The KOALA's, Kids Own Australian Literature Awards Inc. are annual awards made by young readers in the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW), to the Australian books they have most enjoyed reading during that year.
Students are invited to nominate their favourite Australian book; a shortlist of 30 titles (10 picture books, 10 titles for younger readers and 10 titles for older readers) is drawn up from the nominations. Students then vote for their favourite shortlisted title. Winners are announced in the three categories Picture Book, Younger Readers and Older Readers at a special Awards Day. Authors such as Margaret Wild, right, have been very popular over the years.
KOALA is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers (teacher/librarians, public librarians, teachers, publishers and other supporters of children’s literature). Wonderful work everyone. You can help support the the Koala's via their lovely Official KOALA Site.
KOALA WINNERS 2008
Picture Book Winner: Annie's Chair by Deborah Niland
Honour Books: Where is the green sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek and Rex by Ursula Dubosarsky and David Mackintosh
Younger Readers Winner: Just Shocking! by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Honour Books: Tashi & the mixed up monster Anna & Barbara Fienberg and Selby Shattered by Duncan Ball and Allan Stomann
Older Readers Winner: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda
Honour Books: Boy Overboard by Morrris Gleitzman and Spookiest stories by Paul Jennings
Fiction Years 7-9 Winner: Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Honour Book: Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson
Koalas 2008 Picture Book
Annie's Chair by Deborah Niland--
ISBN: 9780143501985,
ISBN- 10 - 0143501984
Annie loves her chair. She can curl up and read her books or watch TV, play with her toys or hide, be a fairy queen or bounce. No one is allowed on Annie's chair. Not Mum, not Dad and definitely not her brother Jack.
Today, Annie was boiling mad. Someone was sleeping in her chair!
'No one is allowed on my chair!' Annie tells everyone.
But who has broken the rule? And what will Annie do to get her favourite chair back?
From the much-loved illustrator of There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake, comes a delightful character - a little girl with a determined streak and an adorable personality!
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
RRP: $14.95
About Deborah Niland - -
Deborah Niland is the daughter of Australian writers, Ruth Park and D'Arcy Niland. From an early age she developed an interest in art, and particularly illustration. A strong influence being the illustrations of Noela Young seen in the series of Muddleheaded Wombat books written by Ruth Park.
Deborah studied art at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney. While in London, Deborah and her sister Kilmeny began their art careers by illustrating a book for Transworld Publishers. Other books for this publisher followed over the years.
Mulga Bill's Bicycle was the illustrated book that became a class
ic. Published in 1973 in Sydney, it is still in print. In 2007, a new edition of this title was issued by HarperCollins Australia.
Deborah has illustrated many popular books including When the Wind Changed by Ruth Park and There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof eating Cake by Hazel Edwards. In 2005 Deborah wrote and illustrated Annie's Chair, This book, won the CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood in 2006.
She is presently working on more of her own author-artist productions.
For a list of recent publications check out the book page.
Although book illustration has been a continuing interest, Deborah has also been involved with painting for exhibitons and producing artwork for greeting cards, magazines and newspapers.
She enjoys working in a wide variety of styles and techniques, mainly using pencil, ink, watercolour and gouache, and more recently digital painting.
Deborah Niland's website website
Back to top
Picture Book Honour Books
Where is the green sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horace
| ISBN-13: |
9780670041497 |
| ISBN-10: |
0670041491 |
| Imprint: |
Viking |
| Publisher: |
Penguin Books. |
 Here is the blue sheep, and here is the red sheep. Here is the bath sheep, and here is the bed sheep. But where is the green sheep? Mem Fox and Judy Horacek take you on a wildly wonderful adventure in their rollicking search for the green sheep.
About the Author
Mem has never owned a sheep, let alone a green one, but she does admit to having woolly thoughts from time to time. Judy loves drawing things, especially sheep. This is her first flock. Mem Fox website
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
About the Illustrator
Judy Horacek is an Australian cartoonist, illustrator and writer. She has worked for many newspapers and a multitude of community groups, unions, small magazines and good causes and has published a number of cartoon collections. Recently she has also begun creating children’s picture books. Judy Horacek's website
Back to top |
Rex by Ursula Dubosarsky and David Mackintosh
| Publisher: |
Roaring Brook Press |
| ISBN: |
1596431865 |
| EAN: |
9781596431867 |
 Rex, a tiny chameleon, is the class pet. Every day someone gets to take him home, along with a notebook for recording his adventures. How cool is that?
