AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN'S  EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2001-2003

The Children's Book Council of Australia aims to foster children's enjoyment of books. This is achieved through promoting high standards in book reviewing, by supporting children's library services, by organizing exhibitions and activities during Children's Book Week, by providing information and encouragement to authors and illustrators, and by sponsoring the Children's Book of the Year Awards. A shortlist of six titles is chosen in each of five categories and a winner is selected for each category.  The Awards are presented annually in August for a book written by an Australian, or a resident of Australia. The Early Childhood Award (5 to 8 years old) was introduced in 2001.