Introduction
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Awards 2025 have once again highlighted the richness of Australian children’s literature, with a special spotlight on the Younger Readers category. This year’s winner, Laughter Is The Best Ending by Maryam Master stood out for its humour, heart, and ability to capture the challenges and joys of growing up. Alongside honour books such as Aggie Flea Steals the Show! and Fluff: Mess Up!, the 2025 CBCA Younger Readers shortlist reflects the creativity and diversity shaping stories for middle-primary audiences. For Australia’s young readers, these books are more than just stories. They are companions that encourage empathy, resilience, and imagination.
| Aspect | Details |
| Title of the Book | Laughter is the Best Ending |
| Author | Maryam Master |
| Illustrator | Astred Hicks |
| Category | CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year 2025 (Winner) |
| Audience | Middle to upper primary (ages 8-12) |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 294 pages, Kindle Edition |
| Available at | https://www.amazon.com.au/Laughter-Best-Ending-Maryam-Master/dp/1761560131 |
Background and Significance
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Awards have been recognising excellence in Australian children’s literature since 1946, making them one of the most respected literary awards in the country. These awards celebrate books that entertain, educate, and inspire young readers, shaping the way children engage with stories and ideas.
In 2025, the Younger Readers category focused on books that reflect real-life challenges, humour, and emotional growth for middle-primary audiences (ages 8–12). Laughter Is the Best Ending by Maryam Master stood out as the winner for its relatable portrayal of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The book’s success is significant because it not only won the judges’ award but also resonated with children themselves, securing the shadow judging award, which reflects young readers’ own voices and choices.
The win highlights two key trends in contemporary Australian children’s literature: the rise of diverse voices, including immigrant authors like Master, and the continued importance of stories that balance humour with meaningful life lessons. For young readers across Australia, such books are more than entertainment—they are companions that help them navigate growing up with empathy, confidence, and imagination.
2025 CBCA Younger Reader Award: Winners & Highlights
In 2025, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) honoured exceptional works in children’s literature, with a special focus on the Younger Readers category. This category celebrates books that resonate with middle to upper primary students, typically aged 8–12, blending engaging narratives with meaningful themes.
Winner: Laughter Is the Best Ending by Maryam Master
The 2025 CBCA Younger Readers Award was bestowed upon Maryam Master for her novel Laughter Is the Best Ending, illustrated by Astred Hicks and published by Pan Macmillan Australia. The story follows Zee, a 13-year-old girl navigating the challenges of friendship and belonging during a five-day camp. Master’s narrative skillfully intertwines humour with heartfelt moments, offering young readers a relatable and uplifting experience.
Notably, Laughter Is the Best Ending also clinched the Shadow Judging Award, reflecting its widespread appeal among young readers themselves. This dual recognition underscores the book’s resonance both with literary critics and its intended audience.
Honour Books
In addition to the winner, the CBCA recognised two Honour Books in the Younger Readers category:
- Aggie Flea Steals the Show! by Tania Ingram, illustrated by Anne Yi
This humorous and adventurous tale captivates readers with its engaging storyline and vibrant illustrations. - Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton
A light-hearted and fun read, this book appeals to children with its playful narrative and relatable characters.
Significance of the 2025 Younger Readers Award
The 2025 Younger Readers Award highlights a continued emphasis on stories that blend humour with emotional depth, reflecting the diverse experiences of young Australians. These works not only entertain but also foster empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world among young readers.
Plot Overview of “Laughter is the Best Ending”
In “Laughter is the Best Ending” by Maryam Master, the story revolves around Zee, a 13-year-old loner with unique interests like reading Oscar Wilde and watching documentaries. Her parents decide to sent her to a five-day holiday camp to help her make at least one friend. However, Zee would rather take a bath in Tabasco sauce than attend the camp called Youth Fusion.
Things take a dramatic turn when the fearsome camp leader, Madam Augustus, declares a bonding game called “Murder in the Dark.” With the involvement of influencer Tiffanee and super-nerds Jonah and Moses, Zee finds herself in the middle of a hair-raising mystery. This mystery propels her into intense detective work, leading to a face-to-face encounter with the notorious Old Bat Viv.
As Zee navigates the challenges of camp life and unravels the mystery, she discovers the true meaning of friendship, teamwork, and embracing her quirks. With its blend of humor, suspense, and heart, “Laughter is the Best Ending” is a captivating tale that will resonate with readers of all ages. The book, categorized under Middle Grade, Humor, Childrens, Young Adult, and Friendship genres and promises readers a delightful reading experience.
Thematic Analysis
Laughter Is the Best Ending explores several important themes that resonate with young readers:
- Friendship and Belonging – The story shows how building friendships can be challenging but rewarding. Zee’s journey at camp teaches readers that everyone has their own way of connecting, and true friends accept each other’s quirks.
- Resilience and Confidence – Zee faces nervousness, self-doubt, and awkward moments, but she gradually learns to overcome them. The book encourages children to be brave in new situations and to keep trying even when things feel difficult.
- Humour and Positivity – Laughter is a central element of the story. By weaving humour into everyday struggles, the book teaches that looking for the lighter side can help cope with challenges and bring people together.
- Empathy and Understanding – Zee learns to see situations from others’ perspectives, which helps her navigate friendships and conflicts. The story subtly reinforces kindness and emotional intelligence, making it a thoughtful read for middle-primary readers.
- Diversity and Inclusion – Written by Maryam Master, who has an immigrant background, the story reflects different voices and experiences, reminding readers that everyone’s journey is unique and valuable.
