The Readings Children’s Prize is presented for the best new contribution to Australian children’s literature from an emerging author. And this year, The Girl Who Cried Bird (The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best, Book 2) (HarperCollins Australia) by Katherine Collette, is on the 2025 shortlist!

Readings staff judges for 2025 were Tamuz Ellazam (chair of judges; Readings Malvern), Bernard Caleo (Readings Carlton), Kim Gruschow (Readings St Kilda), and Celeste Perry (Readings Emporium).

The Girl Who Cried Bird is the second book in Collette’s debut children’s duology Alma T. Best (first book was Out of Bounds). It’s Bird Day in Alma’s town and her family is excited. Alma reluctantly attends with her two best friends and sees a rare, purple-bellied parrot, catapulting her to instant notoriety in this laugh-out-loud story of small-town politics and obsessive birders for ages 8+.

Readings Children’s Prize, Bernard Caleo had this to say about Collette’s novel; ‘Alma T. Best is a fabulous character: an awkward, “too-tall” middle child who often gets stuck with the worst pancake. So when she gets some fame by chance, of course she defends her title against all doubters, even when it leads her to make some wonky plans. Hilarious! Funny drawings, too!’

The 2025 prize winners will be announced on Friday 14 November as part of the A Day in Carlton festival! Congratulations, Katherine and to all on the shortlist!