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Derek : CBCA EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 SHORTLIST - Anne Donaldson

Derek

CBCA EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 SHORTLIST

By: Anne Donaldson, Matt Shanks (Illustrator)

Hardcover | 26 August 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover

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Derek was a fish with many questions.

Why is the universe round? Where do bubbles come from? Why does food rain down from above?

But the question Derek asked himself more than any other was: ‘Why am I alone?’

From new talent Anne Donaldson and bestselling illustrator Matt Shanks comes an adorable adventure about curiosity, courage and connection.

About the Author

If a writer, a lawyer and a scientist walked into a children's bookshop, that would be Anne Donaldson. Two not-so-small boys and one chocolate brown cat also claim Anne as their mother. When she's not creating children's stories, Anne gets to work at a university, where she helps inventors to bring cool, new technologies into the world. Anne has lived on four continents, in a stable, a chocolate factory and a church, and on a road named after the original 'nosey Parker'.

About the Illustrator

Matt Shanks is an internationally published and critically acclaimed author/illustrator of over twenty picture books, several of which have been awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books. Simplicity, humour and the art of the unseen are strong themes in his illustration work, and he works primarily in watercolour. Matt has collaborated with some of Australia's most loved writers including Jackie French, Peter Helliar and Jimmy Barnes. He is a two-time fellow of the May Gibbs' Children's Literature Trust and an Australian Literary and Numeracy Foundation ambassador. Matt lives on Boon Wurrung land with his partner and cat.

You Can Find This Book In

Kids & Children's BooksPicture Books & Early LearningPicture Books in GeneralPicture & Character BooksChildren, Teenagers & Young Adults (YA) FictionNature & Animal Stories for Children & TeenagersPicture StorybooksHumorous Stories for Children & TeenagersPersonal & Social IssuesSocial Issues for Children & TeenagersGeneral, Modern & Contemporary Fiction for Children & TeenagersFamily & Home Stories for Children & Teenagers

2026 CBCA Notables - Early Childhood

Derek : CBCA EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 SHORTLIST - Anne Donaldson

Derek

CBCA EARLY CHILDHOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 SHORTLIST

Hardcover

RRP $24.99

$21.75

13%
OFF

This product is categorised by