Five of Magabala Books' titles have been shortlisted for the 2026 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards.

The five books, all recognised in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Book category, are:

• Dingo's Dream by Helen Milroy
• Getting Dusty by Jared Thomas
• Going Fishing with Nana by Lindsay Haji-Ali and Frances Haji-Ali, illustrated by Karen Briggs
• Going for Pippies by Wilaaran Laurie, illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey
• Muttonfish Magic by Aunty Ruth Simms and Lucy Robertson, illustrated by Jasmine Seymour

The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards aim to ‘promote quality Australian books that help children get the best, most literate start in life’. The books shortlisted are judged on their ‘appeal to children, interactive quality and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in communication and literacy development’.

Congratulations to all shortlisted authors and illustrators. The shortlisted books are now being judged against criteria relevant to each category by a panel of experts in oral language and literacy development.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 28 October 2026.