The 2026 Longlist

The 2026 ASLA DANZ Children’s Book Award longlist showcases 26 exceptional titles that push boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate diversity in children’s and young adult literature.

  1. A Lemon for Safiya by Jemima Shafei-Ongu and illustrated by Nisaluk Chantanakom (Hachette Australia)

  2. Bapa’s Last Canoe by Maree McCarthy Yoelu and illustrated by Samantha Campbell (Nee Fry) (Magabala Books)

  3. The Boab Tree written and illustrated by Helen Milroy (Fremantle Press)

  4. The Colours of Home written and illustrated by Sally Soweol Han (Thames & Hudson Australia)

  5. Earth Speak by Sean McCann and illustrated by Jade Goodwin (Allen & Unwin Children’s)

  6. Filo’s Butterflies by Litea Fuata and illustrated by Myo Tim (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing)

  7. My Cousins, My World by Sharara Attai and illustrated by Michelle Pereira (Allen & Unwin Children’s Publishing)

  8. Train of Thought by Jess Horn and illustrated by Hayley Wells (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing)

  9. The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing)

  10. Weaving Country by Christine Joy & Aunty Kim Wandin and illustrated by Ashleigh Pugh (Walker Books Australia)

Picture Books Longlist

  1. Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking (Hachette Australia)

  2. Dreamslinger by Graci Kim (Penguin Random House Australia & NZ)

  3. Esme in the Limelight by Kate Gordon (Riveted Press)

  4. The Haunting of Hindmarsh Hall by Kate Gordon (Riveted Press)

  5. Legend of the Lighthouse Moon by Helen Edwards (Riveted Press)

  6. Ngurra Home by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler and illustrated by Dub Leffler (Magabala Books)

  7. Salty by Sandi Parsons and illustrated by Jasmine Milton (Faraway Nearby Ink)

  8. The Serpent Rider by Yxavel Magno Diño (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

  9. The Silken Thread by Gabrielle Wang (Penguin Random House Australia & NZ)

  10. Wurrtoo by Tylissa Elisara and illustrated by Dylan Finney (Hachette Australia)

Middle Grade Longlist

Chapter Books Longlist

  1. Ariana Treasure: The Lucky Shoes by Jacqueline De Rose Ahern and illustrated by Karen Erasmus (Wombat Books)

  2. Ava Spark by Alex Field and illustrated by Joanna Bartel (New Frontier Publishing)

  3. Sunny and Shadow written and illustrated by Helen Milroy (Fremantle Press)

  4. Violet and the Velvets: The Case of the Angry Ghost by Rachael King and illustrated by Phoebe Morris (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa)

  5. Violet and the Velvets: The Case of the Missing Stuff by Rachael King and illustrated by Phoebe Morris (Allen & Unwin Aotearoa)

  6. Yarn Quest: The Power of the Heart by Brooke Scobie and illustrated by Jade Goodwin (Penguin Random House Australia & NZ)

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