A closer look at Australian children’s nonfiction

In this issue of Think Australian Junior we take a closer look at the bestselling Australian children’s nonfiction with a new children’s/YA nonfiction chart (adding to the monthly rotation of Australian picture book, children’s fiction and YA charts). Interestingly, it’s a backlist title that makes the top of the chart—Kaz Cooke’s guide for pre-teen girls, Girl Stuff 8–12, a companion to her original Girl Stuff (which is at number at eight). The books were published in Australia in 2016 and 2013 respectively.

Kindness was one of the trends identified at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Australian illustrator Sophie Beer’s board books Love Makes a Family  and the forthcoming Kindness Makes Us Strong have recently sold to the US.

We also look at the latest Australian children’s and YA award-winners, including a number of Australian authors with established and emerging international profiles (Shaun Tan, Jay Kristoff and Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina) whose books were honoured at this year’s Aurealis Awards for science fiction, fantasy and horror writing.

Andrea Hanke
Editor
Think Australian
thinkaustralian@booksandpublishing.com.au

Category: Think Junior editorial