The project that started as a way to teach Colossians to kids in church more than a decade ago has taken home the nation’s major prize for Chrisitan literature.
The Epistles for Kids series by rector of Lakemba the Rev Matt Dodd and Thom Bransdon from St Mark’s, Sadleir has been awarded the 2026 Australian Christian Book of the Year.
The series features three books to date – 1 Peter, Philippians, and Colossians with Philemon – translated into language that’s accessible to children. Each book is accompanied by original illustrations that support and further explain the concepts in the letters.
“Thom and I are so thankful and honoured to receive this award,” Mr Dodd says. “We’re so glad to see the church recognising the need for our children to have richer and fuller access to God’s word for themselves.
“We want to open up the epistles for children all over the world, and we hope this award will help spur that work on. The epistles are windows into the most incredible church communities, full of brave apostles and church workers risking everything, and the joy of conversion for people of all backgrounds – all in the context of real ancient history.”
The project’s guiding principle has always been faithfulness to the biblical text and accessibility to young people, with Mr Dodd drawing from the original Greek for the text.
“We only use words that kids use in the schoolyard,” he says. “It’s a passion point for both of us that there are no generic images. Every illustration must help communicate the message on that page. We want to do everything we can to help kids gain access to the word of God.”
The project launched via Kickstarter in 2025, with support exceeding expectations in a number of weeks. The first print run sold out in a few months, and a second print run is expected to be available later this year.
The judges of the SparkLit Christian Book of the Year Awards appreciated the direct and plain language of the translation, and the illustrations that supplemented the words. Their comments asked one key question. “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?”
Mr Dodd is incredibly grateful to all those who have encouraged, supported and prayed for the project from the start. “To our families, friends, enthusiastic young readers – thank you! We’re working through Romans now and can’t wait to share it in 2027.”
The other books by Sydney Anglicans shortlisted for this year’s award included The Mythical Life of the Good Christian Girl by Polly Butterworth, Single Ever After by Dani Treweek, Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block by Phil Bray and Unshaken Allegiance by Patrick Parkinson.
