The search for Australia’s best children’s picture book is heating up, with Guardian Australia’s reader poll drawing over 3,000 nominations late last year. The poll, which opened on , invites readers to vote for their favorite Australian picture book from a shortlist compiled from the initial nominations. The results promise to reflect a nation’s affection for stories that resonate with both young readers and their parents.
The initiative highlights the enduring power of picture books and the emotional connections they forge. Parents have been sharing heartfelt explanations from their children about why certain books hold a special place in their hearts, revealing a depth of appreciation that goes beyond simple enjoyment. These reasons, as one parent noted, are often “as endearing, logical, and humorous as the stories themselves.”
Legacy Titles and the Challenge of New Voices
While the poll is sure to showcase beloved classics, a recent article in The Guardian points to a growing concern within the Australian publishing industry: the difficulty of launching new homegrown picture book successes. The 1980s saw a surge in iconic Australian titles like Possum Magic, Animalia, and Who Sank the Boat?, a period fueled by a strong appetite for uniquely Australian stories for children. However, the publishing landscape has shifted dramatically since then.
According to the article, achieving the sales figures of those earlier successes – five million copies, for example – is now “a thing of storybooks.” Graeme Base, author of the enduringly popular Animalia, reportedly believes that pitching a book like Animalia today would likely “fail – miserably.” The current challenges facing authors include the rise of celebrity authors, the emergence of AI-generated books, reduced shelf space in bookstores, and the decline of school librarians.
A Glimpse into Young Readers’ Hearts
Despite these industry hurdles, the passion for picture books remains strong, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response to the Guardian Australia poll. The nominations reveal a diverse range of favorites, each cherished for unique reasons.
Five-year-old Phoenix highlighted the visual appeal of Alison Lester’s Magic Beach, specifically praising the final illustration where the characters are all asleep. Seven-year-old Alice connected with Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville’s Jetty Jumping, appreciating the protagonist’s courage in facing her fears and earning a special bracelet. Six-year-old Jeremy offered a succinct endorsement of Aaron Blabey’s Pig the Pug: “Pig the Pug is silly and he does silly things.”
The emotional resonance of these books is particularly evident in the comments about Alison Lester’s Kissed by the Moon. Ten-year-old Chloe described the book as a calming and immersive experience, noting that it evokes memories of learning the story and inspires a peaceful connection with nature. Similarly, eight-year-old Zach enjoyed Leigh Hobbs’ Mr Chicken Goes to Paris, appreciating the humor and the unexpected charm of the titular character.
Other nominated titles, like Amy McQuire and Matt Chun’s Day Break, resonated with older readers on a deeper level. Ten-year-old Layla described the book as both “sad” and “sweet,” noting that it sparked important conversations about issues she hadn’t previously considered. And for nine-year-old Ophelia, Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek holds a special place as a cherished childhood memory, a book that she hopes will win the poll to make her year.
Ten-year-old Babushka praised Kylie Howarth’s Chip for its ability to create a positive bedtime experience, stating that the book’s humor “helps us to sleep.”
The Importance of Reading Aloud
The enthusiasm surrounding the poll underscores the importance of reading aloud to children. As Emilie Buchwald famously stated, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” This sentiment was echoed by one author whose book was nominated, highlighting the joy of seeing their work connect with young readers and contribute to those shared moments of connection.
As the voting period continues, the results of Guardian Australia’s poll will undoubtedly offer a valuable snapshot of the Australian children’s literature landscape, celebrating both enduring classics and the potential for new favorites to emerge. The poll is a reminder of the power of stories to shape young minds and create lasting memories.
