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First Grade

  • Corduroy by Don Freeman

  • The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

  • The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf 

  • Make Way for Duckling by Robert McCloskey

  • Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

  • Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

  • The Little House by Virginia Burton 

  • Old Hat, New Hat by Berenstain 

  • The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats 

  • Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

  • Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

  • The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack

  • The Tales of Peter Rabbit

  • Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

  • Cyclone by Jackie French

  • Fire by Jackie French

  • Flood by Jackie French

  • The Tomorrow Book by Jackie French

  • Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Eric Carle

  • Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Eric Carle

  • One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr Seuss

  • Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss

  • The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss

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Award winners

2020s

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  • 2022 Tiger Daught by Rebecca Lim

  • 2021 The End of the World is Bigger than Love by David Bell

  • 2020This Is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield

2010s

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2000s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

2009Shaun TanTales from Outer SuburbiaAllen and Unwin

2008Sonya HartnettThe Ghost's ChildViking Books

2007Margo LanaganRed SpikesAllen and Unwin

2006J. C. BurkeThe Story of Tom BrennanRandom House

2005Michael Gerard BauerThe Running ManOmnibus Books

2004Melina MarchettaSaving FrancescaViking Books

2003Markus ZusakThe MessengerMacmillan Publishers

2002Sonya HartnettForestViking Books

2001Judith ClarkeWolf on the FoldAllen and Unwin

2000Nick Earls48 Shades of BrownPenguin Books

1990s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1999Phillip GwynneDeadly, Unna?Penguin Books

1998Catherine JinksEye to EyePuffin Books

1997James MoloneyA Bridge to Wiseman's CoveUniversity of Queensland Press

1996Catherine JinksPagan's VowsOmnibus Books

1995Gillian RubinsteinFoxspellHyland House

1994Isobelle Carmody (joint)The GatheringPenguin Books

Gary Crew (joint)Angel's GateHeinemann

1993Melina MarchettaLooking for AlibrandiPuffin Books

1992Eleanor NilssonThe House GuestViking Books

1991[8]Gary CrewStrange ObjectsHeinemann

1990Robin KleinCame Back to Show You I Could FlyViking Books

1980s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1989Gillian RubinsteinBeyond the LabyrinthHyland House

1988John MarsdenSo Much to Tell YouJoy Street Books

1987Simon FrenchAll We KnowAngus and Robertson

1986Thurley FowlerThe Green WindRigby

1985James AldridgeThe True Story of Lilli StubeckHyland House

1984Patricia WrightsonA Little FearHutchinson

1983Victor KelleherMaster of the GroveKestrel Books

1982Colin ThieleThe Valley BetweenOpal Books

1981Ruth ParkPlaying Beatie BowNelson Books

1980Lee HardingDisplaced PersonHyland House

1970s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1979Ruth Manley, illustrated by Marianne YamaguchiThe Plum-Rain ScrollHodder and Stoughton

1978Patricia WrightsonThe Ice is ComingHutchinson

1977Eleanor Spence, illustrated by Malcolm GreenThe October ChildOxford University Press

1976[9]Ivan SouthallFly WestAngus and Robertson

1975[10]No award

1974[11]Patricia WrightsonThe Nargun and the StarsHutchinson

1973[12]Noreen Shelley, illustrated by Robert MicklewrightFamily at The LookoutOxford University Press

1972[13]H. F. BrinsmeadLongtime PassingAngus and Robertson

1971[14]Ivan SouthallBread and HoneyAngus and Robertson

1970[15]Annette Macarthur-OnslowUhuUre Smith

1960s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1969[16]Margaret Balderson, illustrated by Victor G. AmbrusWhen Jays Fly to BarbmoOxford University Press

1968[17]Ivan Southall, illustrated by Jennifer TuckwellTo the Wild SkyAngus and Robertson

1967[18]Mavis Thorpe Clark, illustrated by Genevieve MelroseThe Min-MinLansdowne Press

1966[19]Ivan Southall, illustrated by Clem SealeAsh RoadAngus and Robertson

1965[20]H. F. Brinsmead, illustrated by Annette Macarthur-OnslowPastures of the Blue CraneOxford University Press

1964[21]Eleanor Spence, illustrated by Geraldine SpenceThe Green LaurelOxford University Press

1963[22]Joan Phipson, illustrated by Margaret HorderThe Family ConspiracyConstable

1962[23]L. H. EversThe Racketty Street GangHodder & Stoughton

Joan WoodberryRafferty Rides a WinnerM. Parrish, London

1961[24]Nan Chauncy, illustrated by Brian WildsmithTangaraOxford University Press

1960[25]Kylie Tennant, illustrated by Clem SealeAll the Proud TribesmenMacmillan

1950s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1959[26]Nan Chauncy, illustrated by Geraldine SpenceDevil's HillOxford University Press

John Gunn, illustrated by Brian KeoghSea MenaceConstable

1958[27]Nan ChauncyTiger in the BushOxford University Press

1957[28]Enid Moodie Heddle (ed.), illustrated by Nancy ParkerThe Boomerang Book of Legendary TalesLongmans Green

1956[29]Patricia Wrightson, illustrated by Margaret HorderThe Crooked SnakeAngus and Robertson

1955[30]Norman B. Tindale & Harold Arthur Lindsay, illustrated by Madeleine BoyceThe First WalkaboutLongmans Green

