2025 Speech Pathology Australia
Book of the Year Awards

Meet the winners

 

A new chapter begins! 📖

We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards.

Join us from Diamond Valley Library in Naarm / Melbourne, on Wurundjeri Country, as we take you on a journey through this year’s winning books.

 
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Discover previous winners of the
Book of the Year Awards

Previous winners

 

Birth to 3 Years

Where is Cheeky Monster?

Written by Mike Lucas
Illustrated by Heidi McKinnon
Published by Penguin Books Australia
ISBN: 9781761341984

Where is Cheeky Monster? is an engaging and entertaining story that uses rhyme and repetition to explore opposites and celebrate diversity. The Cheeky Monster fosters imagination and curiosity, supporting early language development. Inviting illustrations and well-matched imagery complement the narrative and support early literacy development through shared book reading opportunities. Where is Cheeky Monster? is a perfect read for children who are developing their love of books.

3–5 Years

Don’t Worry, Felix

Written by Yohann Devezy and Katharine Alice
Illustrated by Zoe Bennett
Published by New Frontier Publishing
ISBN: 9781923145054

Don’t Worry, Felix presents a warm and relatable narrative about big feelings, especially around changes for children, like starting school. Using a red balloon to represent Felix’s emotions, the story helps children understand and talk about complex feelings. Through Felix’s father’s calm breathing technique, readers learn a simple and practical way to manage worry.

The book provides a valuable space for adults and children to talk about their feelings and develop emotional intelligence. This beautifully illustrated and written book encourages dialogue, supports reading and language comprehension and is a representation of daily family life, making it an excellent resource for discussing an important topic.

 

5–8 Years

Willow’s Gumboots

Written by Beverley McWilliams
Illustrated by Helene Magisson
Published by Midnight Sun Publishing
ISBN: 9781922858535

Willow’s Gumboots offers relatable narrative on sustainability and giving new life to pre-loved items. The story introduces environmental awareness and sparks children’s imagination, creating opportunities for adults and children to discuss caring for our planet.

Rich descriptive language and playful techniques such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, alongside many short and easily understood sentences, keep readers engaged. Bright, engaging illustrations inspire discussion and language development, making this a gentle and accessible introduction to sustainable practices in everyday life.

8–10 Years

Stage Stars: Musical Theatre Club – The Audition

Written by Penny McNamee
Published by Scholastic Australia
ISBN: 9781760269197

Stage Stars: Musical Theatre Club – The Audition is a meaningful and entertaining book, perfect for readers who sometimes feel different. It champions diversity, neurodiversity, disability, and inclusion, through well-developed, deeply relatable characters who help to empower reader. With an underlying message of following your dreams, the reader is encouraged to believe in themselves and try their best. The short chapters make this a fast-paced and engaging read. This book will help readers empower themselves, include others, and support comprehension and new vocabulary development at the same time.

 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Book

Country

Written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson
Illustrated by Cheryl Davison
Published by Wild Dog Books
ISBN: 9781742036779

Country invites readers to celebrate the Spirit of Country and how to start to connect with Country. With immersive and beautiful illustrations, Country allows readers to explore their relationship with the Country they live, learn and play on. Perfect for early childhood, this book nurtures curiosity, respect, and belonging.

Inviting conversations about between ourselves and the land we connect with, Country offers a powerful opportunity for reflection.

Summed up beautifully by the book: “Country is all of us. Country is how we behave, how we care for each other. When we care for Country, Country is strong and healthy and then we are strong and healthy too.”

Decodable Book Series

PLD Decodable Reading Books – Initial Code

Published by PLD

The PLD Decodable Series – Initial Code is engineered for success in reading for young children. Its clear instructional focus, and strong scope and sequence provide a structured and effective pathway for literacy development.

According to the judges, by emphasising high repetition of phoneme-grapheme correspondence and offering “clear instructions”, PLD makes decoding accessible and builds foundational reading skills. Coupled with engaging stories on “interesting topics for children” and “good vocabulary development and oral language instruction”, this series ensures that young readers are supported, motivated, and equipped for successful reading journeys.