Magabala Books is thrilled to announce that Always Was, Always Will Be and Sky Country are 2025 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Notables.

The CBCA Notables list acts as the longlist for the Awards and is an important part of the awards calendar.

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson appeared in the Eve Pownall Award category, while Sky Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy is up for the Early Childhood category.

We are thrilled to see both of these wonderful books in the CBCA Awards and congratulate the deadly creators who made them.

Upcoming important dates for these awards:

• Shortlist: Tuesday 25 March 2025
• Winners and Honours: Friday 15 August 2025
• Shadowers’ Choice Awards: Friday 15 August 2025