2024 Book of the Year Award winners announced

Speech Pathology Australia has announced the winners of the 2024 Book of the Year Award celebrating outstanding books that foster language and literacy development in Australian literature.

The awards promote quality Australian children’s literature, across various age groups, decodable book series, and works written and illustrated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors.

Now in their 21st year, the Awards have become a trusted source for parents, carers, and speech pathologists, helping them find books that encourage the love of reading and support early language and literacy skills development.  

The winning books in each category are:

Birth to 3 Years: Let’s Play – Written by Karen Tyrrell and illustrated by Maddi Gray

3–5 Years:  Almost a Fish  – Written by Julianne Negri and illustrated by Evie Barrow

5–8 Years: Harriet Hound – Written by Kate Foster and illustrated by Sophie Beer  

8–10 Years: Being Jimmy Baxter  – Written by Fiona Lloyd

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Book: Our Flag, Our Story: The Torres Strait Islander Flag – Written by Thomas Mayo and Bernard Namok Jnr, and illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey

Decodable Book Series: Fox Kid  – Written and illustrated by Adrian Beck

“Early communication skills are known to predict later social, emotional, academic achievement and support in the development of later reading and writing skills,” Speech Pathology Australia President, Kathryn McKinley said.

“Over the years we’ve curated a wonderful collection of books to share with children to help them discover the joy of stories. I’m thrilled that we will be adding new books to the fold today.”

For more information about the 2024 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards and the winning books, please visit the SPA website.