The Children’s Book Council has announced its Children’s Book of the Year 2012 Shortlist.

Book of the Year: Older Readers

Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel by Michael Gerard Bauer

A Straight Line to my Heart by Bill Condon

The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky

The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner

Ship Kings: The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan

When We Were Two by Robert Newton

Book of the Year: Younger Readers

Crow Country by Kate Constable

Brotherband: The Outcasts by John Flanagan

Nanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie French

The Truth About Verity Sparks by Susan Green

The Golden Door by Emily Rodda

Bungawitta by Emily Rodda

Book of the Year: Early Childhood

The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland Ill. Freya Blackwood

Come Down, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett Ill. Lucia Masciullo

That’s Not a Daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey

The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen Ill. James Foley

No Bears by Meg McKinlay Ill. Leila Rudge

Rudie Nudie by Emma Quay

Picture Book of the Year

Look, a Book! by Freya Blackwood Text Libby Gleeson

The Dream of the Thylacine by Ron Brooks Text Margaret Wild

For All Creatures by Rebecca Cool Text Glenda Millard

A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham

No Bears by Leila Rudge Text Meg McKinlay

Flood by Bruce Whatley Text Jackie French

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

The Little Refugee by Anh & Suzanne Do Ill. Bruce Whatley

One Small Island: The Story of Macquarie Island by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch

Surrealism for Kids by Queensland Art Gallery

Bilby Secrets by Edel Wignell Ill. Mark Jackson

Fromelles: Australia’s Bloodiest Day at War by Carole Wilkinson

Playground by Nadia (Ed) Wheatley Ill. Ken Searle