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Children’s picture book Quaky Cat, published in response to the Canterbury earthquakes, has now raised $150,000 for Christchurch charities.

Born of tragedy — the September 2010 earthquake in Christchurch — Quaky Cat is the uplifting story of Tiger the cat's experiences as he wanders frightened and lost through the quake's destruction, and finally gets reunited with his family. Wanting to help the people of Christchurch, author Diana Noonan and illustrator Gavin Bishop donated their services to create the book, and publisher Scholastic New Zealand has, since the book's December 2010 publication, donated 50% of the book’s proceeds to Christchurch charities.

Proceeds from sales of Quaky Cat, including all of Noonan and Bishop’s royalties, are being donated to the Christchurch Women’s Refuge and Te Tai Tamariki Children’s Literature Trust, with Scholastic’s contribution going to the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Appeal. At the time of publication, 15,000 copies of the book were gifted by Scholastic to year 1 and 2 children in the Christchurch region.

Minister for Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlie presented Scholastic with the Northwest Christchurch Earthquake Award, in recognition of service to the local community in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology, creating quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children that are distributed through a variety of channels including retail stores, school book clubs, book fairs and libraries. www.scholastic.co.nz

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For further information contact: Diana Murray, Publishing Manager, Scholastic NZ dmurray@scholastic.co.nz

Dr Michael Oehley, author of Scholastic New Zealand titles The Vitality Code (2012) and The 4 Powers of Daren Sáner (2010) is undertaking an official book tour for The Vitality Code; his fantasy adventure for children aged 10–14 released this month.

Michael is traversing the length and breadth of New Zealand during his month-long tour, visiting a total of 34 schools between 23 April and 25 May.

Dr Michael Oehley is a South African-born New Zealander currently working as an emergency doctor in rural parts of Australia. At only 28 years of age, he has found time to visit over thirty countries on five different continents and to write two adventures for children about Daren Sáner – in addition to his work at a busy hospital.

Michael is a confident, youthful and dynamic personality with whom young people will have no trouble connecting. To read a recent interview with Michael, click here.

Michael will be entertaining students with thrilling excerpts from The Vitality Code as well as conducting question and answer sessions and creative writing workshops with class groups. He will also be undertaking several book signings at bookstores throughout the country.

The Vitality Code is a tightly written page-turner, fast-moving and full of action, with a narrative that mixes sci-fi with an ancient world and moves seamlessly back and forth through time and space. For more information on the book, click here.

Please see the attached spreadsheet for the dates and schools Michael will be visiting, or contact fhughes@scholastic.co.nz for further information.

Independent education and publishing consultant, Gillian Candler will convene this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards judging panel.

The former secondary school teacher, editor and chief executive of state-owned education publishing company, Learning Media says she is looking forward to a long, enjoyable summer of reading great kiwi books.

“I’m a passionate believer that good books change lives. It is therefore an honour and a pleasure to convene this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards judging panel.

”I’ll be on the lookout for books that capture my imagination; books that entice and teach, books with characters that draw me in and leave me wanting more.”

Two other children’s literature experts join Ms Candler on the judging panel: school curriculum advisor, librarian and bookseller Annemarie Florian and award-winning writer and illustrator Bob Kerr.

Together they will read more than 130 books in the search for the best of this country’s children’s books - across all age groups - published in 2011.

They will be choosing finalists, and ultimately winners across five categories: picture book, non-fiction, junior fiction, young adult fiction and best first book.

Each Category Award winner receives $7,500. The winner of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year Award takes home an additional $7,500. The winner of the Best First Book Award and the Children’s Choice Award receive prize money of $2,000 each.

New Zealand Post is proud to be principle sponsor of the New Zealand Book Awards and the Children’s Book Awards. New Zealand Post is committed to promoting and assisting literacy in our communities and supporting excellence in literature. Working closely with Booksellers NZ, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealanders to read and enjoy books.

The New Zealand Post Book Awards 2012 are also funded by Creative New Zealand. The Awards are overseen by the New Zealand Post Book Awards Governance Group, administered by Booksellers NZ and supported by the New Zealand Society of Authors and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd.

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For further information about the Awards, and biographical information about the judges please go to http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards

Publishers put their best educational books forward for the CLL Educational Publishing Awards presented on 17 November in Auckland.

Topics covered everything from HR, accounting, foodservice, English, mathematics, science, and history – one presented as a graphic novel – over the three book awards for Higher Education, Secondary and Primary sectors. In keeping with the growing importance of the area, a Digital Publishing award was also made.

This is the second year of the Copyright Licensing Ltd sponsored awards for which the winning publishers in each section received a $5,000 cheque.

Gillian Candler, convener of the CLL Educational Awards judging panel, said that the judges were impressed with the wide range of topics provided by New Zealand publishers to schools and tertiary education institutes and the high standard of design and content of books and resources. Candler, an education and publishing consultant was joined on the panel by Libby Limbrick, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland and David Greeney, former academic textbook manager at Lexis Nexis.

“The x factors that helped titles make the shortlist included exemplary pedagogical approaches and important New Zealand content presented in accessible and inspiring ways,” said Gillian Candler. “The winners combined these factors with excellent instructional design, illustrative flair, and ease of use.”

Best Book in Higher Education Winner
Contested Ground Te Whenua I Tohea: The Taranaki Wars 1860–1881 ed. Kelvin Day, published by Huia Publishers. “A valuable text that makes good use of original material, draws together experts, presents fresh insight,” said the judges.

Best Book or Series in Secondary Education Winner
Gamma Mathematics: NCEA Level 1 by David Barton, published by Pearson. “A good use of colour and layout along with clear explanations and New Zealand examples make this text appealing to students.”

Best Book or Series in Primary Education Winner
School Journal Part 4 Number 3 2010 and Part 3 Number 3 2010 ed. Susan Paris, published by Learning Media. “These two issues of the School Journal are dedicated to the Moriori people… a significant contribution to our knowledge and understanding of an important group of New Zealanders.”

Best Digital Publishing Solution
Sails Shared Interactive published by Pearson. “Engaging and easy to use, a product which will be loved by both students and teachers.”

The judges also gave Highly Commended Awards in three categories:

Higher Education Highly Commended: Teaching Primary School Mathematics and Statistics: Evidence-Based Practice ed. Robin Averill and Roger Harvey, published by NZCER Press

Secondary Education Highly Commended: Ngarimu: Te Tohu Toa by Kawata Teepa, published by Huia Publishers

Primary Education Highly Commended: Hina ed. Hana Pomare, published by Hana Limited

The CLL Educational Publishing Awards acknowledge excellence in presentation, content and appropriateness for New Zealand schools and tertiary institutions.

The judges further commented, “There is a good range of publications which have not just a New Zealand flavour but strong New Zealand content that helps students and teachers develop deeper knowledge and understanding of important topics for our nation.”

More than a hundred young writers from across Auckland and Whangarei gathered at Starship Hospital today to officially launch their newly published book: Superhero Pukeko & 7 Winning Stories.

The compilation book of eight short stories written by children aged 5 to 12 years old, including illustrations by rugby’s Keven Mealamu, was published by real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson to raise funds for the Starship Foundation.

Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson said he was delighted to see the theme of ‘heroes’ naturally develop as the book’s winning short stories came together.

“This theme is so fitting to the contributors and benefactors of this book. These students have achieved a heroic feat they can be very proud of, creating something that will help raise much needed funds to assist the young heroes battling in Starship’s wards every day.”

