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New Zealand Post & LIANZA Children's Book Awards & NZ Post Book Awards 2006
Literary Legends Mahy and Cowley Finalists
in the 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards
Books by two of New Zealand’s most revered children’s writers – Margaret Mahy and Joy Cowley – feature in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalist line-up.
Cowley’s Cowshed Christmas, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, and Mahy’s The Word Witch, edited by Tessa Duder and illustrated by David Elliot, are both finalists in the Picture Book Category.
But they are up against some stiff competition with other award-winning authors and highly creative newcomers battling it out for the top prizes in the country’s premier, annual children’s book awards.
The 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards judging panel convenor, Rosemary Tisdall commented that the overall quality of this year’s submitted books was outstanding and whittling the pile down to a final shortlist was a challenge.
‘It is very encouraging that even in a year of recession and the changing market for books, many publishers are still able to produce books of outstanding quality. This reflects the respect that is felt for the work of both authors and illustrators.’
A Te Reo Māori children’s book, Hū-Hū Koroheke, translated by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira, is a finalist in the Picture Book Category this year, as well as the original English language edition, Old Hu-Hu, written by Kyle Mewburn and illustrated by Rachel Driscoll.
The Awards’ Te Reo Māori Advisor, Paora Tibble said Hū-Hū Koroheke was an excellent translation from the “Super Nanny of te ao Māori.”
‘The text is descriptive and rich in terms of the kupu (words) used by the author. It could have been a ‘straight translation’, but the translator has created beautiful word pictures to complement the illustrations and it reflects the original English version,’ said Mr Tibble.
Many of the 20 finalist books reflect the essence of New Zealand: high country living, mud pools and geysers, the cowshed, gumboots and pavlovas. Other works give a taste of history, creatures, war and cyberspace. They were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2009 and submitted for the Awards.
Mrs Tisdall, a children’s literature consultant, is joined on the judging panel by writer and reviewer Trevor Agnew, and former journalist, now children’s bookshop co-owner, Ruth McIntyre. Together they will decide which book will take the New Zealand Post Children’s
Book of the Year prize and will choose winners from across the four categories: Picture Book,
Non-fiction, Junior Fiction and Young Adult Fiction. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 19 May.
The 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists are:
www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz: http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/nz-post-childrens-book-awards-2010-finalists-announced
Picture Book Category:
Cowshed Christmas by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll (Scholastic New Zealand)
Te reo edition: Hū-Hū Koroheke, translated by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Scholastic New Zealand)
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig Goes to Dad’s Cafe by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Word Witch by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by David Elliot and edited by Tessa Duder (HarperCollins Publishers)
Non-fiction Category:
Ben & Mark: Boys of the High Country by Christine Fernyhough, and John Bougen
(Random House New Zealand)
Dear Alison, edited by Simon Pollard (Penguin NZ)
E3 Call Home by Janet Hunt (Random House New Zealand)
Rangitoto by Maria Gill, illustrated by Heather Arnold (Puffin Books)
Willie Apiata, VC: The Reluctant Hero by Paul Little and John Lockyer (Puffin Books)
Junior Fiction Category:
Cry of the Taniwha by Des Hunt (HarperCollins Publishers)
Friends: Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)
The Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe (Longacre Press)
My Story: The Mine’s Afire! By Susan Battye and Thelma Eakin (Scholastic New Zealand)
Sting by Raymond Huber (Walker Books)
Young Adult Fiction Category:
Banquo’s Son by T.K. Roxborogh (Penguin NZ)
The Beginner’s Guide to Living by Lia Hills (Text Publishing)
Blood of the Lamb: The Crossing by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)
Brainjack by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)
End of the Alphabet by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
In selecting finalists, the judges consider points such as creative writing, use of language, impact, integrity, design and production values. Additional criteria for the Picture Book category include harmony between text and illustration. For the Non-fiction category the judges take into account integration of text, graphics, how illustrations were used to engage interest and enhance understanding, plus accuracy of data.
Finalists also compete for the coveted Children’s Choice Award, where kids, not the Awards’ judges, get to choose their favourite book. Voting for the Children’s Choice Award begins today. Long considered one of the highest accolades a children’s author can receive, children of school age from all over New Zealand vote on this Award. Voting can be placed online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz or by using the special voting card available from bookshops, libraries and schools. Voting closes at 5.00pm, Friday 30 April.
All winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony held in Auckland’s Town Hall on Wednesday 19 May.
Finalists will be participating in children’s book events around the country as part of a nationwide festival celebrating the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. The festivities begin on Monday 10 May and continue through to Wednesday 19 May.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards since 1997. Its partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New Zealand Post’s support of these Awards reflects their deep commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the country. Working closely with Booksellers NZ, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books. For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists in support of the annual Books in Homes programme.
The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers NZ.
Key dates:
4 March Children’s Choice Award voting opens
10-19 May New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards Festival week,
finalists on tour nationwide
19 May New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards winners announced
LIANZA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS – WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards were announced at an awards ceremony in Wellington this week.
The Esther Glen Award was established in 1944 and is presented to the author whose work is considered a distinguished contribution to fiction for children. This year the prize was presented to Wellington writer Fleur Beale for her young adult novel Juno of Taris (Random House). The judges said Beale “excels in descriptions of life as a feisty teenage girl. Juno is a remarkable character, the reader delights in her triumphs and commiserates in her disappointments.”
Dunedin-based author and illustrator Robyn Belton received the Russell Clark Award for Herbert: The Brave Sea Dog (Craig Potton Publishing). The Russell Clark Award was established in 1975 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to illustrated children’s books. The judges could imagine “librarians umming and ahhing about whether to place this book in the true story, non-fiction, or picture-book sections of the library. We thought the connectivity of text and illustration resonates with readers of all ages and the superb endpapers intrigue the reader. An entirely satisfactory and uplifting ending that touches all reader’s hearts.” Belton first won the Russell Clark Award in 1985 for The Duck in the Gun, written by Joy Cowley.
For the first time the Te Kura Pounamu Award has been won by a novel. Mihiroa by Peti Nohotima with illustrations by Misty (He Kupenga Hao I te Reo) caught the judge’s attention for its skill in capturing a teenage perspective. “From texting to teenage jealousy, from budding relationships to the intensity of sporting competition, one of the most captivating features is how the language is used to develop the characters and their interactions. The delightful line drawings add to the story’s attraction too.” This award was established in 1995 and celebrates works written in te reo Māori for children and young people.
Radio New Zealand host Veronika Meduna and science historian Rebecca Priestly were the recipients of the Elsie Locke Award for Non-fiction for Atoms, Dinosaurs and DNA (Random House). The judges noted that the book had developed out of a 2006 National Library science exhibition, and delighted in the insights it gives to the lives of the 68 New Zealand scientists profiled. “Did you know that entomologist George Hudson did his field work in a three-piece suit? Beneath his suit he wore head-to-toe pink woollen underwear. As librarians we knew that this book filled a gap in our collections.”
