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What if the journey to becoming tomorrow’s landcarer started with a story? 

The announcement of the 2026 shortlist for the Wilderness Society’s Karajia and Environment Awards for Children’s Literature is a timely reminder that books have the power to spark curiosity, nurture empathy and help children see themselves as part of the natural world. 

From koalas and wombats to rivers, reefs and Country, this year’s shortlisted titles celebrate Australia’s extraordinary landscapes, wildlife and First Nations knowledge through stories that inspire young readers to explore, ask questions and care for the places around them. 

At Landcare Australia, we know that fostering a connection with nature from an early age is one of the most powerful ways to grow future environmental stewards. That’s why initiatives like Junior Landcare encourage children to get outdoors, discover local biodiversity and take practical action to care for the environment. 

But every great outdoor adventure often begins indoors, curled up with a book. 

Stories that grow curiosity 

This year’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature shortlist showcases an incredible range of stories that bring Australia’s natural world to life. 

Whether it’s uncovering the fascinating science behind Wombat Poos Are Square, exploring wildlife highways in Creature Corridors, discovering the beauty of Ningaloo, following Find Me on the Coast, learning why One Koala, One Hundred Trees matters, or cheering on communities in Save the Gumtrees, each book offers children a different way to understand the living systems that support life. 

The Karajia Award shortlist also celebrates powerful First Nations storytelling, with books such as Animals on Country, Spirit of the Crocodile, Prayer for a River and How Big Is Love? sharing cultural knowledge, language and enduring connections to Country that can be carried across generations. 

As Nature Book Week Ambassador Jen Martin says: 

“Stories shape how children understand the world. They connect us to landscapes, to wildlife, and to the intricate living systems that sustain us.” 

It’s a sentiment that resonates strongly with the Landcare movement. 

Bringing stories to life through Junior Landcare 

Reading about nature is just the beginning. 

Junior Landcare helps children turn curiosity into action through hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom lessons with the environment outside their door. Whether they’re planting native species, creating habitat for wildlife, monitoring insects, improving school grounds or learning about healthy soils, children discover that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. 

These real-world experiences help build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging—showing young people they can play an important role in caring for their local environment. 

Read. Discover. Do. 

One way families, schools and community groups can continue that journey is through the Junior Landcare Bandicoot Book Club. 

The book club celebrates children’s books that encourage a love of nature while pairing reading with fun, practical activities that inspire young people to head outdoors and explore. It’s another way of helping children see that the stories they read can become adventures they experience themselves. 

Whether it’s spotting wildlife, growing native plants, building habitat or learning more about the ecosystems in their own backyard, books can be the spark that leads to lifelong care for nature. 

Growing the next generation of landcarers 

As Landcare Week reminds us each year, everyone can play a part in caring for the environment—and that includes our youngest Australians. 

By celebrating books that inspire wonder, curiosity and connection with Country, awards like these help plant the seeds for future generations who understand that healthy landscapes and healthy communities go hand in hand. 

Congratulations to all of the authors, illustrators and publishers shortlisted for the 2026 Karajia and Environment Awards for Children’s Literature. We look forward to celebrating the winners during Nature Book Week this October—and to seeing even more young readers discover stories that inspire them to experience, explore and care for the world around them. 

Looking for your next nature-inspired read? Explore the Junior Landcare Bandicoot Book Club for book recommendations and activities that help bring stories to life through hands-on learning and outdoor discovery.