But what's really cool about Rex--the book--is that those exploits are depicted as though each classmate has actually done the artwork. In the course of 32 pages, Rex manages to go for a swim, fall out of a window, and get dressed up as Malibu Barbie. And at the end, readers are encouraged to invent their own adventures with Rex. . . .
How cool is that?
Ursula Dubosarsky Website
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
About the Author
Ursula Dubosarsky was born in Sydney, Australia, third child in a family of writers. From the time she was first able to read, at age six, she wanted to be a writer. Among her favourite books as a child were "Biquette the White Goat" by F rancoise, "Gone is Gone" by Wanda Gag, and "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" by May Gibbs. She wrote stories and poems and puppet plays all through primary and high school.
After finishing school, Ursula went to Sydney University to study English and languages, including Old Icelandic and Latin. When she graduated, she moved to Canberra to work in the public service, and in the evenings after work she wrote a time slip adventure called "Zizzy Zing".
She then spent a year traveling, meeting her Argentinean husband, Avi, while working on a kibbutz in Israel. They married London, then returned to Australia to live, where their daughter Maisie was born. At this time Ursula wrote her first published book, "Maisie and the Pinny Gig" illustrated by an old school friend, Roberta Landers. She then wrote a comic children's novel, "High Hopes", which she sent as an unsolicited manuscript to Penguin Books in Melbourne. The book was accepted.
Since this time, Ursula has published many more novels as well as a number of books for younger children, and has won several prestigious national literary prizes. She lives in Sydney with her family - Avi, daughter Maisie, and two sons, Dover and Bruno. She recently completed a PhD in English literature at Macquarie University.
Back to top |
Koala's 2008 Younger Readers
Younger Readers Winner: Just Shocking! by Andy Griffiths (left) and Terry 
Denton (below right)
Is this the right book for you? Take the SHOCKING TEST and find out. Do you wish you could drive around in a monster truck crushing everybody and everything that gets in your way? Do you love watching videos ofpeople having painful accidents? Do you do any - or all - of the following: touch electric fences, play with loaded mousetraps or put buttons up your nose? Do you think stories about exploding pink butterflies are funny? Do you ever laugh so hard that you feel like you're going to throw up all over yourself...and then you actually do? Score: One point for each yes answer. 3-5: You are a shocking, shocking person! You will
love this book. 1-2: You are quite shocking! You will love this book. 0: What a shocking score! You will love this book.
Andy Griffiths Writer. Has previously worked as a musician, English teacher, book editor and publisher.
Andy Griffiths website | Watch clips of 'What's With Andy' TV Show on You Tube | in- depth bio
Terry Denton is a writer and illustrator who is based in Melbourne, Australia. His work is mainly humour-based cartoon style with wild colours and racy text. Although he does have his gentle moments, too.
Terry Denton's website |
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
Back to top
Younger Readers Winner Honour Books
Tashi & the mixed up monster Anna & Barbara Fienberg -Published by Allen & Unwin
In the fourteenth book about the ever-popular Tashi, a fire-breathing monster breaks out of Wise-as-an-Owl's workshop and threatens them all, and when Tashi is accused of killing the carp in Soh Meen's pond, he uses a Truth Potion to find the real culprit.
Description 
Run, children,' said Wise-as-an-Owl. No, hide!'
Much-to-learn has got it wrong again - he's magicked up a hideous monster that's bursting out of the garden workshop. And it's coming Tashi's way!
Then everyone believes that Tashi killed Soh Meen's golden carp. The only way Tashi can clear his name is to find the real culprit. But how?
Sometimes you have to sound brave to be brave but clever Tashi always finds a way.
About Anna & Barbara Fienberg
Anna Fienberg (left) is the author of many popular and award-winning books for children of all ages. Her mother, Barbara Fienberg, an ex-librarian, is chief plot-deviser for the Tashi books. Kim Gamble has done splendid illustrations for many of Anna's books, and for books by other authors. Anna Feinberg Extended bio
Back to top
Selby Shattered by Duncan Ball and Allan Stomann
Selby, the only talking dog in Australia, and, perhaps, the world, returns with another fabulous collection of hilarious stories. Age 7- 12 years.
