Jacinta di Mase Management has had a stellar showing at The Children’s Book Council of Australia 2024 Book of the Year Awards! Karen Comer’s Grace Notes has won in the Older Readers category, and Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart has won in the Early Childhood category! While Jess Racklyeft’s Australia: Country of Colour has both been recognised as an Honour Book in the non-fiction Eve Pownall Awards, and selected by young voters in the Shadow Judging as their winner for the Eve Pownall Award!
Here’s what the judges had to say about each of these stellar titles, and we congratulate all those long and shortlisted, and especially Karen, Briony and Jess who have made us very proud indeed!
• Grace Notes (Hachette Australia) by Karen Comer, winner in the Older Readers category. Judge’s comments — ‘This beautifully written debut captures all the light and shade of COVID-19 lockdowns, exploring the wider impact of the pandemic and how it affected different age groups. As one would expect from a verse novel, the prose is spectacularly lyrical in a manner so deeply authentic to the story it is impossible to put down. Well-constructed family dynamics are cleverly revealed through the sparse writing, but it is the authentic coming-of-age portrayal of protagonists Grace and Crux that is the selling point of the story. They are adorable and delightful and almost too good to be real, yet still inherently teen in their worldviews. This book is a gorgeous exploration of art and creativity from the perspective of central characters who are searching to discover meaning and purpose through both, opening thoughtful, original discussion around street art and the meaning of music that is highly suitable for the readership.’
• Gymnastica Fantastica! (Hachette Australia) by Briony Stewart, winner, Early Childhood. Judge’s comments — ‘An enticing invitation opens this vibrant picture book, as a vivacious young child confidently demonstrates their gymnastic prowess, bouncing, cartwheeling and flipping their way across the pages. Their dog, a silent but invested observer throughout, provides a lovely contrast. This book conveys so much energy and life which children will connect with immediately. The young child’s voice permeates the tight, joyful rhyming text which includes a rich assortment of verbs, nouns and adjectives. Pencil, ink, crayon, gouache, and digital illustrations are filled with zoom in action and movement matching the equally energetic text. The endpapers are perfect bookends, as twirling ribbons, held in the child’s left at the start and right hand at the end, appear to capture the story.’
• Australia: Country of Colour (Affirm Press) by Jess Racklyeft, Shadow Judging Winner – Eve Pownall Award and Honour Book – Eve Pownall Award. Judge’s comments — ‘Presented through the lens of the colour wheel, this magnificent book takes your breath away with its visually stunning exploration of Australian landscapes, flora and fauna. The colours of Australia are magnifically celebrated as the vivid red dirt, endless blue skies, golden sandy beaches and magical green bush land are beautifully recreated. With the turning of each page the reader is presented with new delights as landscapes, animals and plants are organised in colour categories of varying hues. The text draws on scientific knowledge and research which works in harmony with the illustrations to build visual literacy and animal and plant recognition. Strong links between colour and emotion, and of the feelings associated with particular colours are explained as is the importance of caring for Country.’
