CHILDREN & YOUTH

Library services and collections for Children & Youth

KOALA


 

Nominations for the 2025 KOALAs have now closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of the shortlisted titles, early in term 2. It'll then be over to you, to read and vote for your favourite books! Voting will be online on the KOALA website at www.koalansw.org.au/voting. Get ready!

The 2025 KOALA Timeline

Nominations   Closed Friday 4 April 2025
Shortlist   The 2025 shortlist of nominated books will be announced in week one of term 2
Voting   Voting opens online at the start of term one and coloses at the end of term 3
Awards Day   Online and at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School Thursday 13 November (toward the end of term 4)


About KOALA

KOALA stands for Kids Own Australian Literature Awards and every year, young readers from all over New South Wales judge their very own literature awards! By voting in KOALA you can reward the Australian children's books that have most inspired, amused, terrified, enlightened, and engaged you! There are four award categories, Picture Book, Younger Readers, OIder Readers, and Years 7-9. One lucky author will also be awarded the KOALA Legend for 2025!

KOALA aims to promote and encourage the enjoyment and appreciation of Australian literature for children and young adults. It also hopes to involve young readers in NSW in the process of selecting the most popular books. The awards assist in developing readers' critical appreciation skills and gives recognition to Australian authors and illustrators.

KOALA gives students a voice regarding the books they love to read and involves them in the voting process—encouraging them to discuss and debate their views on literature.


Learn to Read

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NSW Premiers Reading Challenge


The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It's also a great place to find your next great read! more


The Readings Childrens Book Prize


The Readings Prize continues to support new and outstanding Australian voices across three separate categories of fiction—Children’s, Young Adult, and New Australian. The Readings Prize is unique in the Australian literary landscape being the only prize currently run by an independent Melbourne bookshop and supporting emerging local voices. It's also a great place to find your next great read! more


Ebooks & Eaudiobooks

Download free eBooks and eAudiobooks from the library more



CBCA Book of the Year Awards


The annual CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Book of the Year Awards are Australia's premiere children's book awards. It's also a great place to find your next great read! more

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