Target Audience & Appeal
Laughter Is the Best Ending is perfect for middle to upper primary readers (ages 8–12). The story balances humour, relatable characters, and real-life challenges, making it highly engaging for children at this stage. Young readers can easily see themselves in Zee’s experiences, whether it’s feeling nervous in a new environment, trying to make friends, or learning to navigate social situations.
Parents and educators will also appreciate the book for its positive messages about resilience, empathy, and self-confidence. The humour keeps the story light and fun, while the meaningful lessons provide opportunities for discussion about emotions, friendship, and personal growth.
Overall, the book appeals to young readers because it is relatable, uplifting, and funny, while still offering thoughtful insights into growing up and understanding others.
Author & Illustrator Insights
Maryam Master, the author, brings a personal touch to the story. Having arrived in Australia as a child, her experiences of adjusting to a new culture and environment influenced the themes of belonging, friendship, and self-discovery in the book. Her storytelling is warm, witty, and deeply relatable for children navigating similar challenges.
Astred Hicks, the illustrator, complements the narrative with lively and expressive illustrations. The artwork adds energy and humour to the story, helping young readers visualize the camp adventures and connect more closely with the characters. Together, Master and Hicks create a book that is both visually engaging and emotionally resonant.
Useful Links and References
Purchase / Book Details:
- Amazon US (Paperback): Laughter Is the Best Ending
- Amazon US (Kindle/eBook): Laughter Is the Best Ending eBook
CBCA and Award Information:
Additional References / Reviews:
Good Reading Magazine – CBCA 2025 Shortlist
Aggie Flea Steals the Show!
| Aspect | Details |
| Title | Aggie Flea Steals the Show |
| Author | Tania Ingram |
| Illustrated by | Anne Yi |
| Category | Younger Readers category of the CBCA Children’s Book Awards 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher & Year | March 1, 2024 by Scholastic Australia |
| Print Length | 188 pages, Paperback |
| Available at | https://www.amazon.com.au/Aggie-Flea-Steals-Show/dp/176097630X |
About the Book
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Awards 2025 have once again highlighted the best in Australian children’s literature, celebrating stories that entertain and inspire young readers. In the Younger Readers category (ages 8–12), Aggie Flea Steals the Show! captured attention for its humour, adventure, and engaging storytelling.
Written by Tania Ingram and illustrated by Anne Yi, the book follows Aggie Flea, a spirited and mischievous character who loves to explore and cause a little chaos. As Aggie navigates various amusing situations, young readers are treated to a mix of funny mishaps, clever problem-solving, and lively illustrations that bring the story to life. The narrative is playful yet relatable, making it easy for children to connect with Aggie’s adventures.
Beyond the laughs and excitement, the book also delivers subtle messages about courage, creativity, and friendship. By celebrating a character who is both daring and kind-hearted, Aggie Flea Steals the Show! encourages children to embrace their individuality and take on new challenges, showing why it earned recognition as an Honour Book in the 2025 CBCA Younger Readers category.
Reader’s Reviews and Insights
1. Goodreads Community Feedback
On Goodreads, Aggie Flea Steals the Show! has garnered positive reviews, with readers appreciating its humour and engaging storyline. The book holds an average rating of 3.41 out of 5 stars, reflecting its appeal to young readers. Goodreads
2. ReadPlus Review
ReadPlus commends the book as “highly recommended,” emphasizing Aggie’s bubbly energy and the entertaining plot centered around the school play. The review appreciates the book’s ability to capture the essence of childhood imagination and the humorous mishaps that ensue. readplus.com.au
Fluff: Mess Up!
| Aspect | Details |
| Title | Fluff: Mess Up! |
| Author | Matt Stanton |
| Category | CBCA Early Childhood Book Awards 2025 (Honor Book) |
| Language | English |
| Publisher & Year | June 1, 2024 by ABC Books |
| Print Length | 138 pages, Kindle Edition |
| Target Audience | Early childhood readers (ages 0-6) |
| Available at | https://www.amazon.com.au/Fluff-Mess-Up-2-ebook/dp/B0CH5KRDTT |
Introduction
In the world of children’s literature, humour often plays a powerful role in sparking curiosity and making reading enjoyable. Among the 2025 CBCA Children’s Book Awards, Fluff Mess Up! by Matt Stanton stood out as an Honour Book in the Early Childhood category, capturing the attention of both young readers and judges. Its playful storyline and expressive illustrations remind us that sometimes mistakes are part of growing up and can even be fun.
About the Book
Fluff Mess Up! follows the mischievous adventures of Fluff, a lovable character who can’t seem to get things quite right. Whether it’s making a mess, causing a bit of chaos, or landing in silly situations, Fluff’s mistakes are both relatable and entertaining for little readers. The book is filled with humour, rhythm, and lively illustrations that keep children engaged while also offering a gentle message: it’s okay to mess up, because mistakes can lead to laughter and learning.
Matt Stanton, already popular for his Funny Kid series, brings his signature wit and child-friendly perspective to this picture book, making it a favourite for parents to read aloud and for children to enjoy again and again. With its balance of comedy and heart, Fluff Mess Up! celebrates the joy of imperfection, showing that being yourself flaws and all is the best way to grow.
Conclusion
The 2025 CBCA Children’s Book Awards once again highlight the vibrancy and diversity of Australian children’s literature. From Laughter Is the Best Ending in the Younger Readers category to Fluff Mess Up! earning recognition in Early Childhood, these stories remind us that books can both entertain and inspire. They help young readers laugh, reflect, and grow offering comfort, lessons, and joy along the way.
By celebrating books that blend humour with heart and imagination with meaning, the CBCA awards ensure that children across Australia have access to stories that not only capture their attention but also shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them. As the 2025 winners show, the future of storytelling for young readers is bright, inclusive, and full of laughter.
