Wilman, Ballardong Noongar author Isobel Bevis has won the Picture Fiction category at the Wilderness Society's Karajia Award for Children's Literature.

Awarded for her stunning book Nedingar: Ancestors, illustrated by Wudjari and Goreng Noongar woman Leanne Zilm, which celebrates the beauty of Country and family.

The awards, announced on Saturday, also saw a win in the non-fiction category for In my Blood it Runs by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson, Carol Turner and illustrated by Blak Douglas.

The Karajia Award, launched in 2022, honours First Nations storytellers sharing tales of connection to Country, language, and community.

Judges for this year's Karajia awards include previously shortlisted author Jasmine Seymour, educator Danae Coots, and academic and author Amy Thunig.

Ms Bevis said when she wrote Nedingar, it was to help her stay connected to family and culture during a time where she felt disconnected.

"Never did I give it a thought that it would win an award," she said.

"Winning the Karajia Award is the acknowledgement of what Nedingar is about, the reciprocal relationship Noongar people have with Country, the love and protection we get but also what we can give back to ensure Country is always here.

"Thank you to the Wilderness Society for the Award, I am thrilled my book about Country, language and Ancestors is being recognised. My Ancestors have guided me from the first words written to the Award I have won; they continue to look after me and it is something I know is truly special."

Ms Bevis was interviewed by National Indigenous Times when Nedingar: Ancestors was first nominated, saying she didn't set out to write a children's book, however after experiencing the difficulties of COVID-19 lockdowns and being separated from her parents and siblings, she decided to write the stories her nan shared with her as a child.

"She was an amazing lady, and I was privileged to live down the road from her for most of my young primary school days," Ms Bevis said.

She said she wanted kids to not just fall in love with Country, but also have "a sense of responsibility to look after it".

"I think the book will explain to kids, and also to parents, that Aboriginal people have this strong sense of connection and belonging to Country, and it's because that's where our ancestors sit," she said.

In my Blood it Runs is an adaptation of the documentary of the same name, which starred Dujuan as a 10-year-old, an Arrernte and Garrwa youth who, in 2019 at the age of 12, became the youngest person ever to address the UN Human Rights Council.

Now 17, he wrote in Indigenous X: "This book is about me and what I went through as a kid. It's about me as a kid, but it's for everyone in Australia to read."

The book's illustrator, Blak Douglas, was an Archibald finalist for his portrait of Dujuan.

On winning the non-fiction category, he said: "The Karajia Award is a tremendous achievement for this book as it furthers Dujuan's dream.

"The dream of his culture being learned in mainstream education and households."

There was also a win in the non-fiction category of the Environment Award for Children's Literature for the book The Trees, written by Tagalaka man Victor Steffensen and illustrated by his sister, Sandra Steffensen.

Mr Steffensen thanked the Wilderness Society for selecting The Trees.

"It is such an honour to have such an important story win this category and on behalf of respecting Country," he said.

The Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature, now in its 30th year, recognises books that inspire a love for nature—from the soil below to the canopy above.

Wilderness chief executive Matt Brennan said the book we read as children, shape who we become as adults.

"Stories can spark our greatest ideas and adventures, change the way we experience the world, and even help us establish our values," he said.

"It is through storytelling that big, often overwhelming, concepts like the climate crisis or habitat destruction can be understood and appreciated.

"That's why the Wilderness Society's Karajia and Environment Awards for Children's Literature are so important—they celebrate authors and illustrators who share stories that will shape the next generation."