Together the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards celebrate the unique contribution New Zealand authors and illustrators make to our cultural heritage and national identity. Award recipients are selected from a shortlist of five titles and receive a medal or taonga and $1,000 prize money.
LIANZA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS – FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The LIANZA Children’s Book Award 2009 Finalists are:
LIANZA ESTHER GLEN AWARD (Fiction)
Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
Old Drumble by Jack Lasenby (HarperCollinsPublishers (New Zealand) Ltd)
The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner (Walker Books Australia)
The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi (Longacre Press)
Violence 101 by Denis Wright (Penguin New Zealand)
LIANZA RUSSELL CLARK AWARD (Illustration)
Every Second Friday by Kiri Lightfoot, Illustrated by Ben Galbraith (Hachette New Zealand)
Herbert by Robyn Belton (Craig Potton Publishing)
My Favourite Places by Martin Bailey (Mallinson Rendel)
Oliver Goes Exploring by Margaret Beames, Illustrated by Sue Hitchcock (Scholastic)
Roadworks by Sally Sutton, Illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books Australia)
LIANZA ELSIE LOCKE (Non Fiction)
Atoms, Dinosaurs & DNA by Veronika Meduna & Rebecca Priestley (Random House New Zealand)
Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young & Curious by Gregory O’Brien (Auckland University Press)
Juicy Writing by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)
Piano Rock by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
High-tech Legs on Everest by Mark Inglis with Sarah Ell (Random House New Zealand)
TE KURA POUNAMU (te reo Māori)
Mihiroa by Peti Nohotima (He Kupenga Hao i te Reo Ltd)
Nau te Rourou, Naku te Rourou by Rosalind and Waaka Vercoe (Huia Education)
Ko Maraea Me Nga Toroa by Patricia Grace, Illustrator Brian Gunson, Translator Waiariki Grace (Penguin NZ)
Toheroa by James Te Tuhi and Ross Gregory (Huia Education)
Hinemoa te Toa by Tim Tipene, Illustrator John Bennett, Translator Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira (Scholastic)
The LIANZA Esther Glen, LIANZA Elsie Locke, and LIANZA Russell Clark Award judges are: Belynda Smith (Panel Convenor), Takapuna Library Auckland; Pene Walsh, District Librarian Gisborne; and Colleen Shipley, Librarian Marlborough Girls College.
The Te Kura Pounamu Award judges are: Alice Heather (Panel Convener); National Library Auckland, Kathleen Tamaki, Manukau Public Libraries and Haromi Williams, The Library and Information Advisory Commission and Tuhoe Education Authority.
The 2009 Award Ceremony will take place in Wellington on Monday 10 August at Caffe L’affare, College Street. The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2009 are supported by Wheelers Books and Caffe L’affare.
De Goldi Wins Children’s Book of the Year, No Question About It
Kate De Goldi has won the country’s highest accolade in children’s and young adult writing; tonight she took the 2009 New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award for her novel, The 10pm Question.
The delightful tale of Frankie Parsons and his somewhat eccentric family and friends enchanted the judging panel, just as it captured the hearts of readers throughout the country, who have kept it on the bestseller lists for months.
New Zealand Post Book Awards judges’ convenor, Bill Nagelkerke says The 10pm Question has a rare quality.
‘De Goldi’s winning book invites you to become part of another family, to spend some quality time with its members, become engrossed in the family dynamics to the point that, when it’s time to leave, we very reluctantly shut the door on these new friends because we don’t wish to part from them, because this family has now become our family, too.
‘The judges predict, with reasonable confidence, that The 10pm Question will become an enduring classic. One could say in fact there was little to question about our choice of the 2009 New Zealand Post Book of the Year winner.’
The 10pm Question also took the Young Adult Fiction category prize at a gala ceremony held in the Auckland Museum this evening.
The judging panel which also included career-bookseller, Jenni Keestra and children’s writer and reviewer, Rosemary Tisdall, said they thoroughly relished the opportunity to read nearly everything that was published for New Zealand children and young adults in 2008.
‘We applaud the authors, illustrators and their publishers for continuing to strive for stories that stimulate, excite, take risks, inspire and, ultimately, become part of the fabric of a reader’s memory. The importance of an early engagement with books, stories and reading, cannot be underestimated.
‘We recognise stalwart veterans of the art and craft of writing and illustrating and celebrate the emergence of new voices whose words and images will ensure that writing for children and young adults in this country remains in fine shape for the foreseeable future.’
The category winners and the honour award recipient in the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are:
Picture Book
Roadworks written by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Brian Lovelock. (Walker Books).
Honour Award
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig written by Diana Neild and illustrated by Philip Webb. (Scholastic New Zealand).
Non-fiction
Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young & Curious by Gregory O’Brien (Auckland University Press).
Junior Fiction
Old Drumble by Jack Lasenby. (HarperCollins Publishers).
Best First Book Award
Violence 101 by Denis Wright. (Penguin Group New Zealand).
Young Adult Fiction and New Zealand Post Book of the Year
The 10pm Question by Kate De Goldi. (Longacre Press).
Children’s Choice Award
The Were-Nana written by Melinda Szymanik and illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic New Zealand).
The winner of each category was awarded with $7,500. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award took home an extra $7,500. The winner of the Best First Book and the Children’s Choice Award received prize money of $2,000 each.
An honour award was presented in the picture book category this year. This award is discretionary and is awarded in recognition of particular features in a book. The honour award recipient received a monetary award of $500.
Storylines Notable Books List 2009
The Storylines Notable Books List was established in 2000 to reflect the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand authors and illustrators. The list is selected by a panel made up from the Storylines community, of current children's literature professionals. The panel meets regularly throughout the year to discuss recently published books and the following have been selected as notable, from New Zealand children's books published in 2008.