The overall winning story, ‘The Pukeko who wanted to be a Super-hero’, by Room 8 of St Heliers School, tells the great tale of a bird with a mistaken identity, on his search to find a licence to be a super hero. It is accompanied by seven other tales:

• Ararimu School, Ben Langheim of Room 1 – ‘A Brothers Battle’; a touching tale of a brother’s diagnosis with leukaemia.
• Birkdale Intermediate, Room 11 – ‘Déjà vu’; the unexplainable feeling one boy has in avoiding a car crash.
• Howick Intermediate, students from Room 20 – ‘A Paper’s Life Story’; the emotional ride one tree has on the way to becoming a book.
• Hurupaki School, Pod 7 – ‘Heroes of Antarctica – A Husky Tale’; the tough journey one husky handler and his dogs have on the way to Scott Base.
• Somerville Intermediate, Room 22 – ‘The Wolf That Got Punked’; the amusing and unexpected triumph one awkward donkey has over a hungry wolf.
• Victoria Ave Primary, Zoe Fong of Room 6 – ‘The Boy Who Danced’; the struggle of a boy’s choice between rugby and ballet.
• Willowbank Primary, Room 5 – ‘Never Judge a Book by its Cover’; the start of one Prince’s unusual quest to find love.

Every cent from book sales will be donated to the Starship Foundation, with funds supporting the purchase of brain monitoring equipment.

Today’s launch event was an opportunity for the young talents from across the region to come together and celebrate their success, as well as shake hands with a sporting hero, Keven Mealamu.

This is the fourth Barfoot & Thompson title Keven has illustrated for the company’s Young Authors Challenge in support of Starship.

This year’s book was more challenging than previous ones for Keven, with the need to develop a fresh style and new characters for each of the eight stories, and some images receiving finishing touches between big games in September and October.

A selection of the original artworks from this year’s book are available from today on auction website Trade Me, also benefiting Starship.

In addition to rubbing shoulders with a leading sportsman, the winning classes were also treated to writing workshops with established authors Paula Green and John Parker, who helped them refine their stories.

“The aim of the Young Authors Challenge is to support children’s love for reading and writing, whether they are in the classroom or the hospital,” says Mr Thompson.

“It’s a unique competition and feedback from teachers has been extremely positive, with more than 100 entries received this year. It is a fun project that also provides a real-life outcome, increasing students’ enthusiasm for the learning task at hand.

“We were humbled by the calibre of the entries, and it is our hope that the Young Authors Challenge and the resulting books continue to inspire students.”

The past three story books have helped Barfoot & Thompson raise a combined $80,000 for Starship. Through the Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading programme, copies of the books are also provided to Starship Children’s Hospital and Whangarei Hospital’s Children’s Ward where they are given to young patients to read and take home.

Superhero Pukeko & 7 Winning Stories is available from www.barfoot.co.nz and your local Barfoot & Thompson branch for $15.00. Eight of Keven’s original artworks have been launched on Trade Me and can be found by searching ‘signed Keven Mealamu illustration’ at www.trademe.co.nz

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Barfoot & Thompson knows Auckland best. It is the city’s leading real estate company, selling around one in three Auckland residential homes, significantly ahead of all other competitor brands. The Young Authors Challenge is part of the Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading programme, which is fully funded by the company. It sees thousands raised for the Starship Foundation and 15,000 books put in the hands of young patients each year.

Keven Mealamu is Barfoot & Thompson’s Sponsorship Ambassador. As well as being a talented rugby player, Keven is also a keen amateur artist. John Parker is one of New Zealand’s best known authors, having written nearly 130 books for children and teens. Paula Green is a highly regarded poet and writer, and began writing for children after being awarded the University of Auckland Literacy Fellowship in 2005.

 

Digital images from the launch and of the book are available on request. Please contact Jess Miller (details below) for these and for further interview opportunities.

For further information about the Magic of Reading Young Authors Challenge, contact Peter Thompson, Barfoot & Thompson, telephone 09 307 5523 or 027 453 5931. www.barfoot.co.nz

Who says boys don’t read? Greenhithe Primary School students Liam Clarke (7) and Keiran Lance (7) have translated a passion for great writing into award-winning book reviews. The two boys have come first and second respectively in their sections of the Scholastic Book Review Competition, while Greenhithe Primary School has won a school membership and author visit for 2012.

Another Greenhithe student, Drew Fletcher (11), also won her section of the competition with a sensitive review of Beyond Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys. She had been on tenterhooks, wondering how she had done in the competition, for which the intermediate section drew nearly 40 entries:

“When [teacher] Mrs Treeby said that I had won I was shocked, but excited, as I let my mind wonder what I had won. I enjoyed telling my parents because proud smiles spread across their faces which made me feel happy.”

The winner of the 13+ year section this month was Isobel Pepper (14) from Palmerston North Girls’ High School, with a review of Passion by Lauren Kate. Isobel had entered a 500-word review in the previous competition, which went over our word limit, but upon getting it down to size she won her section:

“I love reading the reviews and I get good book ideas from reading them. But writing a book review under 200 words is a challenge!”

The competition was initiated in 2010 by the Book Council, with Scholastic enthusiastically agreeing to come on board by providing brilliant book packs to the winner of each section of the competition – junior, intermediate and senior.

The students read action books, romance books, and even a couple of pony books. More than once, the judges have been sent scrambling to the computer when a review is so good that it sounds like it is the actual blurb from the book!

“So often we find ourselves so engaged by the review, that we have to seek out the book ourselves”, says Sarah Forster, Education Manager, and erstwhile head judge.

“We hope to see this competition continue to flourish in our member schools, and look forward to giving out a great many more school memberships and a great many more excellent Scholastic books.”

The next competition will be next year, closing on Monday 27 February. Get your students reading over the holidays and be in to win next year.

ENDS

For further information, contact Sarah Forster, New Zealand Book Council, Ph: (04) 801 5546, or education@bookcouncil.org.nz

The Feet First Picture Book Competition returns for the third year and gives primary school students the chance to see their own story turned into a published book.

The competition is open to all schools registered with the NZ Transport Agency's Feet First programme. The deadline for entries is November 18.

To enter, a class or team has to write and illustrate a 16-page picture book about safe active travel. The story may be fiction or non-fiction and entries can be on paper or in a digital format.

Read more on the Feet First website:

www.feetfirst.govt.nz/picture-book-competition/about-the-competition

The winning team wins a workshop with a professional book editor and illustrator. They will visit the school and help students polish their story into a publishable format. This is a terrific way for students to learn all about being authors.

NZTA will then publish their picture book and send copies to all school libraries.

For inspiration, check out last year's winner Crazy Hat Day by Room 22 of Green Bay School. This page shows both their original entry and final product.
http://www.feetfirst.govt.nz/picture-book-competition/winner-2010

More links
All the information you need is on the Feet First website: www.feetfirst.govt.nz
You can also down the 2011 entry pack here: http://www.slideshare.net/feetfirst/ff-entry-pack-2011-web.

A Getting Started guide is available. This is packed with ideas for teachers on how to make the competition a successful learning experience for their students. The competition has strong links to the curriculum through English, the arts, health and social sciences.

More than 150 Auckland and Northland students aged between five and 12 years old are set to become published authors as winners in the Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge.

Eight short stories by classes from schools around the region have been selected to feature in a compilation book, which will be published by Barfoot & Thompson and sold to raise money for the Starship Foundation.

The overall winning story ‘The Pukeko who wanted to be a super hero’, by Room 8 of St Heliers School, will be accompanied by seven other tales, including:

• Ararimu School, Ben Langheim of Room 1 – ‘A Brothers Battle’
• Birkdale Intermediate, Room 11 – ‘Déjà vu’
• Howick Intermediate, students from Room 20 – ‘A Paper’s Life Story’
• Hurupaki School, Pod 7 – ‘Heroes of Antarctica – A Husky Tale’
• Somerville Intermediate, Room 22 – ‘The Wolf That Got Punked’
• Victoria Ave Primary, Zoe Fong of Room 6 – ‘The Boy Who Danced’
• Willowbank Primary, Room 5 – ‘Never Judge a Book by its Cover’

Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson – the company that fully funds the programme – says he is excited to see more young authors get the opportunity to experience the joy of publishing their creative works.

