Australian CYA at Frankfurt

Even though there are a relatively small number of CYA highlights – compared to other categories – Frankfurt attendees will still find the Australian stand brightened with works for younger readers (and others who still enjoy rewarding their inner child). There’s a trend towards illustrated books among CYA highlights from participating local publishers heading off to Frankfurt, but visitors to the stand will also find longer-form text works on a variety of subjects from grief to friendship.

Picture books and graphic novels

Confetti and the Rainbow Garden Shane Jenek, illustrated by Dylan Finney Pantera November 2025

Starting in a bright place, for children aged 3+, Confetti and the Rainbow Garden was penned by Shane Jenek (aka Courtney Act) and features vivid illustrations from Dylan Finney, a Marra, Ngalakgan and Yanyuwa descendant, telling the story of Confetti, who is on a mission to find out who they’ll grow up to be. Says Pantera publisher Lex Hirst, ‘This instant classic celebrates family and Australian native flora – and how life is more beautiful when we’re all free to be ourselves.’

The Midnight Chew Sally Morgan, illustrated by Karen Blair Fremantle October 2025

For readers aged 3–5, The Midnight Chew (October) is a rhyming canine drama from prominent Australia author Sally Morgan – who belongs to the Palku and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara – and illustrator Karen Blair. ‘When Boofa Boy Jones steals Skippy Gillespie’s very big bone, a marvellous doggy race ensues. Readers get a “dog’s-eye view” of this wild nighttime chase,’ says Fremantle CEO Alex Allan.

Billie B Brown graphic novel Sally Rippin, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka Figment July 2026

Hardie Grant graphic novel imprint Figment refreshes the Billie B Brown series with a graphic-novel adaptation from current Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin and illustrator Aki Fukuoka. ‘It’s one of those projects that has fallen into place so beautifully, a true joy,’ says Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing managing director Kate Brown. ‘I have a 9-year-old and watching her gobble up real stories, written for just for her, is such a joy.’

	The Island in Time Charmaine Cole and Trevor Todd, illustrated by Charmaine Cole Interactive Publications November 2025
Interactive Publications brings The Island in Time, which follows Noah as he drifts ‘through the mists of time to ancient Whadjuk Country’.
	DIScombobulation Trevor Todd and David P Reiter, illustrated by Richard Hoit September 2024
DIScombobulation (Trevor Todd & David P Reiter, illus Richard Hoit, September 2024) is the second title in a series from Interactive Publications, featuring ‘princess parrot Sir Humphrey and his easily intimidated canary mate, Woody’.

Junior and middle-grade fiction

	A Gift from the Birds Caroline Stills Text August 2025
From Caroline Stills, who won the final Text Prize in June 2024, A Gift from the Birds (Text, August, readers aged 8+) weaves a heartfelt middle-grade story about a 10-year-old girl navigating the silent weight of grief after the death of her mother, says the publisher.

	The Dragon Snare Rhiannon Williams Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing April 2026
Meanwhile, in a completely different genre, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing offers the forthcoming title The Dragon Snare from Narroway trilogy author and Ampersand Prize winner Rhiannon Williams (April 2026). A fantasy tale for readers aged 9–14, this story is told with ‘beautiful writing [and] fast-paced adventure’, says the publisher.

Joey and the Junjardy Allison Rocca UQP July 2026

With Joey and the Junjardy (July 2026), UQP seeks to meet the demand for ‘middle-grade novels that celebrate healthy, nuanced representations of boyhood – stories where boys can be adventurous, funny, and flawed, while also providing a positive vision of masculinity and cultural pride’. Rights and contracts manager Erin Sandiford describes the title as ‘a fun and action-packed story about 11-year-old larrikin Joey who starts at a new school on Country and gains the attention of a Junjardy – a small hairy mischief-maker‘. ‘When the practical jokes spiral out of control, Joey must figure out what the Junjardy is trying to tell him about being a strong Wakka Wakka boy.’

Kid Peter Carnavas UQP June 2026

For a slightly younger age group, junior fiction tale Kid (June 2026) also comes to the festival via UQP, from well-known local author Peter Carnavas. ‘His stories are beloved for their warmth, emotional depth, and gentle wisdom,’ says Sandiford. ‘Peter’s new junior novel continues this tradition with a tender and adventurous tale about a young goat who discovers the meaning of family.’ Sandiford predicts translation sales at the fair, on the heels of a confirmed UK sale and an offer in the US.

Young adult

	Forever and Ever Allanah Hunt Text March 2026
Although only one young adult title features in publisher highlights this year, Text makes sure it’s worth the while for any attendee looking for romance and grit. Forever and Ever by Barkindji and Malyangapa writer Allanah Hunt (March 2026) is described as a ‘Romeo and Juliet forbidden-love story set in an Australian country town, against a backdrop of entrenched racism and a family secret’.

Children’s nonfiction

	Welcome to Friendship Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes Hardie Grant August 2026
Co-authoring pair Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes are set to return with the forthcoming Welcome to Friendship, the latest instalment in their nonfiction series. Says Hardie Grant, ‘It’s the exact book you needed growing up, it’s a book for all grown-ups, and it’s a book you will press into the hands of every child you meet.’

Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder Tim Winton, illustrated by Cindy Lane Fremantle October 2025

Meanwhile, nonfiction picture book Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder (Fremantle, October) sees well-known Australian author Tim Winton team with illustrator Cindy Lane to share ‘an important message of hope’. Allan notes that Ningaloo is ‘relatively unknown outside Australia, yet it is a top destination for many of the world’s large aquatic creatures’. ‘Plenty of megafauna – from whales to whale sharks – abound, but the book also shares some of the region’s most minuscule creatures, which all form a part of the biodiversity and interconnectedness of Ningaloo’s reef, mangroves and ranges.’

Wiradjuri Dreaming Australian Self Publishing Group Brayden Quigg, as told to the author by Uncle Geoff Anderson

And, from the Australian Self Publishing Group comes Brayden Quigg’s forthcoming Wiradjuri Dreaming, as told to the writer by Uncle Geoff Anderson. This title ‘[introduces] young readers to the magic of the night sky and the deep wisdom it holds’, making it ‘perfect for families, schools and libraries eager to celebrate First Nation voices and traditions’, says the publisher, which recommends it for readers aged 4+.

Pictured (left–right): Melissa Kang, Yumi Stynes.

Category: Think Australian feature