Picture Books 2009
Herbert, the Brave Sea Dog by Robyn Belton (Craig Potton Publishing)
The Apple by Ben Brown, illustrated by Tracy Duncan (Puffin)
Kei te Pehea Koe?: How Do You Feel? by Tracy Duncan (Puffin)
Every Second Friday by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children's Books)
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb (Scholastic),
The Seven Stars of Matariki by Toni Rolleston-Cummins, illustrated by Nikki Slade-Robinson (Huia)
Roadworks by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books)
The Were-Nana by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic)
Junior Fiction 2009
Five (and a Bit) Days in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford by Val Bird, illustrated by Rebecca Cundy (Random House)
Night Hunting by Deborah Burnside, illustrated by Jeff Fowler (Puffin)
Big Fish, Little Fish by Melanie Drewery (Raupo)
Payback by Michelle Kelly (Scholastic)
Old Drumble by Jack Lasenby (HarperCollins)
Thornspell by Helen Lowe (Alfred A. Knopf)
Land of Promise: The Diary of William Donahue, Gravesend to Wellington, 1839-40 [My Story] by Lorraine Orman (Scholastic)
"Why I Hate School" by Michael Fatarsky by Kris Stanhope (Scholastic)
Freaky Fish by Feana Tu'akoi, illustrated by Eleanor Meecham [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin)
Young Adult Fiction 2009
Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale (Random House)
The 10pm Question by Kate De Goldi (Longacre Press)
The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)
Scorched Bone by Vince Ford [Chronicles of Stone, Book 1] (Scholastic)
Gool by Maurice Gee (Puffin Books)
Shadow of the Mountain by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
Non-fiction 2009
Piano Rock: A 1950s Childhood by Gavin Bishop (Random House)
High-tech Legs on Everest by Mark Inglis with Sarah Ell (Random House)
Let's Get Art: Children Look at Contemporary New Zealand Art by Brad Irwin, illustrated by John Ward Knox (Random House)
Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers by Brigid Lowry (Allen and Unwin)
Atoms, Dinosaurs & DNA: 68 Great New Zealand Scientists by Veronika Meduna & Rebecca Priestley (Random House)
Back and Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious by Gregory O'Brien (Auckland University Press)
Learn to Skateboard with Luka - Ko te Akonga ki te Papa Retireti I te Taha o Luka by Lee and Errol Petra, translation by Tokikapu Peta (Raupo)
How to Make a Piupiu by Leilani Rickard (Raupo)
Find more information at www.storylines.org.nz
Children’s Book Awards Reveal Major New Talent
Emerging authors and illustrators battle it out with our long-time writing heroes in the nation’s most prestigious children’s book awards this year.
Announced today, the finalists in the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults include names loved by generations of Kiwis including Joy Cowley, Maurice Gee and Jack Lasenby. Alongside them are some exciting new talent in New Zealand children’s literature, admired by the judges for their humour and creativity.
‘The wide range of themes, places and times represented in this year’s selection are a fantastic snapshot of who we are as Kiwis and as a nation. There are rhyming stories that feature animals; humorous yet thought-provoking contemporary fiction; stories that look forwards as well as backwards, as far back as pre-history; science fiction, fantasy and realism.
‘All these great books offer New Zealand children and young adults a veritable feast of challenging, stimulating and engrossing reading, as well as fresh, new ways of looking at the world,’ says New Zealand Post Book Awards judges’ convenor, Bill Nagelkerke.
The finalists were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2008 and submitted for the awards.
Nagelkerke, a past New Zealand Post finalist and former children’s librarian is joined on the judging panel by children’s editor and career bookseller, Jenni Keestra and children’s literature reviewer and librarian, Rosemary Tisdall. Together they will decide which author will earn the New Zealand Post Book of the Year prize and will choose winners from across the four categories. Winners will be announced on 20 May.
The finalists in the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards are:
Picture Book
Duck’s Stuck! Written by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Scholastic New Zealand)
Every Second Friday written by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children’s Books)
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig written by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb (Scholastic New Zealand)
Roadworks written by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books)
The Were-Nana written by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic New Zealand)
Non-fiction
Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young & Curious
by Gregory O’Brien (Auckland University Press)
The Crafting of Narnia: The Art, Creatures, and Weapons from Weta Workshop
by Weta Workshop, Paul Tobin and Daniel Falconer (HarperOne)
High-Tech Legs on Everest by Mark Inglis with Sarah Ell (Random House New Zealand)
Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers by Brigid Lowry (Allen and Unwin)
Piano Rock: A 1950s Childhood by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Junior Fiction
Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley, illustrated by David Elliot (Puffin)
Enemy at the Gate by Philippa Werry (Scholastic New Zealand)
Five (and a bit) Days in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford written by Val Bird,
illustrated by Rebecca Cundy (Random House New Zealand)
Old Drumble by Jack Lasenby (HarperCollins Publishers)
Payback by Michelle Kelly (Scholastic New Zealand)
Young Adult Fiction
The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi (Longacre Press)
Chronicles of Stone #1, Scorched Bone by Vincent Ford (Scholastic New Zealand)
Gool by Maurice Gee (Puffin)
Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
The Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)
In selecting finalists, the judges consider points such as creative writing, use of language, impact, integrity, design and production values. Additional criteria for the Picture Book category include harmony between text and illustration. For the Non-fiction category the judges take into account integration of text, graphics, how illustrations were used to engage interest and enhance understanding, plus accuracy of data.
Finalists also compete for the coveted Children’s Choice Award; where kids, not the awards’ judges, get to choose their favourite book. Voting for the Children’s Choice Award begins today. Long considered one of the highest accolades a children’s author can receive, this award is voted on by children of school age from all over New Zealand. Voting can be carried out online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz or by using the special voting card available from bookshops, libraries or schools. Voting closes at 5.00pm, Friday 1 May.
All winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held at Auckland Museum on Wednesday 20 May.
Finalists will be participating in children’s book events around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of the New Zealand Post Book Awards. The festivities begin on Monday 11 May and continue through to Wednesday 20 May.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post
Finalists for 2008 LIANZA Children's Book Awards Announced
These unique awards, judged by a panel of librarians and showcasing the expertise of the library and information profession, celebrate New Zealand authors and illustrators and are presented for excellence in literature, illustration, non-fiction and Te Reo Māori.
The judges were so impressed with the high standard of entries for New Zealand’s longest established book prize, the Esther Glen Award (established in 1945), that they have included six finalists.
Convenor of the judging panel Bob Docherty says, “Some of New Zealand's best ever children's fiction writers have books in the top six along with some outstanding new writers. The finalists show a good balance of genres from fantasy to adventure realism, science fiction, social realism and humour. “
Esther Glen Award (Fiction)
Salt by Maurice Gee (Penguin New Zealand)
Losing it by Sandy McKay (Longacre Press)
Smashed by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)
The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
The Dumpster Saga by Craig Harrison (Scholastic New Zealand)
Time of the Eagle by Sherryl Jordan (Simon & Schuster)
When arriving at the shortlist for the Russell Clark Award the judges asked themselves the important question "would a child pick this title up and read it?" Docherty says, “The finalists in this category display a range of illustrative techniques that are a credit to New Zealand literature in the way they reflect Kiwi culture and we believe the titles named are the very best of New Zealand picture books”.
Russell Clark Award (Illustration)
Dad's Takeaways by Melanie Drewery, Illustrated by Christopher White (Mallinson Rendel)
Willy's Dad by Scott Tulloch (Harper Collins)
Rats! by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Te Po Roa by Andrew Burdan (Huia Education)
Tahi, One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, Illustrated by John O'Reilly & Ali Teo (Random House New Zealand)
The Elsie Locke Award was established in 1986 and was previously called the LIANZA Young People’s Non-fiction Award. The shortlist this year reflects a number of concerns for New Zealand such as climate change and rubbish recycling while appealing to the young artist, the historian and the junior scientist.
