Children's Book Council of Australia NT Branch

10/10/2026

Happy Love Your Bookshop Day 🎉 Jack popped by The Bookshop Darwin to help celebrate. His pick of the day was Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell and illustrated by talented Darwin artist Emma Long 💚📚 Jack is partial to finding treasure especially the edible kind 😉 Jack’s mum reckons the best treasures are the ones found in her local bookshop. Thank you for being such a vital and much-loved part of our community 💚📚🐾

06/10/2026

This year’s edition of BookFeast was brimming with enthusiastic students keen to learn the art of storytelling from some of Darwin’s favourite authors and illustrators 💚📚

There were plenty of lively conversations between creators of all ages. Stories and illustrations were shared, characters developed, and plots hatched over a tasty brunch.

Every student received a special keepsake book sponsored by Community Bank Nightcliff and signed by their mentor.

Plus we got to marvel at Barry Jonsberg’s big gold CBCA Book of the Year medal which he recently won for his stellar novel for older readers Darkest Night, Brightest Star ⭐️🥇

Thank you to our fabulous mentors: Raelke Grimmer, Sean Guy, Marnie Jay, Barry Jonsberg, Sandra Kendell, Emma Long, Darren McCallum, and Paul Seden.

We loved hosting students and teachers from Alawa Primary School, Dripstone Secondary College, Haileybury Rendall School, O’Loughlin Catholic College, St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Wagaman Primary School, and Woodroffe Primary School.

An extra special ovation for talented pianist and Haileybury Rendall student Shawn who performed Bohemian Rhapsody in celebration of the Children’s Book Week theme Symphony of Stories 🎶👏🏻👏🏻

BookFeast was made possible through the generous support of Bendigo Bank Community Bank Nightcliff. Thank you Community Bank Nightcliff for supporting the CBCA NT Branch and children’s literacy in the NT!

26/08/2026

Our cheeky Children’s Book Week Symphony of Story characters have been out and about visiting some of Darwin’s hottest kids book hangouts. Can you guess where they’ve been? Sing out if you know and we’ll tag them later today. What’s your favourite spot to connect with a great book? Happy Children’s Book Week!

1️⃣ Maestro Pebbles visiting The Bookshop Darwin
2️⃣ Borris - City of Palmerston Library
3️⃣ Bearnard - Litchfield Community Library
4️⃣ Brunhilda - Library & Archives NT
5️⃣ Brigadiers Lutz and Lofty of the Butterfly Bugle Brigade - Casuarina Library City of Darwin Libraries

25/08/2026

Acclaimed Tiwi artist and storyteller Glen Farmer Illortaminni’s picture book Tiwi in Paris was named an Honour Book in the Picture Book category of the 2026 CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Awards.

The book tells the story of Glen’s first trip to Paris which took an unexpected turn when he got lost on the first night there. What followed was an epic journey through famous French landmarks and into the homes of kind strangers.

The CBCA judges described it as a strikingly original story that celebrates culture, identity and connection to Country…both entertaining and emotionally honest with illustrations that are a glorious collision of cultures.

We’re thrilled to celebrate Territory honouree Glen Farmer Illortaminni and his remarkable book 🎉💙📚

24/08/2026

We’re elated that NT author Barry Jonsberg’s coming-of-age novel Darkest Night, Brightest Star is the winner of the 2026 CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award for Older Readers.

Barry is no stranger to the Awards with many of his 20 plus books for children and young adults appearing in the Notables lists and shortlisted across the years.

The judges praised this authentic, heartfelt and beautifully written novel for its unflinching exploration of toxic masculinity, resilience and hope. Through Morgan’s journey of self-discovery, the novel offers a powerful and compassionate portrayal of a young person navigating a complex world while learning to forge his own path.

Congratulations Barry! Thank you for championing children’s literacy in the Territory and far beyond 🎉💙📚

21/08/2026

Hooray for this year’s winners, honour books and our fabulously creative and committed children’s book community. Make sure you check out all the winners 🎉

13/08/2026

The 2026 Book of the Year Awards announcement is happening next week 🎉Get ready for the big event by listening to the judges critiques of each of the shortlisted books. A big thank you to CBCA NT Branch member John Chisholm for his tireless work in judging the Older Readers category alongside Annika and Rachel. Find all the critiques at https://cbca.org.au/ 💚📚

18/07/2026

🎶💚📚

SNEAK PEEK ✨ 🎶

There’s a Symphony of Stories coming your way. This beautiful Erstwilder collection turns these characters by award-winning illustrator Briony Stewart into wearable art!

Have you already met Maestro Pebbles, Pip and Bearnard?

Erstwilder x CBCA 2026 launches Tuesday 21 July at 12:30 pm AEST 👀

14/07/2026

📣 EXCITING NEWS | We can’t wait to welcome author Deb Fitzpatrick to the NT in September.

Deb is the author of more than a dozen books for readers of all ages, including Tawny Trouble, Kelpie Chaos, the Spencer Gray books and her YA classic 90 Packets of Instant Noodles, which was named a CBCA Notable Book.

Deb’s school sessions will explore how she turns to real life to fuel her fiction and inspire students to dive into their own creativity.

Living in a cloud forest in Costa Rica, hiking with toucans, sloths and spider monkeys, and disappearing into a shack in a Karri forest have all inspired Deb’s adventure-in-nature stories ☁️🌳🦥

School sessions are available in:
📚 Darwin | Mon 7 - Wed 9 Sept
📚 Alice Springs | Thurs 10 & Fri 11 Sept

👀 Booking information will be out this week. Please DM us or email [email protected] for more information.

🙏🏻 Thank you to the Mpartwe Alice Springs Community Foundation for partnering with the CBCA NT Branch and supporting Deb Fitzpatrick’s visit to schools in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

06/07/2026

The school holidays are the perfect time to unleash your creativity and get your book ready to enter the 2026 Young Territory Author Awards.

There’s a category for every young NT storyteller:
🥇Young Territory Author of the Year
🥇Variety NT YTAA Runner Up
🥇School Entry Winner
🥇CBCA NT WOW Award
🥇Regional Area Winners
🥇Age Category Winners (from early childhood to teens)

Go on, get inspired and write your story.

⏰ Entries close 27 August 2026.

For more information, visit the City of Darwin website:
https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries/kids-and-teens/young-territory-author-awards