“We were extremely impressed by the hundreds of entries we received from over 50 schools this year. We look forward to seeing the winners take pride of place in the new book to showcase the talent and skill of the region’s young authors.”

For entrants and winners alike, the Young Authors Challenge offers a special learning opportunity for primary and intermediate students. Mr Thompson says he hopes the competition helps to deliver real outcomes in the classroom, as well as foster a life-long love of reading and writing.

“We designed the competition with the school curriculum in mind, so teachers can use this exciting activity to harness student’s creative thinking and hone their literary skills.”

In addition to becoming published authors, each winning class will get to participate in a writing development workshop with well-known authors John Parker and Paula Green.

The students will also see their masterpieces come to life through pictures by rugby player Keven Mealamu, who will illustrate the book.

The six-year-old authors of the overall winning story ‘The Pukeko who wanted to be a super hero’ will see their tale about an aspiring native bird and his forest friends grace the cover of the book and feature as the opening story alongside the seven other successful entries.

“All of the winning stories show an expert execution of plot and writing technique, display creative thought and emotion, and many include a good dose of humour that’s sure to entertain readers.

“St Heliers School in particular developed some insightful morals at the end of their story, which made it especially memorable for us and a worthy story to open our book,” says Mr Thompson.

Room 8’s teacher, Gill Johnson, says the inspiration for the children’s story came from the class’ recent research on New Zealand animals, with the class voting the pukeko as their lead character.

“The children did a lot of brainstorming to develop their story and approach. The writing style was influenced by UK children’s’ author Jill Tomlinson, who often writes about animals and uses repetition to enforce her theme.”

The finished book will be published in late October, with every cent from proceeds donated to the Starship Foundation, thanks to the support of Barfoot & Thompson.

The past three story books have helped Barfoot & Thompson raise a combined $80,000 for Starship. Through the Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading programme, copies of the book are also provided to Starship Children’s Hospital and Whangarei Hospital’s Children’s Ward and given to young patients that stay overnight to read and take home.

ENDS

Barfoot & Thompson knows Auckland best. It is the city’s leading real estate company, selling around one in three Auckland residential homes, significantly ahead of all other competitor brands.

The Young Authors Challenge is part of the Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading programme, which is fully funded by the company. It sees thousands raised for the Starship Foundation and 15,000 books put in the hands of young patients each year.

Keven Mealamu is Barfoot & Thompson’s Sponsorship Ambassador. As well as being a talented rugby player, Keven is also a keen amateur artist. John Parker is one of New Zealand’s best known authors, having written nearly 130 books for children ranging from picture-books to novels for teens. Paula Green is a highly regarded poet and writer, and began writing for children after being awarded the University of Auckland literacy Fellowship in 2005.

For further information, contact Peter Thompson, Barfoot & Thompson, telephone
09 307 5523 or 027 453 5931. www.barfoot.co.nz

Released on behalf of Barfoot & Thompson by Network PR (Megan Green), telephone 09 306 5802. www.networkpr.co.nz

Barfoot & Thompson has launched their new Young Authors Challenge, offering more local primary and intermediate school children the chance to experience the joy of publishing their creative works.

Following the popularity of last year’s third annual Storybook Competition, Barfoot & Thompson has expanded the once single story book in to a compilation of short stories to enable more budding writers to take part.

This year, an unprecedented eight classes will be able to win the chance to have their short story feature in a real book, which will be printed and sold to benefit the Starship Foundation.

“This programme is about fostering a life long love for reading and writing, and we want as many children as possible to participate and experience the magic of creating their own story,” says Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson, which fully funds the programme.

Mr Thompson encourages teachers to take advantage of the unique learning opportunity by entering their class’ best short story before 27 May.

“The Young Authors Challenge offers a range of benefits for students. It fits well within the primary and intermediate curriculums, and can also deliver real outcomes for the children involved, something that is recognised to enhance the learning experience,” he says.

In addition to seeing their creative works feature in a real book, the winning classes will be treated to special workshops with well-known Kiwi authors and their stories will be brought to life by rugby legend and amateur artist Keven Mealamu.

Mr Thompson said the winning classes would also get the pleasure of producing a book that will be a great help to other Kiwi kids.

“Once published, the storybook will be sold, with every cent raised benefiting the Starship Foundation. We also provide copies of the books for children who stay overnight in the Starship Children’s Hospital and the Whangarei Children’s Ward.

Past books including Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar by the inaugural winners from Colwill School in West Auckland, The Weather Fish by Room 10 at Ahipara School and Paul and the Magic Pencil by Room 15 from Waiau Pa School in Franklin, have all helped raised more than $80,000 for the Starship Foundation.

Important information:

• The Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge is open to all primary and intermediate classes at schools in Auckland and Northland.
• Entries close on Friday 27 May.
• Teachers can find out more at www.barfoot.co.nz/challenge.

ENDS

Barfoot & Thompson knows Auckland best. It is the city’s leading real estate company, selling around one in three Auckland residential homes, significantly ahead of all other competitor brands.

The Magic of Reading programme & Young Authors Challenge is fully funded by Barfoot & Thompson. Combined, the programmes see thousands of dollars raised and 15,000 books put in the hands of Starship patients each year.

Keven Mealamu is Barfoot & Thompson’s Sponsorship Ambassador. As well as being a talented rugby player, Keven is also a keen amateur artist.

John Parker is one of New Zealand’s best known authors, having written nearly 130 books for children ranging from picture-books to novels for teens. Paula Green is a highly regarded poet and writer, and began writing for children after being awarded the University of Auckland literacy Fellowship in 2005.


For further information, contact Peter Thompson, Barfoot & Thompson, telephone
09 307 5523 or 027 453 5931. www.barfoot.co.nz

Released on behalf of Barfoot & Thompson by Network PR (Megan Green), telephone 09 306 5802. www.networkpr.co.nz

The Storylines Children’s Literature Trust is pleased to announce the 2011 Storylines Notable Books List (for children's/YA novels, picture books and non-fiction published in 2010).

The List was announced at the Storylines annual Margaret Mahy Day in Auckland on Saturday 2 April.

The Storylines Notable Book List was established in 2000 to reflect the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand authors and illustrators.

The Storylines Notable Books list allows for the inclusion of anthologies and works by New Zealand writers and illustrators published internationally.

The Notable Books List is selected by a panel made up from the Storylines community, of current children’s literature professionals. These include past and present members of the Storylines management committee, all of whom have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of children’s literature and many have served as judges for the New Zealand Post Book Awards (and its previous incarnations) and the LIANZA children’s book awards.

The panel meets regularly throughout the year to discuss recently published books. Up to 10 books can be selected for each category.