The whole “What is a …” series has been nominated because no one title in the series could be isolated as any better than the others.
Elsie Locke Award (Non Fiction)
What is a .....? (series - Amphibian/Bird/Reptile/Mammal/Fish) by Feana Tuákoi (Scholastic New Zealand)
Rubbish by Rachael Goddard (Raupo Publishing)
Weather Watch New Zealand by Sandra Carrod (Raupo Publishing)
Draw New Zealand Birds by Heather Arnold (Raupo Publishing)
The Illustrated History of Antarctica by Marcia Stenson (Random House New Zealand)
The Te Kura Pounamu Judges were very excited with the number of entries and said the calibre of Te Reo language was excellent.
Te Kura Pounamu (Te Reo Māori)
A-Kara-Ka-Ru-Ra by Charisma Rangipuna (Huia Publishers, Ministry of Education)
Kai Ora! 2 – Putaiao (series) by Kararaina Uatuku, Che Wilson and Hana O'Regan (Hana Ltd)
Kai Ora! 2 - Tikanga a-Iwi (series) by Kararaina Uatuku, Che Wilson, Hana Pomare and Charisma Rangipuna (Hana Ltd)
Te Haeata (The Dawn) by Mike Davey (Raupo Publishing)
Te Wheke-a-Muturangi by Lee Watt (Hana Ltd)
The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards are judged by two extremely skilled panels bringing an invaluable depth of knowledge and experience in New Zealand children’s literature and libraries.
The Esther Glen, Elsie Locke, and Russell Clark Award judges are: Bob Docherty (Panel Convenor), National Library, Christchurch; Belynda Smith, Takapuna Library, Auckland; Rosemary Tisdall, National Library, Auckland.
The Te Kura Pounamu Award judges are: Eddie Neha (Panel Convener), Te Rōpū Whakahau; Alice Heather, National Library Auckland; and Mate Colvin, Manukau City Libraries.
Doyenne of Children’s Writing Wins Top Award
Joy Cowley has won the New Zealand Post Book of the Year prize for her novel, Snake and Lizard.
The delightful tale of give-and-take friendship was illustrated by internationally renowned Christchurch illustrator, Gavin Bishop.
New Zealand Post Book Awards 2008 judges’ convenor, Dylan Owen says Snake And Lizard brings together the best of New Zealand writing and illustration that deserves a readership beyond its intended audience.
‘Cowley’s book impressed the judges with its assured writing, humour and gentle, unforced observations on the nature of friendship.
‘Both witty and wise these timeless stories are an utter joy. They make you laugh, sigh and read all over again.’
The judging panel comprising Mr Owen, who is national advisor for the National Library’s schools collection, writer and illustrator, Fifi Colston and award-winning novelist, Vince Ford also noted that complementing the writing were the book’s superb production values.
‘From dust cover to endpapers and Gavin Bishop’s exquisitely detailed illustrations that added another rich dimension to both the book’s characters and its American South West setting.’
The award was presented to Joy Cowley’s husband, Terry Coles in Mrs Cowley’s absence, and Gavin Bishop at the Wellington Town Hall today by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark.
Joy Cowley was unable to attend the awards because of a long-standing engagement to present writing workshops for the Ministry of Education in Singapore.
She said in a speech read by her husband that she remembered a time when writing for children was considered to be the occupation of people who had failed at adult writing.
‘The New Zealand Post Book Awards… have given children’s literature in this country rightful status. Clearly this is good for the authors of children’s books; but I believe that the greater benefit goes to the children of Aotearoa.
‘The award validates them as readers who have their own authority and who are deserving of standards of excellence.
‘From this compulsory distance I send my sincere thanks, New Zealand Post, on the behalf of our beautiful tamariki.’
The category winners and honour awards recipients in the New Zealand Post Book Awards 2008 are:
Picture Book
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly (Random House New Zealand)
Honour Award: To The Harbour written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer (Lopdell House Gallery)
Non Fiction
Which New Zealand Spider? By Andrew Crowe. (Penguin New Zealand)
Honour Award: Reaching The Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen (Penguin New Zealand)
Junior Fiction and New Zealand Post Book of the Year
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop. (Gecko Press)
Young Adult
Salt by Maurice Gee. (Penguin New Zealand)
Honour Award: The Sea-Wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
Best First Book Award
Out of The Egg written and illustrated by Tina Matthews. (Walker Books)
Children’s Choice Award
The King’s Bubbles by Ruth Paul (Scholastic)
The winner of each category was awarded with $7,500. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award takes home an extra $7,500. The winner of the Best First Book and the Children’s Choice Award receive prize money of $2,000 each. The honour awards were presented in three categories this year. These awards are discretionary and are awarded in recognition of particular features in each book. For the first time this year, all honour award recipients received a monetary award of $500.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults since 1997. Its partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New Zealand Post’s support of these awards reflects their deep commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the country. Working closely with Booksellers New Zealand, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books. For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists by supporting the Books in Homes programme each year.
The New Zealand Post Book Awards are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers New Zealand.
Hillary Book Finalist in Youth Literary Awards
A book profiling the life of the famed Mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary is a finalist in this year's New Zealand Post Book Awards.
The book, Reaching the Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen, was selected as a finalist before Sir Edmund's death.
Battling emotions, braving the elements and blowing bubbles are just a few of the themes featured among the finalists of the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Award’s For Children and Young Adults.
Announced today, Awards’ judges convenor, Dylan Owen says many of the characters’ journeys in the 20 finalist books saw them striving against the elements in parallel with their own emotional struggle.
‘There is also a compelling range of writing styles with both female and male protagonists with a wide range of geographical variances from the Mid West to Everest.’
Mr Owen, who is national advisor for the National Library’s schools collection joins writer and illustrator, Fifi Colston and award-winning novelist, Vince Ford on this year’s judging panel.
Double nominees are also a feature in this year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards.
Three of this year’s finalists – Andrew Crowe, Gavin Bishop and Melanie Drewery - have more than one shortlisted book.
‘This shows a full time commitment to writing,’ says the judging panel.
The finalists in the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards are:
Picture Book
The King’s Bubbles by Ruth Paul (Scholastic New Zealand)
Out of the Egg, written and illustrated by Tina Matthews (Walker Books)
Rats! Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Random House New Zealand)
To the Harbour, written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer (Lopdell House Gallery)
Non fiction
A Mini Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Land Birds by Andrew Crowe, illustrated by Dave Gunson (Penguin New Zealand)
Reaching the Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen (Penguin New Zealand)
Weather Watch New Zealand by Sandra Carrod, illustrated by Karsten Schneider and Richard Gunther (Reed New Zealand)
What is a Fish? By Feana Tu’akoi, designed by Vasanti Unka (Scholastic New Zealand)
Which New Zealand Spider? By Andrew Crowe (Penguin New Zealand)
Junior Fiction
Dead Dan’s Dee by Phyllis Johnston (Longacre Press)
The Dumpster Saga by Craig Harrison (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Mad Tadpole Adventure by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic New Zealand)
My Story Sitting on the Fence: The Diary of Martin Daly, Christchurch 1981 by Bill Nagelkerke (Scholastic New Zealand)
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)
Young Adult Fiction
Salt by Maurice Gee (Penguin New Zealand)
The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)
The Transformation of Minna Hargreaves by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
Zillah by Penelope Todd (Longacre Press)
The finalists were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2007 and submitted for the awards.
