AustLit
Subcategory of Australian Publishers Association Awards — APA Book Design Awards
Latest Winners / Recipients
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Year: 2021
winner y We Are Wolves Sydney : ABC Books , 2020 19829486 2020 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction'Sometimes it's good to be wild.
'Sometimes you have to be wild.
'When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the war, the Wolf family must flee. Liesl, Otto and their baby sister Mia find themselves lost and alone, in a blizzard, in the middle of a war zone. Liesl has promised Mama that she will keep her brother and sister safe.
'But sometimes, to survive, you have to do bad things. Dangerous things. Wild things.
'Sometimes to survive, you must become a wolf.' (Publication summary)
designed by Hazel Lam -
Year: 2020
winner y Running with the Horses Alison Lester (illustrator), Melbourne : Penguin , 2009 Z1639275 2009 single work picture book children's'Ten-year-old Nina lives with her father above the palace stables at the Royal Academy of Dancing Horses. She loves watching the famous white stallions as they parade for the crowds, but her favourite horse is an ordinary mare called Zelda - an old cab horse Nina often pats on her way home from school.
'When Nina's world changes dramatically, she and her father have to flee from the city. Their journey over the mountains with Zelda and the stallions seems impossible, with danger at every turn...' (From the publisher's website.)
designed by Tony Palmer -
Year: 2019
winner y His Name Was Walter Sydney South : HarperCollins Australia , 2018 13534394 2018 single work children's fiction children's'While on a history excursion, an ill-assorted group of four kids and their teacher are left on a country road when their minibus breaks down. At the suggestion of a friendly tow-truck driver, the five take shelter in a nearby old, deserted mansion. There they find a little old desk with a secret drawer. Inside the drawer is a book containing a handwritten story and a series of vivid, strangely lifelike paintings. The book is called His Name Was Walter.
'The story begins: 'Once upon a time, in a dark city far away, there lived a boy called Walter, who had nothing but his name to call his own.' And so begins the tale of Walter - his lonely childhood, his flight from the haunted streets of the city, his discovery of Magda the witch, his quest to find Magda's lost daughter, and his meeting with the love of his life, the mysterious, tragic girl he calls Sparrow.
'As the night closes in around them and the story of Walter and Sparrow unfolds, the kids read it avidly.. Slowly the outer and inner stories begin to mesh. Slowly the story of Walter draws the five members of the group together. And in the end every one of the five plays a vital role in the uncovering of the truth.'
Source: Publilsher's blurb.
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Year: 2018
winner y Tales from a Tall Forest Jonathan Bentley (illustrator), Richmond : Hardie Grant Egmont , 2017 11545420 2017 single work children's fiction children's'When an innocent princess wanders into the forest, she finds herself trapped between a wolf with a ravenous appetite and a sweet little house with a secret. Meanwhile, a desperate fisherman enters into a very bad bargain with a power-hungry monkey. And meanerwhile still, a tiny tricksy tailor promises a promise that not even the most magic of beanstalks can help him escape.
'In this rich and rambunctious tapestry of tales, satirist Shaun Micallef unravels the traditional fairy story and nimbly weaves your favourite characters into new and surprising adventures. Illustrated by award-winning artist Jonathan Bentley, this subversively silly trilogy will captivate parents and children alike – and indignant fairytale authors too. ' (Synopsis)
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Year: 2017
winner y Magrit Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2016 8551504 2016 single work single work children's fiction children's fantasy'Magrit lives in an abandoned cemetery with her friend and advisor, Master Puppet, whom she built from bones and bits of graveyard junk. She is as forgotten as the tiny graveyard world that surrounds her. One night as Magrit and Master Puppet sit atop of their crumbling chapel, a passing stork drops a baby into the graveyard. Defying Master Puppet's demands that the baby be disposed of, and taking no heed of his dire warnings, Magrit decides to raise the baby herself. She gives him a name: Bugrat. Magrit loves Bugrat like a brother, friend and son all rolled into one. But Master Puppet and the newly discovered skeleton girl know all too well what will happen when Bugrat grows up - that the truth about them all will be revealed. Something Magrit refuses to face.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
designed by Amy Daoud.