The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for quality Australian literature for young people. Established in 1945, the CBCA aims to engage the community with literature for children and young Australians, fostering a love of reading and celebrating Australian authors and illustrators.

History and Purpose

Founded at a time when Australian children's books were scarce and local authors and illustrators were largely unrecognized, the CBCA established the Book of the Year Awards in 1946 to honor outstanding Australian children's literature with high literary and artistic merit. These awards have grown to become the most influential and highly respected children's book awards in Australia. The organization’s overarching purpose is to enrich young lives through Australian stories and to see a thriving creative world embracing the transformational power of stories.

Activities and Programs

The CBCA conducts a variety of activities throughout the year to promote children's literature:

• Children’s Book Week: An annual celebration that brings children and books together across Australia, emphasizing the importance of reading and storytelling.
• Book of the Year Awards: The CBCA presents annual awards recognizing Australian books of literary merit, involving judging panels from state branches to select winners.
• Advocacy and Partnerships: The CBCA works closely with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, and other organizations to promote literacy and children's literature.
• State Branches: The CBCA is composed of branches in every Australian state and territory, each actively promoting literature and literacy within their regions.

Organizational Structure

CBCA operates as a volunteer-run organization with a national board established in 2012. The board represents branches nationwide and is responsible for major initiatives such as the administration of the Book of the Year Awards, Children's Book Week, merchandising, and publications like the online journal Reading Time. Some awards beyond the main Book of the Year include the Dame Annabelle Rankin Award, Nan Chauncy Award, and others recognizing distinguished service or new talent in children's literature.

Awards Foundation

In 1995, the CBCA established an Awards Foundation to secure the financial future and independence of its Book of the Year Awards. The foundation's goal was to build an endowment fund, achieved in 2006, which supports the annual prizes through investment interest, ensuring sustained recognition and encouragement of Australian children's literature creators.

Impact

The Children's Book Council of Australia plays a significant role in enriching the literary landscape for young readers in Australia. Through its awards, advocacy, and community engagement, it supports the creation, promotion, and appreciation of Australian stories, contributing to literacy and cultural identity among children both nationally and internationally.

This summary reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering a vibrant culture of children’s literature within Australia and its recognition as a pivotal body in the Australian literary and educational community[1][2][3][4].

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/291ee793-3aaf-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/profile [2] https://cbca.org.au/about/ [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Book_Council_of_Australia [4] https://cbca.org.au/about-the-awards/ [5] https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/files/8818960/31180_Macleod_pub%20paper.pdf