The judges were asked to consider points such as creative writing, use of language, impact, integrity, design and production values. Additional criteria for the Picture Book category include harmony between text and illustration. For the Non Fiction category the judges were also asked to take into account integration of text, graphics, how illustrations were used to engage interest and enhance understanding, plus accuracy of data.
Voting for the Children’s Choice Award also begins today. Long considered one of the highest accolades a children’s author can receive, this award is voted on by children of school age from all over New Zealand. Children are encouraged to read then place their vote, selecting from the twenty finalist titles in this year’s awards. Voting can be carried out online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz or by using the special voting card available from bookshops, libraries or schools. Voting closes at 5.00pm, Thursday, 1 May.
Finalists will be participating in children’s book events as part of a nationwide celebration of the New Zealand Post Book Awards. The festivities begin on Monday 12 May and continue through to the awards on Wednesday 21 May when the winners will be announced. A full list of touring writers will be announced mid-March.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults since 1997. Its partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New Zealand Post’s support of these awards reflects their deep commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the country. Working closely with Booksellers New Zealand, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books. For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists by supporting the Books in Homes programme each year.
The New Zealand Post Book Awards are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers New Zealand.
2008 NEW ZEALAND POST BOOK AWARDS JUDGES ANNOUNCED
This year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards judges are Dylan Owen, Fifi Colston and Vince Ford. They are already predicting stimulating debates on not only the books but the issues and concerns of young adults nationally.
“Being a judge in the New Zealand Post Book Awards gives us the rare opportunity to take a snap shot of not only children’s literary history but also of the concerns and issues of young adults seen through the eyes of writers at this time. That is exciting,” Judging Convenor Dylan Owen says.
Dylan Owen works for the National Library as its National Advisor for the Schools Collection in Wellington and was a judge in the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards. He is actively engaged in promoting, presenting and writing on aspects of New Zealand children’s literature and other resources. He is also the Picture Book Reviewer for The Dominion Post and has written for the School Journal.
Fifi Colston is actively involved in the book industry as an illustrator of more than 28 children’s books. She is the current convener of the Wellington Children’s Book Association, illustration tutor, junior novelist, poet, columnist, and the kid’s art and crafts presenter on TV One’s Good Morning Show. She also has a strong involvement with the annual Storylines Festival, both as a committee member and as a touring author and illustrator. Her two pre-teen novels, Verity’s Truth and Janie Olive are published by Scholastic, with a third due for release in April 2009.
Vince Ford has been writing full time for more than five years and it has paid off. His book Boyznbikes was a finalist in the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards and his first book 2Much4U won the Best First Book and Junior Fiction category at the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2000. Other books to his credit include It’s a Try, Somuch2do, The Dare Club, Possums2U, and A Handful of Blue. Vince lives just out of Gisborne with his wife Andrea.
The 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists will be announced on February 26. Voting for the popular Children’s Choice Award begins after this announcement, where children and teenagers will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite of the finalist titles.
BERNARD BECKETT WINS THE ESTHER GLEN AWARD
Wellington writer and teacher Bernard Beckett received New Zealand’s oldest book prize, The Esther Glen Award, at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony in Rotorua. The Esther Glen Award was established in 1944 and is given to the author who is considered to have made the most distinguished contribution to literature for children. The prize was presented to Beckett for his young adult science fiction book, Genesis: a novel (Longacre Press). The judges described Beckett’s book as “one of the most thought-provoking and intellectually challenging novels ever written for older New Zealand children.”
Gisborne based author and illustrator Ben Galbraith received The Russell Clark Award for his sophisticated picture book The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff (Hodder/Hachette Livre). The Russell Clark Award was established in 1975 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to illustrated children’s books. This is 27 year old Galbraith’s first book. The judges described The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff as “an innovative and magnificent contribution to New Zealand literature.”
Leon Davidson is the winner of The Elsie Locke Award for his second book Red Haze: Australians & New Zealanders in Vietnam (Black Dog Books). In addition to writing, Davidson is also training in Wellington to become a teacher. The Elsie Locke Award was established in 1986 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people. The judges described Davidson’s depiction of the Vietnam War as “gripping, illuminating and moving.”
Well known artist Robyn Kahukiwa is the winner of the Te Kura Pounamu for her book Matatuhi (Puffin/Penguin Books), translated by Kiwa Hammond. The Te Kura Pounamu was established in 1995. It celebrates a work in te reo Māori that promotes excellence in library resources in Māori and makes a distinguished contribution to literature for children and young people. The judges described Matatuhi as “a remarkable piece of storytelling with exceptional illustrations which should become a New Zealand classic.”
These awards celebrate the unique contribution made to cultural heritage and national identity by New Zealand authors and illustrators. Each award consists of a medal or taonga and $1,000 prize money.
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR LIANZA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
The Shortlist is:
The Esther Glen Award.
The Whizbanger that Emmental Built by Reuben Schwarz (Puffin Books)
Genesis: A Novel by Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press)
Face It by Denis Martin (Puffin Books)
Thor's Tale: Endurance & Adventure in the Southern Ocean by Janice Marriott (HarperCollins)
The Assassin of Gleam by James Norcliffe (Hazard Press)
Billy: A Lolly Leopold Story by Kate de Goldi (Trapeze)
The Elsie Locke Award
Previously known as the LIANZA Young People’s Non-fiction Award:
Winging it!: The Adventures of Tim Wallis by Neville Peat (Longacre Press)
Red Haze: Australians & New Zealanders in Vietnam by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)
Birds-Eye View: Through the Eyes of New Zealand Birds by Maria Gill (Puffin Books)
Illustrated History of the South Pacific by Marcia Stenson (Random House)
Nature Kids: Kakapo by Rod Morris (Reed Children’s Books)
The Russell Clark Award
This award is for excellence in children’s book illustration:
Three Fishing Brothers Gruff by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children’s Books)
Kiss Kiss Yuck Yuck by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly (Scholastic)
Greedy Cat and Sneeze by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Scholastic)
Shut the Gate by Elizabeth Pulford, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic)
Riding the Waves: Four Maori Myths written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House)
Te Kura Pounamu
This award goes to a book that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to literature for children or young people in te reo Māori and promotes excellence of library resources in Māori.
