My nonno Loves – CBCA NOTABLE BOOK!

I still feel a bit wobbly writing this…

My Nonno Loves has been named a Notable in the Early Childhood category by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

Every year, the CBCA releases a list of 25 Notable books in each category. From that list, it’s narrowed down to just 6 on the shortlist in a few weeks’ time. Then the winners are announced during CBCA Book Week in August.

To even be sitting in that first group of 25 feels enormous.
You can view all the amazing notables at the CBCA site.

If you had told little primary-school-me, the one who spent hours making tiny stapled “books” and lining up her soft toys for story time, that one day she would have a book recognised by the CBCA… I genuinely don’t think she would have believed you.

The CBCA sticker was always the shiny one that stood out in the library or at book shops. It meant, “Ooooh this book will be good!”

Seeing that little round sticker on the cover of My Nonno Loves is a real pinch-me moment

My Nonno Loves is such a personal story and to have that kind of story recognised feels deeply affirming.

It tells me that gentle stories still have a place.
That intergenerational love matters.
That “small” stories can be big in heart.

Of course, I would absolutely love to see it go further than a notable. But in all honesty, being a Notable already feels like winning.

Right now, I’m just sitting here feeling thankful.

Thankful to the CBCA judges.
Thankful to our publisher, Hardie Grant.
Thankful to every family who has read this book with a Nonno or Nonna (or remembered one).
Thankful to my incredible sister, Claudia, who illustrated this story with so much love.
And very thankful to little-me, who never stopped thinking about making books.

Shiny sticker and all ✨