2024 Book of the Year Awards: Early Childhood Shortlisted

Best Suited 2+ Years
One little duck went out one day, over the hills and far away. Mother Duck said … ‘Moo Moo Moo Moo,’ and Cow said, ‘Wait! Now I’m coming too.’ Oh no, Mother Duck has forgotten how to quack!

Every day she tries a new barnyard call, and every night Little Duck returns with a new farm friend.

A fun twist on the song ‘Five Little Ducks’, this delightful story from the award-winning duo Katrina Germein and Danny Snell is destined to become a modern classic.

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Best Suited 5-8 Years
Dad’s ghoul, calm and collected and he takes scare of that trick-or-treating business in this dead funny booooo-k. Because when you’ve got it, haunt it. Come on in. The ghost is clear!

Best Suited 4-8 Years
Bev is the tallest animal on the plains and Kev is one of the smallest. They’re an unlikely pair, but could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

A heart-warming tale about learning to love yourself and the value of a true friend.

Best Suited 5-9 Years
What do you know about wasps?

There are wasps that shimmer in shades of bright blue and green. There are some without wings — and some almost too tiny to see. Some capture spiders, while others nest in fruit or mud.

With over 12 000 species found in Australia, Wonderful Wasps brings the beauty and importance of native wasps to life, and reminds us every creature matters in its own wonderful way.

Best Suited 3-7 Years
Tell ’em how us kids like to play.
We got bikes and give each other rides.
Tell ’em about the dancing and singing,
And all the stories the old people know.

In this book, written in conjunction with children from Manyallaluk School in the Roper River region in the NT, the voices of Indigenous children sing out across the land to tell us about their life in a remote community.

Best Suited 8-10 Years
A lyrical story about waiting for the rain to come to an isolated Aboriginal community. Tension in the community builds as the rain clouds thicken and grow dark. Everybody waits. When will the rain come?

Best Suited 1+ Years
Before you were born
and while you grew,
there was a party
just for you.

Created by talented duo Katrina Germein and Helène Magisson, this heartwarming picture book captures the excitement and anticipation of the arrival of a baby.

Best Suited 3+ Years
When a sunny day at the beach turns stormy, a little girl runs for cover. Her daddy and brothers are wild in the wind and lightning, and her poppy is as loud as thunder. They fill the house with stamping and crashing while Granny plays piano to their riotous thunderstorm dancing, until the storm passes and they all fall down. Then, in the stillness, the girl is ready to play. What will she be, now that the rain has stopped and there’s a glimmer of sunlight?

Best Suited 5-8 Years
Captain Dad and his crew are having a day at the beach, and of course Dad is bringing his treasure trove of jokes. Whether it’s a ship he bought on sail or an earring that costs one buccaneer, a day with Dad is shore to be hilarious! At least he seems to think so.

Best Suited 5-8 Years
A book for anyone whose dad has made them laugh – or cringe!

My dad doesn’t like babysitting. He says no one should sit on babies. My dad doesn’t eat seafood. He says there’s something fishy about it. My dad doesn’t lie in bed. He says you should always tell the truth. My dad thinks he’s funny.

Best Suited 5-8 Years
My dad says, “I’ve told you fifty million times, don’t exaggerate.” Dad is back by popular demand with more hilarious material. And yes, My dad STILL thinks he’s funny.

Best Suited 5-8 Years
When is a joke a Dad joke? When it’s fully groan.
When someone rolls their eyes at Dad, he just rolls them back.
My dad thinks he’s super funny.

In this follow up to the bestselling My Dad Thinks He’s Funny and My Dad Still Thinks He’s Funny, Dad is up to it again. His audience has grown by one, and family life continues to provide an endless supply of fresh and brilliant comedic material for Dad. At least he seems to think so.

Best Suited 5-8 Years
When Mum’s busy she says she’s run off her feet. When I dawdle, Mum tells me to shake a leg. When I say, “I’m coming,” Mum says, “So is Christmas.” My mum says the STRANGEST things.

Best Suited 3-7 Years
This is a simple, engaging and vibrant story about different characters and families living on the same street.

At the bottom of town lies a long looping street. I wonder who lives here. Who will we meet?

Best Suited 1+ Years
This little baby loves sharing books!

Books on the tram with Dad, books at picnics with Nanna and Pa, and even bath-time books with Mummy. Morning, noon and night, books make everything better.