders Jan Nicholls, Denise Robins and Chloe Mauger. I am forever grateful for your support and advice over the years. I have loved being a part of a community that champions our amazing, talented WA authors and illustrators.
Beck Borona
CBCA Book of the Year Awards
WA Winners Exhibition
The exhibition showcasing the WA winners of the Book of the Year Award finished at the end of October. It was such a pleasure to work with Joanna Andrew and Merilyn Ciancotti from the City of Perth Library and we hope there will be opportunities in the future to display more of the collection of Book of the Year winners held by CBCA WA.
Many thanks to the winning authors and illustrators and the relatives of those who have passed away who provided valuable information and treasured objects to enhance the exhibition. Special thanks to Elaine Forrestal who assisted with setting up and dismantling during the bump in and bump out days.
Gail Spiers and Jan Nicholls
Book Discussion Group
Join us to discuss titles by Australian authors. Please check the new times and locations under each session.
23 November
6:30pm
The Hampden Hotel Nedlands
Where You Left Us
by Rhiannon Wilde University of Queensland Press
By the author of Henry Hamlet’s Heart, a 2022 CBCA Notable for Older Readers.
25 January 2023
11:30am
UWA University Club Café Crawley
Unnecessary Drama
by Nina Kenwood Text Publishing
By the author of It Sounded Better in My Head, a 2020 CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers.
22 February 2023
6:30pm
The Hampden Hotel Nedlands
A Walk in the Dark
by Jane Godwin Hachette
By the author of When Rain Turns to Snow, 2021 CBCA Shortlisted Book for Older Readers.
Australian Children's Laureate
To read recent news from the Australian Children's Laureate, please click here.
Several CBCA WA Branch committee members got loud in support of deaf kids and those with hearing difficulties during September and October. We were able to pass on a donation of $544.75 to the Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre from our Loud Shirt Day fundraiser.
Jan Nicholls
Celebrate Reading Conference
Marc McBride, Gabriel Evans, Sean E Avery and James Foley discussed the science of illustration in their panel Bad Boys of Illustration.
The annual Celebrate Reading Conference held on 28-29 October by The Literature Centre was two days of creative and inspiring talks.
Morris Gleitzman, Jackie French and Marc McBride joined a host of WA authors and illustrators. The delegates were treated to conversations including teaching literature, dyslexia, HER story, making moments into books and a discussion into the science of illustration. The presenters for the 2024 conference were announced with book covers on cupcakes before we heard some amazing stories about living and writing on the road.
Kris Williams
Congratulations
Great White Shark by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Cindy Lane, has been named Best Children’s Book in the 2022 Whitley Awards.
Stellarphant by James Foley has made the international White Ravens list.
Steve Heron'smiddle-grade novel One Thousand Snapshots has won the 2022 Australian Association of Family Therapy Younger Reader/Picture Book Award.
VALE
Sadly, Errol Broome passed away on 14 September 2022 at 85 years old. Please read an announcement by Fremantle Press.
Recent Book Launches from WA Authors and Illustrators
How to be a Wonder Hunter
by Josh Langley
Big Sky
Josh Langley's new book How to be a Wonder Hunter was launched at Paper Bird on 10 September. Friends and family joined the celebration and learned that all you need to see the wonder of the world around you are the five senses you already have. Take some time to take a deep breath and appreciate the natural world to reset your inner self. How to be a Wonder Hunter encourages creativity, being curious and nurturing children's natural instincts to discover new things.
Kris Williams
Frank's Red Hat
by Sean E Avery
Walker Books
Red hats, penguins and snowball fights all helped to launch Sean E Avery's new book Frank's Red Hat on 9 October at The Literature Centre. James Foley, who sent the book on its way, predicted a Frank Franchise would not be too far away. Be like Frank and never stop having ideas even if some of them don't work out. You never know which one will. Kris Williams
Little Book Bites
If you have a picture of a child, family member, pet or any other interesting reader you'd like to feature in our electronic newsletter, we'd love to see it! Please email it to wa@cbca.org.au.
New Releases from WA Authors, Illustrators and Publishers
Holden Sheppard The Brink
Text Publishing
August 2022
Jayden Boundry
Illustrated by Tyrown Waigana Noongar Boodja Waangkan
Fremantle Press
September 2022
Craig Silvey
Illustrated by Sara Acton Runt
Allen & Unwin
October 2022
Sean E Avery Frank's Red Hat
Walker Books
October 2022
Helen Milroy Owl and Star
Fremantle Press
October 2022
Teena Raffa-Mulligan
Illustrated by Veronica Rooke Can You Guess Who?
Serenity Press
October 2022
Briony Stewart Accidentally Kelly Street
Affirm Press
October 2022
Frané Lessac A is for Australian Reefs
Walker Books
October 2022
Renae Haywood
Illustrated by Rebecca Mills Say Hooray
Fremantle Press
2023
Dates for Your Diary
Please check our social media - Facebook and Instagram - for the most current information about book launches and events.
For more information and for other Holden Sheppard The Brink events, please click here.
Behind the Walls with Holden Sheppard The Literature Centre Thursday 24 November, Gates open 5.30PM the evening finishes at 7.00PM.
Tickets are $30 and more information can be found here.
CBCA WA Branch Committee Members President - Kris Williams, Vice President - Jen McKay,
Liz Allen, Nola Allen, Jenny Botje, Sharon Coppin,
Sharon Giltrow, Mary Gimondo, Felicia Harris, Lorraine Horsley,
Sarah Klass, Sheena Matthews, Chloe Mauger, Trish Montgomery,
Louise Moore, Julie Muir, Jan Nicholls, Denise Robins, Gail Spiers,
Jane Stanton, Sue Stopher, Tracey Willis, Sally Woffenden.
National Board Director: Position Appointed Newsletter Editor:Position Available Website Manager: Sarah Klass WA Book of the Year Judge: Claire Kierath
