DANZ Children’s Book Award 2026 shortlists announced
Monday, 1 June 2026 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
The 2026 shortlists for the DANZ (Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) Children’s Book Award have been announced by the Australian School Library Association (ASLA).
Chosen from previously announced longlists, shortlisted titles in each category are:
Picture books
- Bapa’s Last Canoe (Maree McCarthy Yoelu, illus by Samantha Campbell, Magabala Books)
- The Boab Tree (Helen Milroy, Fremantle Press)
- The Colours of Home (Sally Soweol Han, Thames & Hudson)
Chapter books
- The Case of the Angry Ghost (Violet and the Velvets #2) (Rachael King, illus by Phoebe Morris, A&U Children’s)
- Hello, I’m Here! (Ava Spark) (Alex Field, illus by Joanna Bartel, New Frontier)
- Sunny & Shadow (Helen Milroy, Fremantle Press)
Middle grade
- The Haunting of Hindmarsh Hall (Kate Gordon, Riveted Press)
- Legend of the Lighthouse Moon (Helen Edwards, Riveted Press)
- Wurrtoo (Tylissa Elisara, illus by Dylan Finney, Lothian Children’s Books).
The winners will be announced in Brisbane on 25 July 2026.
More information about the award is available on the DANZ Children’s Book Award website.
Category: Awards Local news
