CBCA Reveals Shortlist: Two outstanding Fremantle Press books captivated judges
A Leaf Called Greaf by Kelly Canby and A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson are shortlisted for a CBCA Book of the Year Award.
Eagerly awaited by creators and children’s literature ambassadors alike, the annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards recognises some of Australia’s most creative people, boosting their capacity to devote time to their craft and helping promote the scope and vitality of books for Australian children.
Kelly Canby, who won the picture book category in 2024, said she was honoured to be shortlisted again. Kelly said, ‘Creating stories for young readers is an absolute joy, and I’m grateful to the CBCA for their steadfast championing of Australian children’s literature and for their ongoing support for creators who bring stories to life. It’s such a privilege to be part of a community that understands and values the power of storytelling to inspire and delight growing minds.’
Karleah Olson’s debut novel A Wreck of Seabirds was published after making it to the shortlist of the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award for Western Australian writers aged 18 to 35. She said the thought of her work playing a role in shaping young people the same way books shaped her was an honour and a privilege.
Karleah said, ‘I come from a family of readers. From my parents reading to me as a kid, and then me reading to my younger brother. From our mum making us the best costumes for Book Week each year, to my sister and I going through every paperback available to us in the library. And from forming friendships over a shared love of fictional worlds to staying up too late on a school night for “one more chapter”. The practice of reading and storytelling absolutely defined my experience of childhood and adolescence. To have my own debut novel be a CBCA Notable and to be on this list among such a fantastic host of Australian creative talent is incredible to me.’
A Leaf Called Greaf by Kelly Canby follows Bear who is wandering alone until he discovers a beautiful green leaf that he names Greaf. Like a talisman, the leaf accompanies him through all the seasons until Winter arrives and Greaf transforms into a special memory instead.
In A Wreck of Seabirds Briony first meets Ren standing in the freezing sea. Ren has returned to his small coastal town to be with his dying father, while Briony can’t leave – held there by the thought that her missing sister might someday reappear. This atmospheric novel explores a town harbouring many secrets and shows how hope can emerge even when life’s mysteries remain unresolved.
The annual Book of the Year Awards aim to promote quality literature for young Australians, support and encourage Australian writers and illustrators of children’s books, and celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature.
A Wreck of Seabirds and A Leaf Called Greaf are available in all good bookstores and online.