Duncan Ball Website
Back to top
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
Koalas 2008 Older Readers
Winner: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda
| ISBN: |
|
9781862917507 |
| ISBN-10: |
|
1862917507 |
| Publisher: |
|
Scholastic |
The day that Leo Zifkak became the owner of the music box, his
life changed forever. Leo didnt know this at the time. His heart didnt miss a beat as he took the box calmly from his mother and put it on his desk. He had no idea what he was holding in his hands. The old music box has its rules, carefully handed down through the generations in Leos family. A long-ago ancestor called Rollo had brought it back from one of his world trips. It had a plain black shiny lid, but its sides were painted with detailed scenes of a town, a castle on a hill, a queen in a long blue gown. Those who had owned it before Leo understood its powers well, and placed strict limits on its use. But now it is Leos music box, and although he respects the rules, his least favourite cousin Mimi Langlander does not. When the rules are flouted and the Blue Queen appears and takes Mimis dog Mutt back to the world of Rondo, Leo finds himself on an alarming quest to retrieve him, with the disagreeable Mimi at his side.
Emily Rodda Website | Biography
Honour Books: Boy Overboard by Morrris Gleitzman
Jamal and Bibi have a dream. To lead Australia to soccer glory in the next World Cup. They know it won't be easy. They'll have to beat some really good teams, plus landmines, pirates, storms and assassins. But they are sure they can achieve their dream... if only they can get to Australia. Ages 8+.
A compelling first-person narrator and football theme hooks boys' interest, while a feisty female character ensures that girls have a strong character to empathise with. *Themes include family, government oppression, discrimination, asylum seekers, dreams vs. reality, relationships and responsibility. *Ideal for mixed ability classes. Morris Gleitzman Website
Back to top
Spookiest stories by Paul Jennings
Hand-picked by Paul, this book contains twenty-six of his weirdest stories from the Uncollected series. Funniest Stories has already appealed to audiences, having sold over 30,000 copies to date, and Paul Jennings' Weirdest Stories will definitely be the weirdest anthology yet! Ages 10+.
Paul Jennings Website (excellent)
Koalas 2008 Fiction Years 7 - 9
Winner: Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
This is the true story of a poor Chinese peasant boy who, plucked unsuspectingly at the age of ten from millions of others across the land to be trained as a ballet dancer, turned the situation to his advantage to become one of the world's greatest ballet stars. Simply told, with charm, humour and compassion and at times, this is a great drama. His childhood, despite the terrible hardships, is drawn with love and affection and contrasts starkly with the seven lonely years of gruelling training at the Peking Dance Academy. At the age of l8, Li performs at the Houston Ballet school in the US, which leads to his dramatic defection. This is a condensed edition, specially for younger readers, and has an Afterword especially for children
Back to top
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
Li Cunxin Website & Biography
Honour Book: Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson
Ping is struggling to protect the young dragon Kai from the ruthless enemies that stalk him. Then an old friend sends her a secret map that shows the way to Dragon Haven and the Dragonkeeper sets out on the most important journey of her life. But when Ping and Kai arrive they are shocked to find that Dragon Haven has been 
abandoned and only a pile of dragon bones remains. What has happened to the wild creatures that roamed there? The answer comes in the form of a mysterious dragon who holds the key to Kai's future...
