Day: September 3, 2025

Readings Prize Shortlists

| Tasha

The shortlists for the Readings prizes for Children and Young Adults have been announced. The Australian awards are given for the best new contribution from an emerging author. Winners will be announced on November 14. Here are the two shortlists:

CHILDREN’S PRIZE SHORTLIST

Big Trouble with Angry Chairs by Lachlann Carter, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking (available in US)

The Girl Who Cried Bird by Katherine Collette

Hi from Outer Space by Fiona Katauskas (available in US)

How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil (available in US)

Queen of Dogs by Joe Weatherstone

YOUNG ADULT PRIZE SHORTLIST

Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho (available in US)

Anomaly by Emma Lord

A Good Kind of Trouble by Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward

How to Be Normal by Ange Crawford (coming to US in April 2026)

This Dream Will Devour Us by Emma Clancey (available in US)

White Noise by Raelke Grimmer

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman – Book Recommendation

| Tasha

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (9780358334767)

An award-winning children’s poet collaborates with an award-winning illustrator in this book of nature poetry for children. Each poem is written as a letter between two things from nature. Oak and Acorn exchange letters as do Bubble and Sky and River and Pebble. As each writes a letter, the connection between the two is made all the more clear and profound. 

Readers will enjoy the pairs of poems and could be inspired to write their own nature letters from other pairs that they see in their own experiences. The poems are beautifully accessible to young children while also demonstrating great skill and not being childish. The illustrations by Sweet are done in her signature style of collage and filled with varying colors from page to page to show the different natural aspects. The result is a spectacular marriage of poem and art. 

A great book of poetry for children that belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Clarion Books.