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Premier's Prize for Writing for Children
or Children's Books
Subcategory of Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
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Latest Winners / Recipients

Year: 2020

winner y separately published work icon How to Make a Bird Megan McKinlay , Matt Ottley (illustrator), Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2020 19897910 2020 single work picture book

'Extraordinary imagery and rich language spark the reader's imagination as they enter the creative world of a young girl.

'From award-winning author Meg McKinlay and celebrated artist Matt Ottley comes a moving and visually stunning picture book that celebrates the transformative power of the creative process from inception through recognition to celebration and releasing into the world. We shadow the protagonist as she contemplates the blue print of an idea, collects the things that inspire from the natural world to shape a bird. And breathes life into it before letting it fly free. It shows how small things, combined with a little imagination and a steady heart, can transform into works of magic.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

Year: 2019

winner y separately published work icon Catch a Falling Star Megan McKinlay , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2019 14798193 2019 single work children's fiction children's

'It’s 1979 and the sky is falling. Skylab, that is. Somewhere high above Frankie Avery, one of the world’s first space stations is tumbling to Earth. And rushing back with it are old memories. Things twelve-year-old Frankie thought she’d forgotten. Things her mum won’t talk about, and which her little brother Newt never knew. Only ... did he? Does he? Because as Skylab circles closer, Newt starts acting strangely. And while the world watches the sky, Frankie keeps her own eyes on Newt. Because if anyone’s going to keep him safe, it’s her. It always has been. But maybe this is something bigger than splinters and spiders and sleepwalking. Maybe a space station isn’t the only thing heading straight for calamity.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Year: 2018

winner y separately published work icon The Hole Story Kelly Canby , Kelly Canby (illustrator), Fremantle : Fremantle Press , 2018 12850031 2018 single work picture book children's

'One day Charlie finds a hole. A hole of his very own! He picks it up and pops it in his pocket.

'But it doesn’t take Charlie long to realise that a hole in your pocket is not a good thing to have . . .' (Publication summary)

Year: 2016

winner y separately published work icon The Duck and the Darklings Glenda Millard , Stephen Michael King (illustrator), Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2014 7189876 2014 single work picture book children's

'Grandpapa's eyes shine when he remembers the beauty of the world, long-ago. Peterboy wants to find something wonderful to bring the light to Grandpapa's eyes and keep it there. What he finds is a duck, wounded and broken, and Grandpapa mends her from top to tail; quack, waddle and wing!

'The Duck and the Darklings is a triumphant story, for children and adults, about the coming of hope in dark days, the warmth of friendship and the splendour of a new dawn.' (Publication summary)

Year: 2014

joint winner y separately published work icon Light Horse Boy Dianne Wolfer , Brian Simmonds (illustrator), North Fremantle : Fremantle Press , 2013 Z1910182 2013 single work picture book children's 'In 1914 Jim and Charlie abandon the Australian outback for the excitement and adventure of the war to end all wars. But in the Light Horse they quickly discover the brutal realities of life on the frontline. And nothing will ever be the same again. Featuring stunning charcoal sketches by Brian Simmonds alongside primary source documents and historical photos, Light Horse Boy goes behind the scenes of the great ANZAC legends for an intimate look at their experience of World War I.' (Publisher's blurb)
joint winner y separately published work icon The Swap Jan Ormerod , Andrew Joyner (illustrator), Richmond : Hardie Grant Egmont , 2013 6345901 2013 single work picture book children's

'Caroline Crocodile’s baby brother dribbles. But all Mama Crocodile EVER says is how GORGEOUS he is. Caroline is VERY jealous. So she goes to the Baby Shop and tries to swap her dribbly brother for new baby. The trouble is, there’s something not quite right with any of them…' (Publisher's blurb)

Works About this Award

Big Rain Still Enthralls Kids Deborah Bogle , 2013 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 9 February 2013; (p. 8)
Picturing Simple Moments Anna Walker , 2011 single work essay
— Appears in: What's on at the State Library of Victoria , Autumn 2011; (p. 20-23)
Sister's Story of Success Fiona Purdon , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 16 December 2010; (p. 64)
So Whom Are We Writing For? Mem Fox , 2001 single work essay
— Appears in: Bookbird , vol. 39 no. 4 2001; (p. 6-11)
Mem Fox attempts to answer her own question 'For Whom Am I Writing?' She concludes that she must banish the voices of critics, parents, booksellers, teachers, librarians and publishers to write simply for little children.
Nursery Rhymes Ronald George Edwards , 1991 single work prose children's fiction
— Appears in: Remembered Rhymes from Childhood 1991; (p. 18-31)
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