About the Author
Carole Wilkinson was born in the UK but now lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and daughter. Her DRAGONKEEPER trilogy has won her many awards in Australia. Carole Wilkinson Website
Back to top
Koala's 2008 Shortlists
Picture Storybooks
Annie's Chair, Niland, Deborah (Penguin)
Are We There Yet? Lester, Alison (Penguin)
Dimity Dumpty, Graham, Bob (Walker)
Dougal and Bumble & the Long Walk Home Dray, Matt Dray, Matt (Penguin)
Jungle Drums Base, Graeme Base, (Penguin)
Lucy’s Cat and the Rainbow Birds Hill, Anthony ILLUSTRATED:. Tanner, Jane (Penguin)
Rex Dubosarsky, Ursula ILLUSTRATED:. Mackintosh, David Penguin
Uno's Garden Base, Graeme Base, (Penguin)
Where is the Green Sheep? Fox, Mem ILLUSTRATED:. Horacek, Judy (Penguin)
2008 Fiction for Younger Readers
4F for Freaks, Hobbs, Leigh Hobbs, A&U
Boyz Rule: SERIES Arena, Felice (Pan Macmillan)
Extreme Adventures Series D’Ath Justin (Penguin)
Just Shocking! Griffiths, Andy ILLUSTRATED: Denton, Terry (Macmillan)
Little Lunch #5 Katz, Danny ILLUSTRATED: Vane, Mitch Black Dog Books
Scary Stories for Brave Boys and Girls Milne, Christopher (Milne Books)
Selby Shattered Ball, Duncan ILLUSTRATED: Stomann, Allan (Harper Collins)
Tashi and the Mixed up Monster Fienberg, Anna & Barbara Gamble, (A&U)
Tashi and the Stolen Bus Fienberg, Anna & Barbara Gamble, (A&U)
What Bumosaur is That? (purple book) Griffiths, Andy (Macmillan)
Back to top
2008 Fiction for Older Readers
Boy Overboard Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Doubting Thomas Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Garden of Purple Dragon Wilkinson, Carole (Black Dog Books)
Give Peas a Chance Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Goat Who Sailed the World French, Jackie (Harper Collins)
Hitler's Daughter French, Jackie (Harper Collins)
Key to Rondo Rodda, Emily (Scholastic Omnibus)
Keys to the Kingdom: Lady Friday Nix, Garth (A&U)
Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game Arena, Felice (Penguin)
Spookiest Stories Jennings, Paul (Penguin)
2008 Fiction for Older Readers
Boy Overboard Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Doubting Thomas Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Garden of Purple Dragon Wilkinson, Carole (Black Dog Books)
Give Peas a Chance Gleitzman, Morris (Penguin)
Goat Who Sailed the World French, Jackie Harper Collins
Hitler's Daughter French, Jackie (Harper Collins)
Key to Rondo Rodda, Emily (Scholastic Omnibus)
Keys to the Kingdom: Lady Friday Nix, Garth (A&U)
Specky Magee and the Spirit of the Game Arena, Felice (Penguin)
Spookiest Stories Jennings, Paul (Penguin)
2008 Fiction for Years 7 - 9
Cold Skin Herrick, Steven
Contest Reilly, Matthew
Dragon Moon Wilkinson, Carole
Evil Genius Jinks, Catherine
Horse Called Elvis Heffernan, John
Hover Car Racer Reilly, Matthew
Ice Station Reilly, Matthew
Mao's Last Dancer Cunxin, Li
Runestone Ciddor, Anna
Scarecrow Reilly, Matthew
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
KOALA WINNERS 2007
Picture Book - Chatterbox by Margaret Wild & Deborah Niland
Younger Readers The Cat on the Mat is Flat-by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Older Readers- Zombie Bums from Uranus by Andy Griffiths.
Top 10 
1. Annie's Chair by Deborah Niland
2. Zac Power S.)(series) by H.I. Larry
3.Are We There Yet?Alison Lester
4.Where is the Green Sheep?by Mem Fox & Judy Horacek
5. Rex by Ursula Dubosarsky & David Mackintosh
6.Boyz Rule!(series) by Felice Arena & Phil Kettle
7.Dog Den Mystery(Jack Russell Dog Detective) by Sally & Darrel Odgers
8.Tashi and the Stolen Bus (Tashi) by Anna & Barbara Fienberg & Kim Gamble
9. Max Remy (Spy Force S.) (series) by Deb Abela
10. Doubting Thomas Morris Gleitzman (right)
Back to top
KOALA WINNERS 2006
Picture Book: Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear by Matt Dray
Younger Readers: Girlz Rock (series) by Julie Mullins, Shay Kettle, Jacqueline Arena, Holly Smith Dinbergs
Older Readers-Dragonkeeper: Garden of the Purple Dragon Carole Wilkinson
Top 10
Clancy the Courageous Cow by Lachie Hume
Where is the Green Sheep? Mem Fox & Judy Horecek
Too Many Pears! by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley
Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester
Boyz Rule! (series) by Felice Arena & Phil Kettle
Tashi and the Forbidden Room: Bk. 12 by Anna & Barbara Fienberg & Kim Gamble
