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CloseMagabala Books is incredibly proud to share that four titles were shortlisted for the 2021 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA), announced on Monday 12 April.
Living on Stolen Land by Ambelin Kwaymullina was shortlisted for Small Publishers’ Adult Book of the Year, while Bindi by Kirli Saunders, illustrated by Dub Leffler; Found by Bruce Pascoe, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis; and Family by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, illustrated by Jasmine Seymour were all shortlisted for Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year.
‘Huge congrats to the dream team Magabala Books, Dub Leffler, Grace Lucas-Pennington and Jo Hunt,’ said Kirli. ‘Bindi is a book for little ones about big ideas and I’m so proud to see the ABIA Awards honouring this story of Country, Language, climate and fire alongside the work of two storytellers I adore, Aunty Fay and Bruce Pascoe. Congrats to all shortlisted creators.’
Bruce Pascoe was also excited about the nomination, especially for Found’s illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis. ‘It’s fantastic to be nominated because this book was created in order to give a new Aboriginal illustrator a chance,’ said Bruce. ‘So not only does Charmaine get to illustrate a book, she also gets to be in the running for the [Australian Book Industry Awards], and for a young illustrator that’s a terrific boost.’
For Charmaine, the shortlisting is a reflection that the world is ready for First Nations stories: ‘So thrilled to see Found is shortlisted for an ABIA,’ she said. ‘My family’s story is in each of the illustrations I made for Uncle Bruce’s emotive story – it’s an incredible feeling to know that what we’ve created and shared with the world is being met with minds that are ready to understand and hearts that are ready to empathise. Our history is ready to be Found.’
The winners of the awards will be announced on Wednesday 28 April in Sydney and via livestream.