Both of these authors were driven to write their debut children’s books through a personal experience that they wanted to share with a young audience. For one of them, it was time spent far away from home working in an orphanage that triggered the idea for the story, while the other took her drawing journal on a camping trip up the Glenelg River and from there decided to embark on her first graphic novel.

Meet Tamsin Janu and Trace Balla.

In these interviews, you’ll find out which scene in Figgy in the World is Tamsin Janu’s favourite, and learn how a keen birdwatcher helped shape Trace Balla’s Rivertime.

You can find our interview with Tamsin Janu here.

You can find our interview with Trace Balla here.

All 6 books on the shortlist are available to purchase in a special pack for a discounted price. You can find the pack here.

Last year’s winner was Julie Hunt with Song For A Scarlet Runner.

This is the second year of the Readings Children’s Book Prize, which was launched to find the best books for children aged 5-12 by new Australian authors. More details can be found