1954[31]K. Langloh Parker, edited by Henrietta Drake-Brockman, illustrated by Elizabeth DurackAustralian Legendary TalesAngus and Robertson

1953[32]James H. Martin and W. D. MartinAircraft of Today and TomorrowAngus and Robertson

Joan Phipson, illustrated by Margaret HorderGood Luck to the RiderAngus and Robertson

1952[33]Eve Pownall, illustrated by Margaret SeniorThe Australia BookJohn Sands

1951[34]Ruth C. Williams, illustrated by Rhys WilliamsVerity of Sydney TownAngus and Robertson

1950[35]Alan J. Villiers, illustrated by Charles PontWhalers of the Midnight SunAngus and Robertson

1940s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1949No competition

1948[36]Frank HurleyShackleton's Argonauts : A Saga of the Antarctic IcepacksAngus and Robertson

1947[37]No award

1946[38]Leslie Rees, illustrated by Walter CunninghamThe Story of Karrawingi the EmuJohn Sands

Commended books[edit]

1970s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1973[12]Meredith HooperEveryday InventionsHutchinson

Patricia WrightsonAn Older Kind of MagicAngus and Robertson

1972[13]David MartinHughieNelson

Christobel MattingleyThe Windmill at Magpie CreekBrockhampton Press

1971[14]George FinkelJames Cook, Royal NavyAngus and Robertson

Hui-min LoThe Story of ChinaAngus and Robertson

Lilith NormanClimb a Lonely HillCollins

1970[15]Diedre HillOver the BridgeHutchinson

Marjory O'DeaSix Days Between a SecondHeinemann

Reginald OttleyThe Bates FamilyCollins

P. W. SmithOmbley-GombleyAngus and Robertson

Ivan SouthallFinn's FollyAngus and Robertson

Colin ThieleBlue FinRigby

1960s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1969[16]George FinkelThe Loyall VirginianAngus and Robertson

John GoodeWood, Wire and FabricLansdowne

Jack PollardCricket the Australian WayLansdowne

Robert ShawWandjina : Children of the Dream TimeJacaranda

Ivan SouthallLet the Balloon GoMethuen Hicks Smith

Phil and Noel WallaceChildren of the DesertNelson

Patricia WrightsonI Own the RacecourseHutchinson

1968[17]H. F. BrinsmeadA Sapphire for SeptemberOxford University Press

Nan ChauncyMathinna's PeopleOxford University Press

Mavis Thorpe ClarkBlue Above the TreesLansdowne

Ivan SouthallThe Fox HoleHicks Smith

Randolph StowMidniteF. W. Cheshire

1967[39]Max FatchenThe River KingsHicks Smith

Reginald OttleyThe Roan Colt of YamboorahDeutsch

Celia SyredCocky's CastleAngus and Robertson

1966[19]Reginald OttleyBy the Sandhills of YamboorahDeutsch

Ivan SouthallIndonesian JourneyLansdowne Press

Eleanor SpenceThe Year of the CurrawongOxford University Press

Colin ThieleFebruary DragonRigby

1965[20]Nan ChauncyHigh and Haunted IslandOxford University Press

Mary DurackThe Courteous SavageNelson

Nuri MassThe Wonderland of NatureWriters' Press

Elyne MitchellWinged SkisHutchinson

Carol OdellA Day at the ZooAngus and Robertson

Betty RolandJamie's Summer VisitorBodley Head

1964[21]Nan ChauncyThe Roaring 40Oxford University Press

Joan PhipsonThreat to the BarkersAngus and Robertson

Colin ThieleStorm BoyRigby

1962[23]Ruth ParkThe Hole in the HillUre Smith

Betty RolandThe Forbidden BridgeBodley Head

Colin ThieleSun on the StubbleRigby

1961[24]Alan AldousDoctor With WingsBrockhampton

Elyne MitchellSilver Brumby's DaughterHutchinson

Eleanor SpenceLillipilly HillOxford University Press

1960[25]Dale CollinsAnzac AdventureAngus and Robertson

Eleanor SpenceThe Summer in BetweenOxford University Press

Norman Barnett Tindale and H. A. LindsayRangatiraRigby

1950s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1959[26]Elyne MitchellThe Silver BrumbyHutchinson

Frank NortonAustralian and New Zealand Ships of TodayAngus and Robertson

Eve PownallExploring AustraliaMethuen

Patricia WrightsonThe Bunyip HoleAngus and Robertson

1940s[edit]

YearAuthorTitlePublisher

1948[36]Veronica BasserPonny the PenguinAustralasian Publishing Co.

Ada JacksonBeetles A'Hoy!Paterson's Press

James H. Martin & W. D. MartinThe Australian Book of TrainsAngus and Robertson

Musette MorellBush CobbersAustralasian Publishing Co.

Leslie ReesThe Story of Shadow, the Rock WallabyJohn Sands

Second Grade

  • Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel

  • Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

  • Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

  • Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown

  • Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

  • Pinocchio by C Collodi

  • Railway Children by E Nesbit 

  • Hill of Fire by Thomas P Lewis 

  • The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

  • The Bravest Dog Every By Natalie Standiford

  • Harry and the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

  • The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

  • Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

  • Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne

  • ​

Third Grade

Forth Grade

  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

  • Along Came a Dog by Meindert Dejong

  • Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

  • The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

  • The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements

  • The Great Brain by John D Fitzgerald

  • Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson 

  • Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary

  • The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

  • Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder

  • The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

  • Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

  • The Borrowers by Mary Norton

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