Magabala Books is delighted to reveal FOUR Magabala titles have been shortlisted in the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.

Congratulations to Magabala authors and illustrators Bruce Pascoe, Leanne Mulgo Watson, Jasmine Seymour and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr!

“We are enormously proud to see four Magabala titles shortlisted this year, including Young Dark Emu for the Eve Pownall Award and three debut illustrators for the New Illustrator Award. Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr, from Gapuwiyak in Arnhem Land, was the inaugural recipient of the Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award, a Magabala initiative which is all about encouraging and supporting new illustrators. That has been a big focus of Magabala’s work, and I can’t think of a better outcome than these shortlistings! This is also a wonderful day for Darug people, with both Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Watson shortlisted for their beautiful and culturally important books.” – Edie Wright, Chairperson Magabala Books

Regarded as Australia’s most prestigious children’s literature award, the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year is presented across six categories and with titles selected from a record 517 entries.

Young Dark Emu is shortlisted for the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. Of the shortlisting Bruce Pascoe said:

“I am really pleased that a book about Aboriginal achievement has been recognised. I look forward to children reading it and then asking questions of the premise and going to the bibliography. You don’t really know a subject until you have investigated it. I worked with exceptional designers, artists, editors and educators on this book and I am in awe of their work. I think the book looks fabulous. Wish I’d had it at school on King Island.”

Baby Business illustrator Jasmine Seymour, Cooee Mittigar illustrator Leanne Mulgo Watson and Little Bird’s Day illustrator Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr are all shortlisted for the CBCA Award for new illustrator. They had this to say:

“I am wholeheartedly grateful to everyone who has loved Baby Business. This book belongs to its audience now, to all the kids and adults who read it and marvel at the continuation of the oldest culture on earth. Baby Business is also about Country, the beautiful Darug bush behind my Nanna’s place. That is so special for me to share that with everyone. Thank you.” – Jasmine Seymour

“I would like to say that I have loved publishing our book, being a Darug language book is really important to me and I also know how proud my Mum is as she had the language taken from her. I have been really happy and surprised at the response, support and excitement surrounding our book. I am just really excited that our book could be shortlisted to receive an award, this is a huge achievement for Darug People.” – Leanne Watson

“I like it that kids can learn reading and see my artwork. Seeing the finished book, and people’s interest in it, make me and my family feel Maynmak (good)” – Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr

In announcing the New Illustrator Award shortlist, CBCA member and illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett said the shortlisted illustrators were: “from really diverse range of backgrounds and artistic practices, and what struck me about all of their work was that not only was it beautiful but it told a story about themselves as well.”

Announced today via video stream, the complete CBCA shortlist can be found here.

Magabala congratulates all shortlisted authors and illustrators.

The winners of the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year Awards will be announced on August 21, 2020.