Stories that push boundaries & reflect every child.
Gold Sponsor · 2026
Wheelers is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 ASLA DANZ Children's Book Award, celebrating diverse, inclusive children's literature across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The 2026 shortlist is here: three standout titles in each of the three categories, chosen from a 26-strong longlist. Every one available to discover and order through Wheelers.
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About the award
Launched in 2024, the DANZ Award — the Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Award — recognises and celebrates children’s books that push boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and honour diverse and marginalised people and communities.
It champions storytelling that is authentic and sensitively told — books that offer young readers mirrors of themselves, windows into other lives, and sliding doors into worlds they might never otherwise meet.
Diversity here can include disability, culture, class, LGBTQIA, race and religion — building empathy and understanding for children from all walks of life.
wheelers
Gold Sponsor · 2026
Driven by the belief that every child deserves a story, Wheelers supports libraries and schools to inspire communities through education, literacy and accessibility across Aotearoa and Australia.
As a Gold Sponsor, we’re helping put the most diverse, inclusive and boundary-pushing children’s books of 2026 into the hands of young readers — and making it genuinely easy for educators and librarians to discover, order and champion every title.
The judges have named their 2026 shortlist — nine standout books, three in every category, drawn from a 26-strong longlist. Every title available to order through Wheelers.
Bold, tender and visually rich — picture books that hold complex truths with a gentle hand and invite every child to see themselves on the page.
A Lemon for Safiya · Earth Speak · Filo’s Butterflies · My Cousins, My World · Train of Thought · The Truck Cat · Weaving Country
Shop the 2026 longlistAdventurous and heartfelt — stories for growing readers that widen the world and hold space for every kind of childhood.
A Lemon for Safiya · Earth Speak · Filo’s Butterflies · My Cousins, My World · Train of Thought · The Truck Cat · Weaving Country
Shop the 2026 longlistConfident, immersive reads — longer stories that champion authentic voices and let every reader find a door of their own.
A Lemon for Safiya · Earth Speak · Filo’s Butterflies · My Cousins, My World · Train of Thought · The Truck Cat · Weaving Country
Shop the 2026 longlistWhy it matters
Research across Australia and New Zealand still shows an overwhelming lack of diverse representation in children’s books. The DANZ Award shines a spotlight on authentic, inclusive storytelling — encouraging marginalised authors to keep writing, and helping educators and book-buyers stock stories that build empathy from the very first page.
For educators & librarians
Wheelers makes it quick and affordable to discover, order and protect the 2026 DANZ titles for your shelves.
Up to 30% off RRP on selected finalists to help schools and libraries stock up at the best prices.
SCIS cataloguing and quality book covering for only $1.55 incl GST each — helping you get finalist titles onto shelves quickly. Simply select it at checkout.
Up to 30% off RRP on selected titles to help you stock up at the best prices.