Storylines Notable Picture Books 2011

* Hetty’s Day Out by Pamela Allen (Penguin / Viking)
* Ria the Reckless Wrybill by Jane Buxton, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Puffin)
* A Dog Like That! by Janene Cooper, illustrated by Evie Kemp (Duck Creek Press)
* The Rain Train by Elena De Roo, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books Australia)
* The Moon & Farmer McPhee by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by David Elliot (Random House)
* Hill & Hole by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Vasanti Unka (Puffin)
* Quaky Cat by Diana Noonan, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Scholastic)
* Two Little Pirates by Ruth Paul (Scholastic)
* Magpie Mischief by June Peka, illustrated by Jo Thapa (Scholastic)
* The Mountain Who Wanted to Live in a House by Maurice Shadbolt, illustrated by Renee Haggo (Duck Creek Press)

Storylines Notable Junior Fiction 2011

* Jonty and Choc by Vince Ford (Scholastic)
* Hollie Chips by Anna Gowan (Scholastic)
* The Crocodile Nest by Des Hunt (HarperCollins)
* Finnigan and the Pirates by Sherryl Jordan (Scholastic)
* Viola Vincent Reporting by Anna Kenna (Scholastic)
* The Haystack by Jack Lasenby (HarperCollins)
* Staying Home: My True Diary of Survival by Jess O. (O’Connor) (Puffin)
* The Sheep on the Fourth Floor by Leonie Thorpe (HarperCollins)
* A Girl Called Harry by Philippa Werry (Scholastic)
* This Way Up by Lindsay Wood (HarperCollins)

Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction 2011

* Fierce September by Fleur Beale (Random House)
* Dreams of Warriors by Susan Brocker (HarperCollins)
* Smiling Jack by Ken Catran (HarperCollins)
* The Project by Brian Falkner (Walker Books Australia)
* The Limping Man by Maurice Gee (Puffin)
* Into the Wilderness by Mandy Hager (Random House)
* Ebony Hill by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre / Random House)
* Organ Music by Margaret Mahy (Gecko Press)
* Tussock by Elizabeth Pulford (Walker Books Australia)
* Bloodlines by T. K. (Tania) Roxborogh (Penguin)

Special mention: authors ineligible due to residing outside of New Zealand:

* The Taniwha’s Tear by David Hair (HarperCollins)
* Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (Allen & Unwin)

Storylines Notable Non-fiction 2011

* Brave Bess and the Anzac Horses by Susan Brocker (HarperCollins)
* The Life Cycle of the Pukeko by Betty Brownlie (Scholastic)
* The Kiwi Fossil Hunter’s Handbook by James Crampton, illustrated by Marianna Terezow (Random House)
* Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the Western Front by Leon Davidson (The Text Publishing Company)
* Who’s Cooking Tonight? by Claire Gourley (Penguin)
* Naughty Kid’s Book of Nature by Des Hunt, illustrated by Scott Tulloch (HarperCollins)
* Who You Are is What you Do: Making Choices about Life after School by Heather McAllister (Beatnik)
* Sensational Survivors: An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand’s Remarkable Wildlife by Sandra Morris (Walker Books Australia)
* Star boy and Friends: How to Make Cool Stuff from Socks and Gloves and Weird Wabbit and Friends: How to Make Cool Stuff from Felt by Vasanti Unka (Penguin). NB: Both books in this series are considered notable.

The judges for the highly acclaimed LIANZA Children’s Book Awards have been announced and the judges are excited about the challenge ahead of reading over 100 books covering a wide range of topics and across all children’s writing; from children’s picture books to junior and young adult fiction, non fiction and te reo Maori.

Key dates
Monday 14 February 2011 Submission details available
Friday 18 March 2011 Submission Deadline
Monday 30 May 2011 Finalists announced
Monday 8 August 2011 Awards Ceremony, Caffe L'Affare, Wellington

About the judges:
Belynda Smith recently moved to Christchurch having previously been the Co-ordinator of the Children's and Teenage Services Librarians for North Shore Libraries, based at Takapuna Library.

Belynda has previously been on the Library Week Committee and is passionate about the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards and promoting and enjoying New Zealand Children’s Literature. Belynda returns as the Panel Convenor and we are looking forward to Belynda’s energy and wonderful humour throughout the event.

Pene Walsh, currently Library Manager for Gisborne District has always maintained a strong and active interest in children’s literature. Her library delivers a literacy programme for young people including weekly preschool programmes, curriculum based lessons for all school levels and active participation with children’s authors when possible.

Pene has been a judge for the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Award (now Montana Book Awards), LIANZA Children’s Book Awards and has undertaken assessments for the Margaret King Spencer Writer’s Trust which involves assessing an open range of unpublished manuscripts that includes material written for children. Pene continues to firmly believe reading and good books are the code to unlocking any child’s hidden potential and that good people who work in libraries, bookshops and schools are often the ones who are able to share that code with children.

Lily O’Donovan comes from one of those large families where stories are told and retold, and passed down, and are only ever occasionally embellished. Growing up, her favourite part of the day was that marvelous space – never long enough – between bedtime and lights out.

At the dawn of the 21st Century, when she discovered that some people will pay you to put children and books together, she knew that she had found her perfect job. Since then she has worked in primary and secondary school libraries, National Library and now at Wellington City Libraries. As well as reading she enjoys zombie movies, earl grey tea, and running in the hills.

Alice Heather (Judging Panel Convenor for Te Kura Pounamu) has been working at the National Library in Auckland, in the role of Māori Adviser for school Services for the last ten years. Alice now works part-time at the National Library and has returned to secondary school English teaching and is the teacher with library responsibility at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi.

Alice is an active member of Te Rōpū Whakahau and Te Hikuroa (Māori Librarians in the Auckland Region). Alice helped to set up Uiangapatai, the te reo Māori side of Anyquestions and is currently an operator for both services.

Congratulations to Jane Higgins, winner of the 2010 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, for her apocalyptic action novel The Bridge.

The Bridge, set in a war-torn city in 2199, is the story of 16-year-old Nik who dreams of being chosen for the Intelligence Services—it’s either that or be conscripted to fight Breken hostiles over the river on Southside. When his school is bombed and his young friend Sol is kidnapped, Nik and Sol’s sister, Fyffe, track the kidnappers into the Southside slums. When Fyffe disappears, Nik infiltrates Breken high command in his hunt for her and Sol. There he discovers the truth about the hostiles, their uprising and his own past.

Higgins, a research sociologist at Lincoln University in Christchurch, has won $10,000 and a publishing contract. Her debut novel, The Bridge will be published in August 2011.

Richard Newsome’s The Emerald Casket—sequel to the inaugural winner of the prize, The Billionaire’s Curse—has just been released. And last year’s winner This is Shyness, by Melbourne bookseller and author Leanne Hall, will hit the bookshelves next month.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will present the Orange Prize Youth Panel Award on 9th June

As part of the Orange Prize for Fiction’s 15th anniversary, the 2010 Youth Panel has selected Anne Michaels’ Fugitive Pieces as their favourite novel from all the previous winners.

Recruited via Spinebreakers.co.uk, the site for book loving teenagers, the Youth Panel is part of the Orange Prize’s strategy to engage with younger readers and introduce them to the great backlist of past winners from the last 15 years. The award will be presented by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations. The Duchess recently invited the panel to Clarence House where they held the final judging meeting.

Anne Michaels commented: "It means more than I can say that Fugitive Pieces has been chosen by the Orange Prize Youth Panel. How heartened I am that this book has been received, with alertness and openness, by readers courageous enough to take to their hearts both the complex questions and the hope contained in its pages.

“Fugitive Pieces is a discussion of history, a serious enquiry into events and their consequences; what love makes us capable of, and incapable of. And it is a discussion of the deepest responsibilities of memory. That these questions have been embraced by the minds and hearts of young readers - the youth that is taking its place in the world - is utterly hopeful. I could not wish for a more meaningful honour."

Kate Mosse, Co-Founder & Honorary Director of the Orange Prize for Fiction, was the facilitator for the judging meetings. “It was a great pleasure to eavesdrop on the fabulous discussions held to get down from the shortlist of six previous winners to the overall winner. The debate was lively, focused, passionate – everything that we had hoped for – and wonderful that their final choice should be one of our earliest winners, proving – if proof we needed – that literature of the highest quality speaks beyond its time and context.”

The 2010 Orange Prize Youth Panel’s shortlist:

A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore (1996 winner)
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels (1997 winner)
When I Lived in Modern Times by Linda Grant (2000 winner)
Small Island by Andrea Levy (2004 winner)
On Beauty by Zadie Smith (2006 winner)
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2007 winner)

A spunky, hanky-panky cranky stinky dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey (breath….), a beetle, a crooked man, a mouse and a charity shop worker have all endeared the LIANZA Children’s Book Award Judges this year and have been selected as finalists in this years LIANZA Russell Clark Children’s Book Awards!