At the Beach: Postcards from Crabby Spit by Roland Harvey
Selby's Shemozzle by Duncan Ball & Allan Stomann
Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman
Dog Den Mystery by Sally & Darrel Odgers
KOALA WINNERS 2005
Picture Book: Mutt Dog! Stephen Michael King
Younger Readers: Too cool series Phil Kettle & Craig Smith
Older Readers:The Bad Book by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
TOP 10
1. Baby Boomsticks by Margaret Wild & David Legge
2. There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi (Tashi) by Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg & Kim Gamble
3. Kiss, Kiss! by Margaret Wild & Bridget Stevens-Marzo
4 .Boyz Rule! Series by Felice Arena & Phil Kettle
5. The Waterhole Graeme Base
6. Pete the Sheep-Sheep Jackie French & Bruce Whatley
7. Jungle Drums Graeme Base
8. Henry & Amy Stephen Michael King
9. Little Humpty Margaret Wild & Ann James
10. Zombie Bums from Uranus by Andy Griffiths
Back to top
COMPLETE LIST OF KOALA WINNERS A-Z 1987 - 2004
Animalia Graeme Base 1988 Secondary
Bamboozled David Legge 1996 Picture Book
Billy the punk Jessica Carroll & Craig Smith 1997 Picture Book
Cool School: You Make it Happen (Juvenile Fiction S.) John Marsden (the ever popular John Marsden left)1998 Senior Book
Deltora Quest (series 1) Emily Rodda & Marc McBride 2002 Younger Readers
Deltora Quest (series 3) Emily Rodda & Marc McBride 2004 Younger Readers
Desert Dan the dunny man Di Bates & Stephen Axelsen 1999 Junior Book
Diary of a Wombat Jackie French & Bruce Whatley 2003 Picture Book
Duck for cover Paul Jennings,Ted Greenwood & Terry Denton 1995 Infants/primary
Gasp! Terry Denton 1996 Junior Book
Grandad's teeth Rod Clement 1999 Picture Book
Hating Alison Ashley Ashley Robin Klein 1987 Secondary
Just Annoying! Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton 1999 Senior Book
Just Crazy! Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton 2001 Older Readers
Just Disgusting! Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton 2003 Older Readers
Just Stupid! Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton 2000 Senior Book
Just Tricking! Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton 2002 Older Readers
Looking for Alibrandi Melina Marchetta 1993 Secondary
Max Bob Graham 2001 Picture Book
Miss Wolf and the Porkers (Aussie bites) Bill Condon 2001 Younger Readers
Old Tom: Man of Mystery Leigh Hobbs 2004 Picture Book
People Might Hear You Robin Klein 1992 Secondary
Pocket Dogs Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King 2002 Picture Book
Possum Magic Mem Fox & Julie Vivas 1987 Infants/primary
Selby Snowbound Duncan Ball & Allan Stomann 2000 Junior Book
Selby Spacedog Duncan Ball & Allan Stomann 1997 Junior Book
Selby Speaks Duncan Ball & Allan Stomann 1998 Junior Book
Sharon, keep your hair on Gillian Rubinstein & David Mackintosh 2000 Picture Book
Sister Madge's Book of Nuns Doug McLeod & Craig Smith 1988 Infants/primary
So Much to Tell You John Marsden 1989 Secondary
The Big Big Big Book of Tashi (Tashi), Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg& Kim Gamble 2003 Younger Readers
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie May Gibbs 1988 Bicentennial Award
The Eleventh Hour Graeme Base 1989 Infants/primary
The Midnight Gang Margaret Wild & Ann James 1998 Picture Book
The Power of One Bryce Countenay 1995 Secondary
The Red King (Puffin books)Victor Kelleher 1991 Secondary
Tomorrow, When the War Began John Marsden 1995 Secondary
Truckdogs Graeme Base
2004 Older Readers
Unbearable!: More Bizarre Stories Paul Jennings 1993 Infants/primary
Unbelievable!: More Surprising Stories Paul Jennings 1991 Infants/primary
Undone!: More Mad Endings Paul Jennings 1994 Infants/primary
Undone!: More Mad Endings Paul Jennings 1996 Senior Book
Unmentionable!: More Amazing Stories Paul Jennings 1992 Infants/primary
Unreal!: Eight Surprising Stories Paul Jennings 1990 Secondary
Water Wings Morris Gleitzman 1997 Senior Book
Where the Forest Meets the Sea Jeannie Baker 1990 Infants/primary
Buy online from | QBD books au| seek Books au| the nile books au | fishpond books au|abeBooks
Back to top
Winner 
| 
Over 100 Australian and International Award Details. Winners. Shorts. News. All Genres. Enter here>>
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Stumble Upon
Furl
Magnolia
Reddit
