We are thrilled that The First Sunrise by Vanessa Stevens, illustrated by Paul Seden, has been shortlisted for the 2026 Karajia Award for Children’s Literature. 

The First Sunrise is the first Mbabaram creation story to be published and uses the connection between traditional knowledge and science to impart facts and lessons for children. The first in a new Magabala series: First Peoples • First Sciences. It includes fun science (with cute line illustrations) for young children such as how to use the sun to find your way always know where you are, and how to judge the time of day by the directio

The Karajia Award is part of the Environment Awards for Children’s Literature run by the Wilderness Society who made the announcement on the 13th of June 2024.

The winners of the Karajia and Environment Awards will be announced later this year. 

You can view the full shortlist here.