Every two years the incredible team at ASLA – The Australian School Library Association - invite librarians from all over the country to come together, share knowledge, awards, information and kick up their heals in celebration of what an amazing job librarians do.
Some years back, SCBWI approached ASLA to form a partnership, where, during their conferences, we showcase some of our incredibly talented creators. In 2023 we joined them on the Gold Coast in 2023 and this year in Geelong. Combining passionate librarians with stupendous kids’ book creators is a natural fit and made for a joyful and wondrous event. There were talks, workshops, tears, laughter and lots and lots of talking about books and story.
Thank you so much for the incredible ASLA team: Martha Itzcovitz, Sonja Brownridge and the entire committee for a fascinating and celebratory few days.
For our part, nine SCBWI creators held two 90 minute sessions, where they dived into their creative process and shared activities for librarians to help their kids create their own artwork and stories. We also had a SCBWI stand of books where we had the chance to meet and thank the incredible librarians who help kids find books they will love.
Thank you to Caz Goodwin, Amy Adeney, Claire Saxby, Kaye Baillie, Jess Racklyeft, Judy Watson, Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, Margaret Roc and Susanne Gervay … all clever and talented people down to their toes.
At the conference dinner, author Kate Foster, creator of the DANZ awards - The Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children's Book Award – announced the winners for 2025.
graphic novel Ghost Book by Remy Lai (Allen and Unwin)
non-fiction The Trees by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen (Hardie Grant)
poetry Pasifika Navigators by 52 Pasifika Student Authors (Mila’s Books)
young adults Catch a Falling Star by Eileen Merriman (Penguin Random House New Zealand)
It was a brilliant few days celebrating what it is we do and why we love librarians so much!
Deborah Abela, Co-RA SCBWI AustEast