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AustLit

Five to 8 Years (2014-)
or 5 to 8 Years ; or Five to Eight Years
Subcategory of Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards
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Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2023

winner y separately published work icon Jetty Jumping Andrea Rowe , Hannah Sommerville (illustrator), Richmond : Little Hare Books , 2021 20073321 2021 single work picture book children's 'While Milla’s friends take big, brave jumps off the jetty, Milla stays on the blistering wood, scared of what lurks below. But when Milla accidentally falls off the edge, she discovers the beauty of the deep, dark sea – and her summer changes forever. Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville perfectly capture the challenges of childhood – and the joy of letting go – in this homage to summer.' (Publication summary)

Year: 2022

winner y separately published work icon The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp Paul Russell , Nicky Johnston (illustrator), Wollombi : Exisle Publishing , 2021 23481599 2021 single work picture book children's

'Most children would say that the ocean is blue, but when Bowen looks at it he sees white where the waves crash, deep black on the ocean floor, and green when there's a storm. He wonders whether fireflies are hot, and notices how the brushstrokes of a painting tell a story too. Bowen sees the world differently to other children and struggles to fit in. How will he find his place in the world?

'The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp follows the life of Bowen through school and beyond. At every stage, he finds that he doesn't fit in with his peers, but this eventually becomes his greatest strength. Through thinking differently, he is able to solve problems that no one else could. After all, just because something can't be mended the same as it was, why can't it be mended differently?

'A very personal story, Bowen's tale is sensitively written and full of colourful, lively illustrations. It aims to offer hope to children who haven't yet found their place in life by showing them that being normal might just be overrated, and that to find success in life we should be valuing our differences.

'Children, carers, teachers and psychologists alike will find inspiration in this tale of embracing diversity and engaging our full potential. It is a vital reminder that the strength and uniqueness of every child should be encouraged to help them find their place in the world and flourish!' (Publication summary)

Year: 2021

winner y separately published work icon The Thing That Goes Ping! Mark Carthew , Shane McGowan (illustrator), Abbotsford : Ford Street , 2021 20872674 2021 single work picture book children's

'In the faraway town of Figgy-tra-ling, you may hear the faint ring of a thing that goes ping!

'Join in the quest for the thing that goes ping – and meet some fun animals along the way!' (Publication summary)

Year: 2020

winner y separately published work icon Goat on a Boat Nick Dent , Suzanne Houghton (illustrator), Malvern : Omnibus Books , 2019 15893824 2019 single work picture book children's

'When a goat arrives on a rocky island, the resident sheep are afraid he’ll eat all their grass. But this goat has hidden talents... This humorous story for children has an important message to convey.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2019

winner y separately published work icon The Oo in Uluru Judith Barker , Janie Frith (illustrator), Warriewood : Woodslane Press , 2018 14831366 2018 single work picture book children's

''This is the story of the 'oo'. It's an amusing sound for all of you.'

'The Oo in Uluru is a fun Australian-themed phoneme story that teaches young readers about the vowel sound 'oo' and where they can find it in different words.' (Publication summary) 

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