Matatuhi by Robyn Kahukiwa, translated by Kiwa Hammond (Puffin Books)
Rēkohu, taku kāinga e by Hannah Rainforth (Huia)
Whakaeke i ngā ngaru by Gavin Bishop, translated by Katerina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Random)
Tēnei Mea te Pōhā Tītī by Graham Metzger and Hana Pōmare (H.A.N.A. Ltd)
Te Tui by Sue Corkill and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru;
Te Pūkeko by Eriata Nopera and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru;
Te Kererū by Sue Corkill and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru; and
Te Tīrairaka by Sue Corkill, Niwa Short, and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru (Series) (Huia)
WINNERS ANNOUNCED TOMORROW FOR NATIONAL SCHOOLS POETRY AWARD
The wait is almost over for finalists in the New Zealand Post National Schools Poetry Award. The finalists will find out tomorrow at a ceremony at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington who has won. Themed ‘Liberate your Words,’ this year’s competition has been judged by award winning New Zealand poet Andrew Johnston.
Andrew Johnston says he was astonished by the range of tones and voices that came across the ten very different poems.
“In every case their energy and curiosity leapt out at me, and sometimes their imperfections make them much more interesting than poems that are polished but predictable. I'm confident the authors have what it takes to write even better poems, and it's exciting to imagine what they might go on to do."
The competition was open to all Year 12 and 13 students attending New Zealand secondary schools.
This is the first time the competition has offered the prize for a shortlisted poem to be recorded by Black Seeds
performer Barnaby Weir. The song will be performed, distributed to radio stations and made available for free
download on iTunes and Digirama.
The overall competition winner will take away a $500 cash prize and a $500 grant to their school library. All ten finalists will have their expenses paid to attend a poetry masterclass at Victoria University in Wellington, and receive a package of Booksellers tokens. Prizes also include literary subscriptions from New Zealand Society of Authors, Landfall, Sport and the New Zealand Book Council.
This is the first year New Zealand Post has supported the competition, which is run by Victoria University’s
International Institute of Modern Letters.
The finalists:
Zoe Newman, Year 13, Dargaville High School – Something less than nothing (but still I kiss you silver)
Laura Lincoln, Year 12, Karamu High School, Hastings So here we are
Michaela Ball, Year 13, Cashmere High School, Christchurch – Scarlet Lips
Chloë Nannestad, Year 12, Epsom Girls Grammar, Auckland – Mosaic
Alisha Vara, Year 13, Rangi Ruru Girls School, Christchurch, lifetime(s)
Sam Wells, Year 12, Wellington College – Lazy Boy
Sue Mun Huang, Year 12, Karamu High School, Hastings – Father, Ph.D
Michael Trigg, Year 13, Wellington College – Act One
Sarah Zydervelt, Year 12, Nayland College, Nelson – A Leaving Message (for Eriko)
Shannyn Boyd, Year 12, Hutt Valley High School, Lower Hutt – The Pact
The New Zealand Post National Schools Poetry Award is supported by the New Zealand Book Council,
Booksellers New Zealand, the New Zealand Society of Authors, and Sport and Landfall.
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR LIANZA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
The Shortlist is:
The Esther Glen Award.
The Whizbanger that Emmental Built by Reuben Schwarz (Puffin Books)
Genesis: A Novel by Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press)
Face It by Denis Martin (Puffin Books)
Thor's Tale: Endurance & Adventure in the Southern Ocean by Janice Marriott (HarperCollins)
The Assassin of Gleam by James Norcliffe (Hazard Press)
Billy: A Lolly Leopold Story by Kate de Goldi (Trapeze)
The Elsie Locke Award
Previously known as the LIANZA Young People’s Non-fiction Award:
Winging it!: The Adventures of Tim Wallis by Neville Peat (Longacre Press)
Red Haze: Australians & New Zealanders in Vietnam by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)
Birds-Eye View: Through the Eyes of New Zealand Birds by Maria Gill (Puffin Books)
Illustrated History of the South Pacific by Marcia Stenson (Random House)
Nature Kids: Kakapo by Rod Morris (Reed Children’s Books)
The Russell Clark Award
This award is for excellence in children’s book illustration:
Three Fishing Brothers Gruff by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children’s Books)
Kiss Kiss Yuck Yuck by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly (Scholastic)
Greedy Cat and Sneeze by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Scholastic)
Shut the Gate by Elizabeth Pulford, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic)
Riding the Waves: Four Maori Myths written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House)
Te Kura Pounamu
This award goes to a book that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to literature for children or young people in te reo Māori and promotes excellence of library resources in Māori.
Matatuhi by Robyn Kahukiwa, translated by Kiwa Hammond (Puffin Books)
Rēkohu, taku kāinga e by Hannah Rainforth (Huia)
Whakaeke i ngā ngaru by Gavin Bishop, translated by Katerina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Random)
Tēnei Mea te Pōhā Tītī by Graham Metzger and Hana Pōmare (H.A.N.A. Ltd)
Te Tui by Sue Corkill and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru;
Te Pūkeko by Eriata Nopera and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru;
Te Kererū by Sue Corkill and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru; and
Te Tīrairaka by Sue Corkill, Niwa Short, and Te Huirangi Waikerepuru (Series) (Huia)
NEW ZEALAND POST BOOK AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the New Zealand Post Book Awards were announced yesterday evening at the ceremony hosted by Judith Tizard, Associate Minister for Arts, Literature and Culture, in the Legislative Chambers at Parliament. Compared by Victoria University Writer in Residence, Dave Armstrong, the ceremony went smoothly not only starting on time, but finishing early.
The winners are:
Book of the Year and Non-fiction Category: Illustrated History of the South Pacific, Marcia Stenson (Random House)
Picture Book Category and Children’s Choice Award: Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! Kyle Mewburn, Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Scholastic New Zealand)
Picture Book Honour Award: A Present from the Past, Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher (Scholastic New Zealand)
Junior Fiction Category: Thor’s Tale, Janice Marriott (HarperCollins Publishers)
Young Adult Fiction Category: Genesis, Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press)
Young Adult Honour Award: Single Fin, Aaron Topp (Random House)
Best First Book Award: The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff, Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children’s Books).
Booksellers New Zealand wish to congratulate all of the winners and finalists, and thank New Zealand Post for their ongoing support of these wonderful awards.
NEW ZEALAND POST BOOK AWARDS 2007 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The finalists for the 11th annual New Zealand Post Book Awards have been announced.
