| Type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's literature |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Headquarters | Norwood, South Australia, Australia |
| Key people | Marj Kirkland, President |
| Website | http://cbca.org.au |
The Children's Book Council of Australia is a not for profit organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. The CBCA presents annual awards for books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature.
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The first Australian Children's Book of the Year Award was in 1946. At that time and until 1952, there was a single award category (now the CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers Award).
In 1952 a category for the Picture Books was created, a Younger Readers category in 1982, the Eve Pownall Award for Non-Fiction in 1993, and the Early Childhood Award category was created in 2001.
Initially the awards were funded through Government grants (1966–1988), and later by individual and corporation donations and sponsorships. The CBCA decided in 1995 to establish an Award Foundation to secure the funding for these award for the future.
The CBCA's national office is Located in South Australia. There are branches of the CBCA in every state and territory of Australia. State branches are mostly autonomous, but generally adhere to most guidelines set by the national office.
The Lu Rees Archives is a research collection of books, artworks and papers by and about Australian children's authors, illustrators and publishers housed at the University of Canberra Library since 1980. The Archives is supported financially by the National Executive and the ACT Branch of The CBCA, and the collection is primarily grown through donations of publications from authors and publishers. The Archives produces an annual journal: The Lu Rees Archives Notes, Books and Authors.