Belynda Smith, Panel Convenor and the Children’s & Young Adult Services Librarian at Takapuna Library says that 'we have a wonderful line-up of finalists for this year’s LIANZA Children’s Book Awards and are particularly delighted with the finalists for the inaugural LIANZA Young Adult Award. The Young Adult finalists are all books with strong storylines and the ability to transport the reader to different places and ways of life. While a few of the authors of this years finalists have been nominated or won LIANZA awards previously, the majority are finalists for the first time. It’s exciting to see all this talent emerging from New Zealand authors and illustrators'.

Alice Heather, Panel Convenor for the te reo Maori category says that 'This years entries for Te Kura Pounamu were again really difficult to judge because of the wide range of genres and the quality of books that were entered. The short list includes a graphic novel, picture book, non fiction and a novel.'

Prerequisite to selection as a LIANZA Judge is being a Librarian, along with passion to promote children’s experiences in the literary world; the Judges firmly believe reading and good books are the code to unlocking any child’s hidden potential.

The Judges for the LIANZA Esther Glen, LIANZA Young Adult, LIANZA Elsie Locke, and LIANZA Russell Clark Award are: Belynda Smith (Panel Convenor), Takapuna Library Auckland; Adrienne Hannan, CYA Specialist Wellington City Libraries; and Susan Dodd, Pre School Outreach for the Programs, Learning and Events team of the Christchurch Public Libraries.

The Te Kura Pounamu Award judges are: Alice Heather (Panel Convener); National Library Auckland, Margaret Ngaropo, Library Assistant Maori Services Manurewa Library and Haromi Williams, a commissioner on the Library and Information Advisory Commission and CE of the Tuhoe Education Authority.

The Full list of the LIANZA Children’s Book Award 2010 Finalists are:

LIANZA Esther Glen Award (Fiction)
Friends: Snake & Lizard by Joy Cowley, Illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)
The Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe (Longacre Press)
Top Secret: Pass it on by Jaqueline Chapman (Longacre Press)
Glory by Fifi Colston (Scholastic)
The Billionaires Curse by Richard Newsome (Text Publishing)

LIANZA Young Adult (Fiction)
The Bone Tiki by David Hair (HarperCollins Publishers (NZ) Ltd)
Banquo’s Son by Tania Roxborogh (Penguin Group NZ)
The Crossing by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)
About Griffen’s Heart by Tina Shaw (Longacre Press)
Brainjack by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)

LIANZA Russell Clark Award (Illustration)
Rhinehold the Mouse by Di Batchelor (Di Batchelor/ Fraser Books)
There was a Crooked Man by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)
Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn/ Rachel Driscoll (Scholastic)
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith/ Katz Cowley (Scholastic)
Tiny Miss Dott and her Dotty Umbrella by Michelle Osment/ Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic)

LIANZA Elsie Locke (Non Fiction)
Nic’s New Zealand Nature: Invaders by Nic Valance & Rod Morris (New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd
Dear Alison by Simon Pollard (Penguin Group NZ)
Ben and Mark: Boys of the High Country by Christine Fernyhough & John Bougen (Random House New Zealand)
E3 Call Home by Janet Hunt (Random House New Zealand)
Get Growing: A NZ Step-by-Step Guide by Helen Cook (Random House New Zealand)

Te Kura Pounamu (te reo Maori)
Pūao Series: Te Kahikatea, Te Miro, Te Tutu, Te Horopito by Keri Pewhairangi (Huia Publishers)
Hū-Hū Koroheke by Kyle Mewburn, Rachel Driscoll translated by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Scholastic)
Te Wāhi me te Taiao Series: Hauraki, Waipā, Kāwhia Moana, Takaparawhau by Huia Publishers
Hewa by Darryn Joseph (Pearson (NZ) Ltd)
Hautipua Rererangi by Huia Publishers/ Andrew Burdan (Huia Publishers)

The 2010 Award Ceremony will take place in Wellington on Monday August 16th at Caffe L’affare, College Street.

The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2010 are supported by Fishpond.co.nz and Caffe L’affare.

Storylines Trust and HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand are proud to announce an exciting new annual award on the children’s literary scene — the Storylines Tessa Duder Award for unpublished writers of fiction for young adults, named in honour of one of New Zealand’s best writers for this genre.

Unpublished writers looking for an opportunity to emulate the outstanding writing careers of Kiwi authors such as William Taylor, Kate De Goldi, Bernard Beckett or Tessa Duder herself will be excited by this new initiative.

The award has been set up in recognition of Tessa’s outstanding contribution to children’s literature, both in terms of publishing output and her tireless work in the area of children’s literacy, particularly as one of the founding members of the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust.

‘As someone who over three decades has seen New Zealand’s young adult publishing go from strength to strength,’ says Duder, ‘I am truly delighted that the new award will provide a kick-start for an exciting new talent. Storylines and HarperCollins Publishers are to be congratulated for setting up this first award specifically for a YA manuscript, and I confidently look forward to seeing each year’s winners go on to establishing solid writing careers.’

The emergence of the Tessa Duder Award for young adult fiction reflects the extraordinary strength of fiction for teenagers. ‘It’s a huge growth area internationally,’ says HarperCollins’ Managing Director, Tony Fisk. ‘We are particularly pleased to be associated with an award carrying the name of one of our top children’s writers. HarperCollins has developed an enviable children’s publishing programme both internationally and in New Zealand. We are very excited about the prospects of discovering some wonderful new children’s writers for the programme.”

Chairperson of the Storylines Trust, Dr Libby Limbrick said the Trust was pleased that HarperCollins Publishers had the vision and foresight to support such an important award.

The Tessa Duder Award will be administered by Storylines and sponsored by HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand. It will complete the line up of prestigious awards made annually by the Trust to writers for children in New Zealand. Entries for the inaugural award close on 31 October, with winners to be announced at the Storylines annual Margaret Mahy Day and International Children’s Book Day on Saturday 2 April 2011. The winner will receive $1500, and the possibility of a publishing contract with HarperCollins Publishers. Full details and criteria for entry are listed at www.storylines.org.nz/awards

Susannah Whaley from Sacred Heart Girls’ College and Bronte Heron from New Plymouth Girls’ High School are joint winners of the New Zealand Book Council’s Speed Date an Author writing competition.

Speed Date an Author is the latest incarnation of the New Zealand Book Council’s Writers in Schools programme. Groups of top writing students spent fifteen minutes each with six of New Zealand’s best adult and Young Adult writers and illustrators on Monday 15 February. The writers involved were Duncan Sarkies, David Hill, Alison Wong, Briar Grace-Smith, Janet Hunt, and local journalist Virginia Winder.

Susannah won the prize for a moving short collection of poetry, while Bronte submitted a riveting story about a teen’s embarrassment at her Gran’s outrageous behavior. Because the submissions were so different, and yet of such high quality, we split the prize between the two students.

14-year-old Susannah says ‘It makes me very happy that somebody must have understood what I meant! It was great to meet the authors and some of the things they suggested were really helpful.’

Susannah and Bronte each win $50 worth of Book Tokens from Booksellers New Zealand, and a pile of books by the participating 2010 Speed Date an Author and other New Zealand writers, as well as winning their schools a free 12-month New Zealand Book Council membership. Susannah’s collection and Bronte’s story can now be read on the NZ Book Council’s Creative Writers’ Gallery.

ENDS

Contact: Sarah Forster at the New Zealand Book Council on 04 499 1569, or email education@bookcouncil.org.nz.