Picture Book Category:
Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!, Kyle Mewburn, Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Scholastic New Zealand)
Matatuhi, Robyn Kahukiwa (Puffin)
A Present from the Past, Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher (Scholastic New Zealand)
Riding the Waves/Whakaeke I ngā ngaru, Gavin Bishop and Kāterina Mataira (Random House New Zealand)
The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff, Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children’s Books)
Non-fiction Category:
Illustrated History of the South Pacific, Marcia Stenson (Random House New Zealand)
It’s True! You Can Make Your Own Jokes, Sharon Holt and Ross Kinnaird (Allen & Unwin)
Red Haze: Australians and New Zealanders in Vietnam, Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)
Soldier in the Yellow Socks: Charles Upham, Janice Marriott (HarperCollins Publishers)
Winging It! The Adventures of Tim Wallis, Neville Peat (Longacre Press)
Junior Fiction Category:
And did those feet… Ted Dawe (Longacre Press)
Boyznbikes, Vince Ford (Scholastic New Zealand)
Frog Whistle Mine, Des Hunt (HarperCollins Publishers)
My Story: Castaway, Bill O’Brien (Scholastic New Zealand)
Thor’s Tale, Janice Marriott (HarperCollins Publishers)
Young Adult Category:
Genesis, Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press)
A Respectable Girl, Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)
Shooting the Moon, V M Jones (HarperCollins Publishers)
Single Fin, Aaron Topp (Random House New Zealand)
Thieves, Ella West (Longacre Press)
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Parliament in Wellington on Wednesday 16th May. For up-to-date information, log on to the website www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz.
LIANZA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED
OCTOBER 10: Elizabeth Knox received New Zealand’s oldest book prize, The Esther Glen Award, at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony in Wellington, for her novel Dreamhunter (Fourth Estate 0732281938). Christchurch author and illustrator Gavin Bishop received The Russell Clark Award for Kiwi Moon (Random House 1869416740), which he both wrote and illustrated, and Wellington author Kevin Boon is the winner of The Elsie Locke Award for his non-fiction series Developments in New Zealand History (Waiatarua Publishing). The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards for 2006 are an annual event which celebrate excellence in New Zealand’s children’s books. Each of the 3 winners receives a medal and a cheque for $1,000.
October 4th 2006:
The shortlisted titles for the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2006 are:
The Elsie Locke Award (previously LIANZA Young People's Non-fiction Award) for a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people.
Predators in New Zealand, by Marc Mason
Scarecrow Army: The Anzacs at Gallipoli, by Leon Davidson
Developments in New Zealand History (series), by Kevin Boon
Cameras in Narnia: How The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Came to Life, by Ian Brodie
Frontier of Dreams: The Story of New Zealand (series), by John Parker
The Russell Clark Award, first awarded in 1975, for the most distinguished pictures or illustrations for a children's book, with or without text.
A Booming in the Night, by Ben Brown, illustrated by Helen Taylor
The Waka, by Jean Prior, illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Marta and the Manger Straw, by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Robyn Belton
Nobody's Dog, by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher
Kiwi Moon, written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
The Esther Glen Award for a work which is considered to be the most distinguished contribution to literature for children, by an author who is a citizen or resident of New Zealand. Established in 1945, it is the oldest award recognising excellence in New Zealand children's literature and the longest running award for a book published in New Zealand.
Dreamhunter, by Elizabeth Knox
Mr Bluenose, by Jack Lasenby
Sea of Mutiny, by Ken Catran
War Zones, by Helen Beaglehole
With Lots of Love from Georgia, by Brigid Lowry
The judging panel for the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2006 is: Bob Docherty (Panel Convenor) National Library, Christchurch; Katherine Chisholm, National Library, Palmerston North; and Annette Williams, Christchurch City Libraries. Between them, the judging panel has over fifty years of library experience.
“There were 75 entries for the three awards and, in some cases, it was quite difficult for the judging panel to cut the books down to the shortlist,” says Bob Docherty, Panel Convenor. “The entries for the Esther Glen Award demonstrated outstanding writing not only by the five finalists but also by those that missed out. In the end, only five could make the list and the judges considered that these finalists were the best.”
“Many of the books we considered for the Elsie Locke Award would be very appealing to children because of their beautiful production. However, the books must also be credible and reliable, citing references and sources and, ideally, giving a list of further reading. In the judges opinion a few, otherwise wonderful, books were let down by their shortcomings in these areas. In spite of this, this year’s non-fiction field was an extremely strong one, with many books that make valuable contributions to the body of New Zealand non-fiction.”
Docherty continues, “The judging panel is delighted with the standard of the shortlisted picture books, which all show an originality of style, control, balanced design and awareness of colour and contrast, along with a subtlety of touch and an appreciation for the text that is illustrated. The finalists for each of the awards confirm that the future of children’s and young adult’s books is in good hands.”
The winners will each be presented with a cheque for $1,000 and a medal. The award ceremony will take place on Monday 9 October as part of the LIANZA Annual Conference at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington.
Joy Cowley wins the New Zealand Post Book of the Year award
Joy Cowley has won the New Zealand Post Book of the Year with her novel, Hunter. This novel so impressed the judges for this year’s New Zealand Post Book Awards with its power and originality that they singled it out as a tour de force of fiction writing with the potential to become a classic of fiction writing for young readers on the international stage.
The award was presented to Joy Cowley by Prime Minister Helen Clark and New Zealand Post’s Chief Executive Officer, John Allen, at the awards ceremony hosted by the Hon. Judith Tizard, Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, at Parliament on Wednesday 17 May.
This year marks the tenth year that New Zealand Post has sponsored the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. Mr Allen said they were delighted to have watched the awards go from strength to strength over the past decade. “The importance of nourishing children’s literature, and therefore encouraging our young people to read, cannot be overestimated,” he said. “Books not only impart knowledge but more importantly they enrich the imagination, giving our children the ability to innovate and create.”
The judging panel, chaired by Julie Harper, manager of Jabberwocky Children’s Bookshop in Auckland, and including writer Graeme Lay and television producer, Carol Hirschfeld, read and debated the merits of 118 books published during 2005 and submitted for these awards. They concurred that New Zealand has a wealth of talented authors and illustrators creating wonderful works for children and young adults. “We were taken on many journeys – journeys that informed us or took us to imaginary, exciting worlds, journeys that made us laugh and cry and appreciate the experience of others,” said Ms Harper.
The category winners and honour award recipients in the New Zealand Post Book Awards 2006 are:
New Zealand Post Book of the Year:
Hunter by Joy Cowley (Puffin)
Junior Fiction Category:
Hunter by Joy Cowley (Puffin)
Honour Award: Sil by Jill Harris (Longacre Press)
Young Adult Fiction Category:
With Lots of Love from Georgia by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)
Honour Award: Kaitangata Twitch by Margaret Mahy (Allen & Unwin)
Picture Book Category:
A Booming in the Night by Ben Brown, illustrated by Helen Taylor (Reed Publishing)
Honour Award: Haere – Farewell, Jack, farewell by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Huhana Smith (Huia Publishers)
Non Fiction Category:
Scarecrow Army: The Anzacs at Gallipoli by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)
Honour Award: Blue New Zealand: Plants, Animals, Environments – A Visual Guide by Glenys Stace (Puffin)
Best First Book Award:
The Unknown Zone by Phil Smith (Random House New Zealand)
Children’s Choice Award:
Nobody’s Dog written by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic New Zealand) proved a favourite with New Zealand children when it won the coveted Children’s Choice Award.
