From the blog: The 2026 Northern Primary Readers’ Cup
What does a thylacine ghost, dry-land dog sledding, a marvellous submarine, bus-bullies, and potentially untrustworthy fish have in common? The 2026 Northern Primary School Readers’ Cup!
Welcome to the CBCA (Tasmanian Branch) Inc. website
2026: CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Find out more at Book Week 2026
2026 Executive elected on October 25, 2025
Your 2025-26 executive are:
President - Steve Martin
Vice President - Roxanne Steenbergen
Secretary - Jo-Ann Wolf
Treasurer and Public Officer - Felicity Sly
We welcome enquiries. Please go to our contacts page.
2026 MERCHANDISE
Merchandise for the 2026 Book of the Year Awards is now available at https://store.cbca.org.au.
Membership for 2026
Forms are now available on the Membership page, or by emailing tas@cbca.org.au.
Join or renew now to support the volunteer operations of CBCA Tas Branch.
New memberships will be active from date of processing until Dec 31 2026.
Personal or institution membership forms can be accessed here.
Book of the Year Awards
Readers' Cup Primary South 2026
After a successful 2025 Readers' Cup primary - congratulations to overall winners Dodges Ferry Primary School - we have two offers to host in 2026.
Details will be advised early in 2026.
Email tas@cbca.org.au for information.
Readers' Cup Information Booklet
Book Week 2026
August 22-28
Theme: Symphony of Stories
Artwork by Briony Stewart
Dates to remember
Notables announced February 24 2026
Shortlist announced March 31 2026
Winners & Shadow Judging Winners announced August 21 2026
CBCA TASMANIA SHORT LIST TALKS
CBCA Tasmania is pleased to offer several events that celebrate the CBCA Book of the Year Awards including Judges’ Talks and Short List discussions.
COST: $5 entry fee. Free to current members,
Bookings are essential. Visit the events page to complete your booking.
READ ALOUD TO YOUR CHILD EVERY DAY
Launched October 29 2023
CBCA Tasmania Branch and Toast 4 Kids charity have co-launched an initiative to encourage parents/caregivers to read aloud to children in their care...every day. We aim for this message to go Australia-wide, with the opportunity for any organisation to add their own logo to the banner/email signature. Please contact us at tas@cbca.org.au if you would like a copy of the logo.
OCTOBER 2025: PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF CHILDREN'S LITERACY RE-ESTABLISHED
It is intended that this Group will support the promotion of public messages encouraging parents and caregivers throughout Australia to read to their children every day; and inform Members and Senators of the importance of and benefits of children's literacy.
Contact Persons: TBA
Events calendar
Foundation for Literacy and Learning Symposium
Shadow Judging
Register for 2026 via the SUN Project website
Newsletter
Join the conversation
Online Resources
Visit the CBCA website to access Reading Time for children's book news and reviews.
Go to links on this website
Latest news (please scroll)
From the blog: A Mixed Bag of Lollies and a Book Full of Splats
It is wonderful to have Johanna Bell returning to the blog (see previous post here) to share insights into her latest book What is a Splat? and how its development aligns with her life and passion for writing. The spontaneity between Johanna's words and Amelia's illustrations is delightful and full of joy.
From the blog: Octopuses abound in the CBCA Younger Readers Category
CBCA Younger Readers Judge, Kym Diprose, talking to an avid group in Ulverstone, noted the prevalence of octopuses in entries this year. Felicity Sly picks up this theme to share these, with some other texts and formats, to delve into an octopuses’ garden of tales.
From the blog: A Window into the 2026 Judges & Judging – the Jury is Out!
The merry month of May has provided Tasmanian children’s literature lovers with two fascinating presentations from CBCA Book of the Year Judges. Many thanks to Anna Davidson, Dr Mark Macleod and Kym Diprose for sharing deep insights and intriguing snippets about the judging processes and an array of spectacular books.
From the blog: Books in Battle: Championing Verse Novels in the Middle School Library
Join Michelle Davies as she shares a successful and engaging program to hook middle school readers onto verse novels.