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Together, participants have raised over $1.26 million for childhood cancer research, a record-breaking year for Write a Book in a Day – turning 12 hours of creativity, teamwork and storytelling into vital support for research that could help change the future for children with cancer. This year, 18,050 writers took part across 2,473 teams, representing 577 schools and writing groups around Australia.
The National Best Book Honour Roll is below, complete with judge citations from National Best Book Judge, acclaimed author Will Kostakis!
National Best Book, Primary Winner – Ferret on the Loose, JS SMGS Team Yellow, Snowy Mountains Grammar School NSW
“An utterly charming story whose ever-increasing (but playful) stakes are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. The final line left me imagining Noodle’s next big adventure.”
National Best Book, Middle Winner – The Boy From The Streets. The Ten Tacos, Huntingtower School VIC
“The team has combined confident prose with illustrations to bring an almost Dickensian rags-to-riches story to life.”
National Best Book, Upper Winner – The Art of Humanity, Leave it to the Prose, Melville Senior High School WA
“A timely, well-written story about the encroachment of AI in our lives, and how we must strive to hold onto our humanity.”
National Best Book, Open Winner – Journey to Perlite, Story Stringers, Story Stringers SA
“Journey to Perlite balances engaging illustration and a fast-paced story, and the result is a book that draws in readers (not unlike how Grandpa and Sam are drawn into theirs).”
The National Best Illustrations Honour Roll is below, complete withcommentary from our Illustration Judges.
National Best Illustrations, Primary Winner – The Medal of Peace, AIA Team, Australian International Academy NSW
“Overall a very strong visual look and composition, making the story very dramatic. The emotions and poses of the character are well done and help elevate the story.The cover is fantastic and pulls the story together. Different art materials have been used well and suit the story.” - Ben Wood.
National Best Illustrations, Middle Winner – Two Tickets to Disaster, Roseville College Mangos, Roseville College NSW
“Very strong professional work that took it straight to the top, work that stands out isn’t afraid to be human and a little rough. Bright and colourful, engaging and beautiful. Though I could guess the influences of this style it is still original and unique enough to stand on its own. Others took on illustrating a book, this artist/s created a visual brand. Outstanding." - Angus Olsen
National Best Illustrations, Upper Winner – Cyan Trails, Sherlocked In, Perth Modern School WA
“Cute characters, fun images, beautiful line art, it was between this and another. However, I give it to Cyan Trials due to consistency of style and presenting something visually interesting and different that contributed to the story.” - Angus Olsen.
National Best Illustrations, Open Winner – Aw Rats!, Boom..Boom.. BOOM!, :) SA
“A witty and deft set of illustrations created to support the Write a Book in a Day project did so, invoking a sense of delight, and even a laugh-out-loud moment! In a watercolour style that leant into references, part futuristic, nearly steampunk, part anime, part 60’s hippy vibe, the illustrations suited and truly enhanced the story. It is easy to visualise an entire graphic novella in this style.” - Emma Mactaggart
To every student, teacher, coordinator, school, writing group, author, reader and supporter who helped make Write a Book in a Day 2026 possible – thank you. Together we showed what can happen when thousands of people use their creativity for a cause that matters. We cannot wait to see the stories you write for Write a Book in a Day 2027!
To view the full list of winners, including those from each state and territory, click here.
To view the Online Library, where all participating books are stored, click here.