Background
School membership of the New Zealand Book Council allows schools to request a free author visit through the Writers in Schools programme, which sees leading New Zealand writers reach 50,000 students each year. Since its inception in 1974, many of New Zealand’s leading writers have inspired and motivated students in their reading and creative writing across the country.

Some of our best writers and illustrators take to the streets, parks, trams, buses, libraries and schools all over the country next week in celebration of this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.

Twenty-five of this year’s Awards finalists will visit twenty five regions – from Whangarei to Stewart Island - from the 10th to the 19th of May. They’ll be entertaining children of all ages; from tiny tots to teenagers with events as diverse as literary scavenger hunts, readings by torchlight in parks, book gigs, book character dance shows and farm visits.

Booksellers New Zealand chief executive, Lincoln Gould says virtually every corner of New Zealand can look forward to events where books and their characters come to life next week.

‘More writers and illustrators than ever before are touring to celebrate this years New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.

‘I urge parents, littlies and teenagers to check out what is happening in their region; there are some treats in store.’

This year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists are on tour as part of this annual nationwide festival of children’s reading and literature. Now in their 14th year, they are the nation’s most prestigious book awards, celebrating writing and publishing for children and teens.

The celebrations culminate in the announcement of the winners at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 19 May.

Some of this year’s highlight events are:

Northland: Tuesday 11 May, 4.00pm. Hear how John Lockyer brought the biography, Willie Apiata VC: The Reluctant Hero to life on the printed page at a public event at Whangarei Central Library.

Auckland: Saturday 15 May, 10.30am. Scavenger Hunt at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Join in the fun and see if you can find the characters from the New Zealand Post Book Children’s Awards Finalists.

Tauranga: Saturday 15th May, 9.30am. Visit to Claire's Farm at Oropi!
Come and celebrate non-fiction finalist, Ben and Mark: Boys of the High Country by milking cows, feeding pigs/chooks, collecting eggs and a tractor ride!

Gisborne: Thursday 13 May, 10.00am. Pied Piper Parade: Dress as a book character and meet outside the City Faith Centre, opposite the Gisborne District Council.

Rotorua: Tuesday 11 May, 6.00pm. Night Magic at the Government Gardens!
Celebrate the wonder of words and illustration, and through a blend of storytelling, drama and readings this night promises to bring a selection of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award finalists alive. Bring along a torch, picnic tea, and a rug. Dress up as your favourite book character!

Porirua: Wednesday 19 May, 9.30am. Dance spectacular at Te Rauparaha Arena. More than 1100 children have booked to come to watch Deborah Hale and performers from Dance Plus Performance Studio put on a performance of a number of the picture book finalists.

Wellington: Sunday 16 May, 1.30pm. LIVE in concert with Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig Goes to Dad’s Café finalist author Diana Neild and illustrator Philip Webb AND Wonky Donkey finalist author, Craig Smith. Wellington City Library - Mezzanine Floor.

Nelson: Sunday 16th May, 2.00pm. Lift Off! The Granary, Founders Park.
Dress up as your favourite winged book character, flying creature, aeronaut or astronaut and lift off with great books and fantastic stories.

Christchurch: Tuesday 18 May, 10.00am and 10.30am. Preschoolers Story Tram. Cathedral Square, Tram Stop one. Take a free circuit on one of Christchurch's restored trams while listening to, and participating in, stories, songs and rhymes performed by Liz Weir.

West Coast: Saturday 15 May, 11am – 3.00pm. Remembering the Brunner Mine Disaster. Hear readings from the book, The Mine’s Afire and learn about the history of Brunner Mine.

Southland/Stewart Island: Saturday 15 May, 10.30am. Meet the Wonky Donkey Man, Craig Smith! Craig hosts a roaring time of singing and dancing at Stewart Island Community Centre.

For full details of the hundreds of events happening in your region, and around the country, and for a full list of finalist books go to www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz.
New Zealand Post has been supporting the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards since 1997 to help promote literacy and literature throughout the country. The partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. 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 through the Books in Homes programme each year.

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.

The New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards writer tour is arranged by the New Zealand Book Council.

ENDS

Year 7 and 8 students from Waiau Pa School near Pukekohe were today announced as the winners of the third annual Barfoot & Thompson Magic of Reading Storybook Competition.

The young authors have won the chance to turn their story idea into a published book, which will be sold with all proceeds benefiting the Starship Foundation.

Waiau Pa’s entry, entitled Paul and the Permanent Propelling Pencil, was one of six finalists chosen from more than 150 entries submitted by primary and intermediate school classes from around Auckland and Northland.

Managing Director Peter Thompson says the calibre of all the entries was high.

'The students that participated, and the teachers that helped make their entry possible, all deserve to be very proud of what they achieved.'

He said the finalists’ story ideas were selected not only for their imagination, but for the way the students translated their idea into a real story.

'Learning more about the writing process and the important elements that come together to form a book, such as the setting, characters and plot, is an important part of the competition. Our finalists demonstrated a good grasp of that, as well as creative flair, in their entries.'

The other finalists were:
• The Lonely Picture Book from Diocesan School for Girls;
• The Zoo by Dominion Road Primary;
• Inside the Closet from Lincoln Heights School;
• The Magic Mirror also from Lincoln Heights School; and
• The Pencil from Kohimarama School.

The winning story idea from Waiau Pa School was selected by a panel of judges, including renowned children’s author John Parker, rugby star Keven Mealamu, Starship Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Young and Barfoot & Thompson Chief Executive Wendy Alexander.

Judge Wendy Alexander says Waiau Pa’s storybook idea stood out because of its well developed plot.

'The students from Waiau Pa School crafted a wonderful story that concludes with an important message for young people,' says Mrs Alexander.

'Their idea was also supported by imaginative details about the setting and characters. We think children and adults alike will really enjoy reading the finished product!'

The students will now develop their story idea into a manuscript with the support of John Parker, and amateur artist Keven Mealamu will lend his hand to illustrate the book.

Once published, the book will be sold and, because Barfoot & Thompson fully fund the programme, every cent from proceeds will be donated to the Starship Foundation.

Mr Thompson says that for the winning class, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

'The children from Waiau Pa School not only get to publish a real book, they also get to make a profound contribution towards helping other young New Zealanders.

'Our past two winning classes have together helped Barfoot & Thompson raise a combined $60,000 for Starship.'

Previous titles, Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar, by the inaugural winners from Colwill School in West Auckland, and The Weather Fish by the 2009 winners from Ahipara School in Northland, each helped raise $30,000.

A portion of the books are also provided to Starship Children’s Health and Whangarei Hospital’s Children’s Ward to be given to young patients that stay overnight to read and take home.

ENDS

• Barfoot & Thompson knows Auckland best. It is the city’s leading real estate company, selling around one in three Auckland residential homes, significantly ahead of all other competitor brands.
• The Magic of Reading programme is fully funded by Barfoot & Thompson and sees 15,000 books put in the hands of Starship patients each year.
• Keven Mealamu is Barfoot & Thompson’s Sponsorship Ambassador. As well as being a talented rugby player, Keven is also a keen amateur artist.
• John Parker is one of New Zealand’s best known authors, having written nearly 130 books for children ranging from picture-books to novels for teens.

For further information, contact Peter Thompson, Barfoot & Thompson, telephone
09 307 5523 or 027 453 5931. www.barfoot.co.nz

Released on behalf of Barfoot & Thompson by Network PR (Megan Hopkins-Stone), telephone 09 306 5802. www.networkpr.co.nz

By Victoria Gallagher in The Bookseller, 24.04.10

Children's titles covering topics such as racism, war and global warming have been nominated in the CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlist. While, Bloomsbury and Walker both have a duo of titles on the shortlist for this year's CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. It is also the first time for 30 years that a title has appeared on both the CILIP Carnegie and CILIP Kate Greenaway shortlists, with Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, illustrated by Chris Riddell (Bloomsbury) appearing on both.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children. This years shortlist includes Nation by Terry Pratchett and two titles published by Bloomsbury. Margaret Pemberton, chair of this year's CILIP Carnegie judging panel, said: "It's interesting that the eight titles that really stood out for us buck the current trend for escapism and the paranormal in young adult fiction." She added: "The writers have been brave with their choice of subject matter and have confronted some very real issues, but the quality of the writing carries each and every story. Whether the setting is a graveyard, another planet, a fantasy version of our own planet, the suburbs of a German town, a mental asylum or deep in the history of slavery, each offers a vivid and compelling narrative, whether for children of 9 and over, or for young adults."

