About Us

The Australian Children’s Literature Alliance is an independent,  not-for-profit organisation founded in 2008 to champion and promote the transformational power of reading in the lives of young Australians. ACLA is a collegial and inclusive organisation with representation from all children's and young adult literature industry and community sectors.
 
  ACLA's mission is to:
  • promote the value, importance and transformational nature of reading
  • influence the reading habits of Australian families
  • raise the profile of books in the lives of children and young adults
  • champion the cause of young Australians’ reading in a consultative, collegial and inclusive way.

ACLA is currently in the process of establishing a Children's Laureate for Australia. Read more about the Children's Laureate project here.

 
  The current ACLA Board members are:
  • Bronwen Bennett (VIC) Chair
  • Malcolm Neil (VIC) CEO, Australian Booksellers Association
  • Paula Kelly (VIC) State Library of Victoria, representing the Centre for Youth Literature
  • Damian Morgan (TAS) Independent Bookseller, Stories Bookshop Launceston
  • Dyan Blacklock (SA) Convenor, Children’s Publishing Committee, Australian Publishers’ Association
  • Libby O’Donnell (NSW) Australian Publishers’ Association
  • Fiona Lange (SA) The Little Big Book Club
  • Ann James (VIC) Australian Society of Authors
  • Marj Kirkland (QLD) National President, Children’s Book Council of Australia
  • Val Noake (NSW) e:lit – the Primary English Teaching Association
  • Lesley Reece (WA)  Director, Fremantle Children's Literature Centre
ACLA and its projects are managed by Tina Lehnert, Project Officer.

 

You can contact ACLA here.
 
  
  This project has been assisted by the Australian Government  through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
 
 
 ACLA gratefully acknowledges the support of the State Library of Victoria.