The Story Box Library team is excited to release popular and shortlisted story titles in collaboration with Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), for Book Week 2022. Explore shortlisted stories below from the Early Childhood, Picture Book, Eve Pownall and New Illustrator categories, or find CBCA stories in our digital collection here.

Story Box Library is also releasing dedicated activities, due for public release Monday 18 July. Designed for educator and library staff use, our comprehensive downloadable packs encourage deeper text engagement, via engaging activity tasks that can be done in a classroom setting, library or remotely. Learn more about our CBCA Book Week 2022 activities here.

Jetty Jumping

Writer Andrea Rowe and illustrator Hannah Sommerville perfectly capture the challenges of childhood – and the joy of letting go – in Jetty Jumping, a homage to summer. Read by actor Angourie Rice.

Walk of the Whales

When all the whales in the ocean leave their home to walk around on land, people don’t quite know what to think…until a smart little girl decides to ask the whales what everyone can do to help. Walk of the Whales is created by Nick Bland and read by Tamala Shelton.

Winston and the Indoor Cat
Created by Leila Rudge, Winston and the Indoor Cat is about two very different cats: Winston, a free-spirited explorer; and The Indoor Cat, lover of leisure, who form a friendship and show each other how different their lives could be. Read by actor Laurence Boxhall.

Iceberg

Ocean, sky, snow and ice - minute greens and giant blues - dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg. Iceberg is a stunning, lyrical story for our times, from renowned creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft. Read by Angourie Rice.

Stellarphant

Stella wants to be an astronaut. There is only one problem: Stella is an elephant. But where there’s a will, there’s a way and Stella is determined to reach for the stars. Stellarphant is created by James Foley and read by Jillian Nguyen.

The Boy and the Elephant

From award-winning illustrator and storyteller Freya Blackwood, enter a magical and tender wordless picture book about the world we live in and our ability to change it. The Boy and the Elephant is performed by musician Zoe Barry.

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from history

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators tells compelling stories that every Australian should know featuring incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander icons. Written by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai and read by Tamala Shelton.

The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name

Written by Sandhya Parappukkaran and illustrated by Michelle Pereira, The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name encourages readers to take up space and support each other with respect and kindness. When Zimdalamashkermishkada starts at a new school, it’s not until a new friend sees him for who he truly is that Zimdalamashkermishkada finds the confidence to step proudly into his long name. Read by Leah Vandenberg.