New Translation of the Epistles Named Australian Christian Book of the Year | Metaglossia: The Translation World | Scoop.it

New Translation of the Epistles Named Australian Christian Book of the Year


"A new translation making the New Testament epistles accessible to children has been named the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year, with judges calling the project "unprecedented".


The award was announced at the SparkLit Awards Night on Thursday 20 August, alongside the Australian Christian Teen Writer Award, won by Hanna Pheh for The Unintended Race.
The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award has recognised excellence in Christian writing since 1981 and carries a 3000 dollar prize for the winning author.
A children’s translation of the New Testament epistles has taken out the country’s top honour for Christian writing, with judges praising its ability to bring ancient Scripture to life for readers of all ages.


God’s Very Special Letters: The Epistles for Kids – covering Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and 1 Peter – has been named the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year. The announcement was made at the SparkLit Awards Night, held on Thursday 20 August at St Alfred’s Anglican Church in Blackburn North, Melbourne.


A fresh way into familiar Scripture
The book is a collaboration between Matt Dodd, a pastor at Lakemba Anglican Church, and illustrator and cartoonist Thom Bransdon, published through The Open Word.


Judges praised the translation for its direct, plain language, noting it’s “a joy to read” and that the accompanying illustrations advance the narrative, reflect the culture of the original readers, and keep people at the centre of complex theological ideas.


Judges called the project “unprecedented”, posing the question many readers may find themselves asking:


“This unprecedented and wonderful initiative makes these epistles accessible to children and offers older readers a fresh encounter with familiar and favourite parts of Scripture. Why hasn’t this been done before?”


Why the epistles, and why now
Speaking to Hope 103.2’s Ben McEachen last year, Matt explained the thinking behind the project and why it doesn’t take the easy road of simply paraphrasing an existing children’s Bible.


“There have been many attempts to translate the Bible into the language of children,” Matt said.


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“There also have been many attempts to adapt the message of the Bible into kids’ resources that look and feel like kids’ books. But there really hasn’t been an attempt to do both at the same time.”


Matt and Thom chose to begin with Philippians, Colossians and 1 Peter partly because the epistles can be overlooked as biblical texts for younger readers.


“The letters in the New Testament are windows on to the lives of real Christian people being transformed by the gospel, diverse communities of young and old coming together around Christ,” he said.


“We want to make books for children that are full of colour and adventure, because the Epistles are full of colour and adventure.”


For Matt, the goal goes beyond readability. He wants children to be able to encounter God’s word for themselves, without needing an adult to translate or explain it along the way.


“[They] can have a personal relationship with God without needing the help of adults,” he said.


“They can relate to God, from the word of God themselves, without barriers, stress or pressure. I can hear the voice of my heavenly Father; he can be my father; I can be his child. That’s the passion; that’s what is driving us.”


A night of celebration for Christian writers
The Australian Christian Book of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1981, recognising original writing by Australian citizens that contributes to Christian literature in Australia. The winning author receives a 3000 dollar prize, along with a framed certificate for both author and publisher.


This year’s shortlist of nine included a wide range of voices and genres, from Stan Grant’s reflections on faith and identity in Murriyang, to Jessica Claire Bond’s A King Washes Feet, an exploration of grace inspired by her popular footwashing series.


The same night also saw Hanna Pheh, from Mount Waverley in Victoria, awarded the 2026 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award for her novel The Unintended Race, which follows a young girl wrestling with questions of life, death, forgiveness and divine providence as her family comes to faith, set against the backdrop of 1980s Kuala Lumpur.


Encouraging the next generation of Christian writing
This year’s judging panel – Greg Clarke, Amy Isham and Grace Lung – read and assessed entries on their originality, literary style, design, and contribution to Christian writing in Australia.


Whether you’re after a fresh way to introduce your children to Scripture, or simply want to see familiar passages in a new light, God’s Very Special Letters is available now through The Open Word.


Congratulations to Matt Dodd, Thom Bransdon, Hanna Pheh, and everyone shortlisted this year."
By Hope 103.2
8 September, 2026
https://hope1032.com.au/books/new-translation-of-the-epistles-named-australian-christian-book-of-the-year/
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