On Friday 16 October 2020, the Children’s Book Council of Australia announced Bruce Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu as the winner of the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books, and Baby Business illustrator and author Jasmine Seymour as the winner of the CBCA Award for New Illustrator.

“We are honoured that the CBCA judges have awarded Young Dark Emu and Jasmine Seymour these awards,” said Tony Lee, Magabala Books’ Chairperson.

 

“Both Young Dark Emu and Baby Business are celebrations of First Nations culture, and these awards demonstrate the significance and positive impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.

 

“Magabala congratulates all the shortlisted authors and illustrators, including our illustrators Leanne Mulgo Watson and Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr. The record number of Indigenous creators on the shortlist and these wins highlight the wealth of talent of Indigenous authors and illustrators, and our belief that readers are more interested in First Nations perspectives and stories than ever before.”

Acclaimed author Bruce Pascoe, a Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man, celebrated the win on his farm in Victoria.

“The CBCA awards are massively important,” he said. “Parents rely on them to direct the reading of their children and I am extremely proud that this book will be presented to young Australians with that imprimatur of confidence.”

Darug author and illustrator Jasmine Seymour said:

“I can’t describe how it feels to win the new illustrator award. I am speechless. I wish my dad and my Nanna were here to see it. It is through their eyes that I see Country in Baby Business. Thank you to my Mudjin, my family.”

Congratulations Bruce and Jasmine, from everyone at Magabala Books.