The Kate Greenaway award for children's illustration has a shortlist of eight books which range in target age from two to nine plus. Two titles with text by Neil Gaiman made the shortlist, with The Graveyard Book also gracing the CILIP Carnegie Medal award. Also included on the shortlist are titles published by Templar, Scholastic, HarperCollins and Andersen Press.

Pemberton, a librarian at Bristol Schools Library Service, said: "The 2010 shortlist proves that picture books are not just for pre-schoolers. Illustrations can enrich the reading experience of all age-groups, and the eight titles in contention for the 2010 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal are outstanding examples of this."

The winner of the Carnegie Medal will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in central London on 24th June. Last year the prize was won by Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd (David Fickling)

The full shortlist is as follows:

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (Bloomsbury)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Bloomsbury)
The Vanishing of Katerina Linden by Helen Grant (Penguin)
Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn (OUP)
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Walker)
Nation by Terry Pratchett (Doubleday)
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve (Scholastic)
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (Orion)

The winners of the Kate Greenaway Medal will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in central London on 24th June.

The full shortlist is as follows:

Leon and the Place Between by Grahame Baker-Smith (Templar)
Harry & Hopper Freya Blackwood (text by Margaret Wild) (Scholastic)
The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins)
Millie's Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura (Andersen Press)
Crazy Hair by Dave McKean (text by Neil Gaiman) (Bloomsbury)
The Graveyard Book by Chris Riddell (text by Neil Gaiman) (Bloomsbury)
The Dunderheads by David Roberts (text by Paul Fleischman) (Walker)
There are cats in this book by Viviane Schwarz (Walker)

Penguin Group (NZ) and Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Puffin Short Story Awards.

Schoolchildren across the country will get the chance to show off their writing skills in this unique competition, launching today as part of Puffin’s 70th birthday celebrations. Entries are be accepted in three categories: Junior (School Years 4-6), Intermediate (School Years 7-8) and Senior (School Years 9-11).

The competition, which aims to nurture young writing talent, will culminate in an awards ceremony at the Storylines Auckland Family Day on 22 August 2010. The three category winners will each take away an Apple iPod Touch or Dell laptop computer, as well as 70 Puffin books for their school library.

“We wanted to do something special to mark Puffin's 70th birthday,” says Penguin's General Manager of Publicity and Promotions, Sandra Lees. “What better way than to get behind our young writers of the future?”

Storylines Executive Officer Christine Young says the Trust is delighted to partner with Penguin in this new initiative. “Our mission is to promote the importance of reading and literature for all children, and this project will help us further that goal.”

The theme for the competition is “My Puffin”, and will be open to broad interpretation. “Stories could be inspired by a favourite Puffin book or favourite Puffin character, or could be about the Puffin bird,” suggested Lees. “Contestants could even imagine that they are writing a story to be published by Puffin.”

In each category, a team of judges recruited by Storylines will short-list up to ten finalists, and the overall winner will be selected by a high-profile children's author.
Penguin has secured Dawn McMillan to judge the Junior category, Joy Cowley in the Intermediate category, and Tania Roxborogh in the Senior category.

“This award is a great investment in the future of NZ writing,” declared Cowley, who is one of New Zealand's most prolific and successful writers of children's books.
McMillan is the author of the Puffin favourite Why do Dogs Sniff Bottoms?, while Roxborogh's young adult novel Banquo's Son has just been nominated for a NZ Post Children's Book Award.

The promoters are confident that the competition will receive widespread support from schools, libraries and others who care about the future of children's literature.

The competition is open from 18 March and closes at 5pm on 11 June.

Download an entry form here
Download teachers notes here

School students around the country are voting now for their favourite book in the celebrated Children’s Choice Award; one of the highlights of the 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.

Considered by children’s authors to be one of the highest accolades they can receive in New Zealand for their writing, the Children’s Choice Award attracts tens of thousands of school-aged voters each year.

Students can exercise their voting power online now at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz where they’ll also find a full list of finalists, or by picking up a voting card from their school, library or local bookshop.

Children are encouraged to read and make their selection from the twenty finalist books in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. They will be weighing up some of this country’s best contemporary writers along with some new-comers to the children’s book writing scene. On this level playing field, books across all categories compete for one prize. For example Christine Fernyhough and John Bougen’s Non-fiction book, Ben & Mark: Boys of the High Country will compete with Young Adult Fiction novel Brainjack by Brian Falkner, Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop’s Junior Fiction book, Friends: Snake and Lizard, and Picture Book Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn and Rachel Driscoll.

The winner will be revealed once voting closes at 5pm on Friday 30 April 2010.

The Children’s Choice Award was introduced in 1997 as a way of giving school-aged children nationwide the opportunity to have a say in this country’s most prestigious children’s book awards. Past winners have included Gaelyn Gordon, Bob Kerr and much-loved writer and illustrator, Lynley Dodd.

The winner of the Children’s Choice Award will be announced at the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards ceremony at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 19 May 2010. They will receive $2000, but they’re not the only one to benefit. Once the votes are tallied, one voting card or online vote is randomly pulled ‘from the hat’. The child whose name appears on this vote will win $1000 worth of Booksellers Tokens for their school library.

While the votes are being counted many of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists take to the road from Monday 10 May, participating in a nationwide festival of children’s books and literature. They will be visiting schools and libraries around the country in the lead up to the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 19 May. A full schedule of events will be available on www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz from mid-April.

New Zealand Post has been supporting the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards since 1997 to help promote literacy and literature throughout the country. The partnership has seen the awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. 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 by supporting the Books in Homes programme each year.

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.

Walker Books is very sorry to advise that children’s author Anthony Horowitz has sadly had to cancel his forthcoming tour to Australia and New Zealand that was scheduled to take place in May 2010 but is keen to come on a future occasion.

'I am very sorry that I am unable to come to Australia/NZ this year as I had originally planned. I have just had two television related projects land on my desk which will monopolise my time. Unfortunately I simply cannot meet all my writing deadlines whilst undertaking an international tour.

I am so sorry to be missing out on visiting you this year; I’m eager to tour Australia and NZ to coincide with publication of the new Alex Rider. and I look forward to that prospect.

Once again, I apologise for not being able to make it for now but I want to pass on my heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for my books which means so much to me.' says Anthony.

Despite this development, Walker Books envisages a fantastic year ahead as we celebrate 2010 as the tenth anniversary of Alex Rider and Anthony being our bestselling fiction author with international recognition as one of the world’s most popular children’s authors.

For further media enquiries please contact:

Juliet Izatt
Publicist – Walker Books Australia
Ph: (02) 8666 8333
E: Juliet.izatt@walkerbooks.com.au

In a first of its kind, a group of local authors have come together to record a collection of children’s stories on CD, with a distinctly Wellington flavour.

The brainchild of Wellington City Libraries staff, Whispers in the Wind is aimed at 5-12 year-olds and will be available for sale from 27 November at an introductory price of $15. It can also be borrowed from any Wellington City library.

The CD features 10 Wellington children's authors: Joy Cowley, Janice Marriott, Fleur Beale, Rachel Hayward, Barbara Else, Barbara Murison, Kevin Boon, Philippa Werry, Denis Wright and Ali Middleton, many of who have been recorded for the first time.