The winner of each category was awarded with $5,000. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year takes home an extra $5,000. The winner of the Best First Book and the Children’s Choice Award receive prize money of $1,000 each. The honour awards were presented in each category in recognition of particular features in each book.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults since 1997. Their partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New Zealand Post’s support of these awards reflects their deep commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the country. Working closely with Booksellers New Zealand, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books. For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists by supporting the Books in Homes programme each year.
The New Zealand Post Book Awards are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers New Zealand.
“This year’s finalists demonstrate a pride in our country and heritage, from the natural world to our recent history,” said Julie Harper, manager of Jabberwocky Children’s Bookshop and convenor of this year’s judging panel. Harper and her fellow judges, TV3’s Carol Hirschfeld and writer Graeme Lay spent the summer reading books written by New Zealand authors that included tales of cannibalism, Māori land and environmental issues, and smart young characters taking on international corporations.
Harper commented on the quality and strength of the fiction writing evident in this year’s submissions for the awards. “It is apparent,” she said, “that the age of political correctness is over with our children’s writers becoming more confident in writing about, in particular, issues related to race and Māori land. Some people might be concerned with the content and language used in some of the novels, but it seems writers and publishers are really beginning to ask what, exactly, our young people want to read about.”
The finalists were selected from over 120 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2005 and submitted for the awards. Judging is across four categories. The judges were asked to consider points such as creative writing, use of language, impact, integrity, design and production values. Additional criteria for the Picture Book category include harmony between text and illustration. For the Non Fiction category they were also asked to take into account integration of text, graphics, how illustrations were used to engage interest and enhance understanding plus accuracy of data.
The finalists in the New Zealand Post Book Awards 2006 are:
Picture Book
A Booming in the Night by Ben Brown, illustrated by Helen Taylor (Reed Publishing)
Haere – Farewell, Jack, farewell by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Huhana Smith (Huia Publishers)
Nobody’s Dog by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic New Zealand)
*The Waka by Jean Prior, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Scholastic New Zealand)
*Te Waka by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira and Jean Prior, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Scholastic New Zealand)
Where’s the Gold? by Pamela Allen (Penguin Viking)
* The Waka and Te Waka are selected as joint finalists in English and Te Reo editions
Junior Fiction
Hunter by Joy Cowley (Puffin)
Maddigan’s Fantasia by Margaret Mahy (HarperCollins Publishers)
My Story: Chinatown Girl – The Diary of Silvey Chan, Auckland, 1942 by Eva Wong Ng (Scholastic New Zealand)
Sil by Jill Harris (Longacre Press)
Super Freak by Brian Falkner (Mallinson Rendel)
Young Adult Fiction
Deep Fried by Bernard Beckett and Clare Knighton (Longacre Press)
Kaitangata Twitch by Margaret Mahy (Allen & Unwin)
Running Hot by David Hill (Mallinson Rendel)
The Unknown Zone by Phil Smith (Random House New Zealand)
With Lots of Love from Georgia by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)
Non Fiction
Blue New Zealand: Plants, Animals, Environments – A Visual Guide by Glenys Stace (Puffin)
Cameras in Narnia: How The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe came to life by Ian Brodie (HarperCollins Publishers)
Frontier of Dreams: The Story of New Zealand – The Weight of World Wars 1897 - 1949 by John Parker (Scholastic New Zealand)
Peter Blake Sailor, Adventurer: The Story of a New Zealand Hero by Alan Sefton (Puffin)
Scarecrow Army: The Anzacs at Gallipoli by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)
Finalists will be on the road from Monday 8 May, participating in a nationwide festival of children’s books and literature in celebration of the tenth annual New Zealand Post Book Awards. They will be visiting schools and libraries around the country in the lead up to the awards night on Wednesday 17 May when the winners will be announced. A full list of touring writers will be announced at the end of February.
Voting for the Children’s Choice Award begins today. For the first time children will be able to vote online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz. Children and young adults nationwide have the opportunity over the next few months to vote for their favourite book, selecting from the twenty finalists. Last year’s winner was The Other Ark written and illustrated by one of New Zealand’s biggest selling children’s authors, Lynley Dodd.
STAR CHILDREN’S WRITERS VISITING TOWNS NEAR YOU!
Writers and illustrators with finalist books in this year’s tenth annual New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults will be visiting towns and main centres throughout the country beginning Monday 8 May 2006, as part of a nationwide festival of children’s books, reading and literature.
Amongst this year’s twelve touring writers are some of the stars of the children’s book world. They include the marvellous Margaret Mahy who has two books amongst the finalists – Kaitangata Twitch and Maddigan’s Fantasia (the television adaptation of which is currently screening on TV3); David Hill who is well-known for his hard-hitting novels for young adult readers; and much-loved children’s picture book writer Jennifer Beck.
Also on the road will be some talented new finalist authors and illustrators, giving talks and sharing writing skills with school children, having fun with book illustrations, giving readings and signing books for some of their youngest or most ardent fans.
The full list of touring writings, illustrators and their destinations is as follows:
· Northland and West Auckland: John Parker, author of Frontier of Dreams: The Story of New Zealand – The Weight of World Wars 1897 – 1949
· Auckland’s North Shore, Manukau, then on to Wellington and Kapiti: Tim Tipene, author of the picture book Haere – Farewell, Jack, farewell
· Auckland City, Hutt Valley, then the West Coast: Glenys Stace, author of Blue New Zealand: Plants, Animals, Environments – A Visual Guide
· West Auckland Alan Sefton, author of Peter Blake Sailor, Adventurer: The Story of a New Zealand Hero
· Manukau, Tauranga, Rotorua and the Waikato: Brian Falkner, author of the junior fiction novel, Super Freak
· Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa: Jennifer Beck, author of Nobody’s Dog
· Taranaki, Wanganui and the Manawatu: Brigid Lowry, author of With Lots of Love from Georgia
· Porirua: Huhana Smith, illustrator of picture book, Haere – Farewell, Jack, farewell
· Wellington: Jill Harris, author of Sil
· Marlborough and Nelson: David Hill, author of Running Hot
· Canterbury and Otago: Margaret Mahy
· Gore and Southland: Ian Brodie, author of Cameras in Narnia: How the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe came to life
As well as hosting visiting finalists, regional festival co-ordinators will be organising a spectrum of fun events for all ages from engaging readings of picture books for toddlers, writing and illustration workshops for older children, children’s theatre adaptations of some finalist books, inter-schools quiz competitions, book parades, picnics and much more.
This year we will be celebrating ten years of sponsorship from New Zealand Post. In each of the twenty-four regions around the country there will be special birthday events to look forward to. Details about these birthday events, visiting finalists plus a full list of events region by region will be available online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz from Monday 10 April.
The festival culminates in the announcement of the winners of the New Zealand Post Book Awards at Parliament on Wednesday 17 May 2006.
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