The Council's Social Portfolio Leader, Councillor Ngaire Best says "Wellington has a talented pool of authors and it's the first time a group have come together to read and record their stories on CD for children.

"Whispers in the Wind is a great way for Wellington authors to bring their stories alive, ignite children's imaginations and inspire a love of reading."

The 10 children's stories are either set in Wellington or mention Wellington and range from stories about a hangi, to hermits and witches.

Featured author Janice Marriott says the CD continues the oral tradition of stories being passed down to the next generation and she enjoyed being able to contribute to the project.

"I wanted to be involved in this project because I'm committed to Wellington and writing, and this project combines these two things in one package for children."

The Whispers in the Wind CD, which is available just in time for Christmas, follows the successful launch of a Baby Rock & Rhyme CD produced by the Wellington City Libraries last year.

For more information visit www.wcl.govt.nz/storiescd.

Aimee Penman from Saints Peter and Paul School, Lower Hutt, has won the New Zealand Book Council’s inaugural Speed Date an Author student writing competition for her entry, ‘A Treasure Trunk of Memories’.

The year 7 student said she was amazed and proud of herself. ‘I am honoured that my narrative was selected as the winner. And I’m excited about winning more books to read!’ said Aimee.

The judges said Aimee’s story was an evocative and moving piece of writing about an elderly woman climbing her childhood tree and remembering her first love. They were particularly impressed at her poetic use of language and strong characterisation.

Aimee wins a $100 worth of Book Tokens from Booksellers New Zealand and a pile of books by the 2009 Speed Date an Author writers, as well as winning her school a free 12-month membership of the New Zealand Book Council. Her story can now be found in the NZ Book Council’s Creative Writers’ Gallery.

Two other young writers were also recognized in the competition, which was open to the 57 students who participated in the Speed Date an Author workshop. First runner-up Daisy Lutyens (Year 8) from Wadestown School placed with the fantasy-inspired ‘Not a Chance in Heaven’. Second runner-up Logan Byrne (Year 8), with the tension-filled story ‘Balloons’, was also from Saints Peter and Paul School. Both of these young writers win a pile of books, and have also had their work published online in the Creative Writers’ Gallery.

Saints Peter and Paul teacher, Patricia Roche said, ‘I am proud of Aimee’s and Logan’s efforts, and pleased that their efforts and abilities have been recognised on a wider stage.’

ENDS

Background
Speed Date An Author is the latest incarnation of the New Zealand Book Council’s Writers in Schools programme. Groups of top writing students spend fifteen minutes each with six of New Zealand’s best children’s writers and illustrators as they share their experience, knowledge and passion for reading and writing. The 2009 writers were: Tessa Duder, Gavin Bishop, Mandy Hager, Melinda Syzmanik, Maria Gill, and Ruth Paul.

School membership of the New Zealand Book Council allows schools to request a free author visit through the Writers in Schools programme, which sees leading New Zealand writers reach 50,000 students each year. Since its inception in 1974, many of New Zealand’s leading writers have inspired and motivated students in their reading and creative writing across the country.

Photo Opportunity with Aimee Penman and Logan Byrne: Wednesday 11th November, 1:30pm at Saints Peter and Paul School, Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt.

Contact: Sarah Forster at the New Zealand Book Council on 04 499 1569, or email education@bookcouncil.org.nz.

David Hill has been awarded the 2008–2009 Prix Adolire for Dérapages, the French translation of Coming Back.

The Prix Adolire is an award given every year by high schools in Brittany, France. It is a readers’ choice award, with high school students voting for their favourite book from a long list of sixty titles. Previous winners of the award include Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson.

Dérapages is published in France by Flammerion and the book was released there in 2007. Flammerion are also the publishers of David Hill’s Ennemis Intimes, the French edition of Right Where it Hurts.

David Hill has enjoyed significant success with foreign editions and has won prizes in the US, Germany and the U.K. His books have been published in the USA, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Slovenia, Holland, China, Estonia, Japan and Korea. David has recently returned from a successful tour of Slovenia where very popular Slovenian editions of his young adult novels are published by Mis.

His most recent title is Fire on High, published July 2009.

ENDS

Contact: katie@mallinsonrendel.co.nz, (04) 802 5012
David Hill is available for interviews.

Regional Coordinators are appointed to organise local festivities and events celebrating the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. This energetic group of volunteers works tirelessly to bring the New Zealand Post Book Awards alive in every part of the country.

Please contact your Regional Coordinator if you are interested in being involved in organising events and activities or if you would like to host or take part in an event with a touring finalist.

Booksellers NZ is currently seeking Regional Coordinators for 2010.

If you are interested in being the Coordinator for your region in 2010, please contact the National Coordinator, Mary Gavigan:

Mary Gavigan
24 Perth Street
Ngaio
Wellington
(04) 971 4416
maryg@paradise.net.nz

Regional Coordinator contact details will be listed here in early 2010.

Fancy a guided visit to author Janice Marriott’s cottage garden? A storyteller’s shawl, spun and hand-knitted by master-storyteller Joy Cowley? A visit to Weta Workshop with Martin Baynton and Richard Taylor? Or lunch with Kate De Goldi at the incomparable Mia Pia’s Trattoria?

Wellington authors and illustrators feature strongly in Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust’s fundraising auction this month. The auction, held entirely through www.storylines.auction4charity.co.nz features a range of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and experiences, and donated art works that include an original watercolour sketch of Hairy Maclary created specially for the auction by Dame Lynley Dodd, a cartoon sketch of the winning bidder by Ant Sang, one of Bro’ Town’s creators and a cartoon tribute to Michael Jackson by artist Angus Gomes.

“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of people, not only in the children’s literature community but right across the board,” says Storylines Trust chairperson Dr Libby Limbrick. “Among the wonderful range of items there will be something for everyone. A highlight for us is to have Maurice Gee’s typewriter, given to him by his mother, and which he used from the 1950s to 1970s to type up the final version of works ranging from The Big Season to In My Father’s Den and Under the Mountain. I am sure this is a precious part of our literary heritage that would be a real asset to an institution or collector.”

There is also a complete set of all Margaret Mahy’s books in print in 2009 – all signed by the author, several original signed illustrations, and a bundle of recently released books (adults and children’s) to enjoy along with a weekend at a private family bach at Taupo.

Experiences outside Wellington include the opportunity for a walk-on part in TV2’s Go Girls, a dinner for six cooked by chef, food writer and Slow Food advocate Alessandra Zecchini, an opportunity to visit author/illustrator Gavin Bishop’s studio in Christchurch, and a behind-the-scenes visit to the primates at Auckland Zoo, hosted by senior primate keeper Christine Tintinger, star of the TV series The Zoo.

All proceeds will help support the Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children’s Writers and Illustrators, which aims to actively engage children with books and reading.

Full details of all items are online at www.storylines.auction4charity.co.nz from 15 October at 9am when the auction opens, until 9pm on 29 October when it closes. Bidding takes place through a secure online system developed by author and Storylines supporter Brian Falkner. A hard-copy catalogue and ‘proxy’ bids or offline bids can be made by contacting Storylines on childlitnz@storylines.org.nz.

For more information on Storylines ‘Literary Allusions’ fundraising auction, call Storylines executive officer Christine Young on 09-4459891 email childlitnz@storylines.org.nz or visit our website: www.storylines.org.nz

New Zealanders can now freely download—and store in their pockets—hundreds of our most well-known books, courtesy of Victoria University’s New Zealand Electronic Text Centre (NZETC).

More than 1000 New Zealand electronic books (eBooks) are now available for download on the NZETC website at http://www.nzetc.org, giving people easy access to some of the great works in New Zealand literature including Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party and Other Stories, Bill Pearson’s Coal Flat, and Robin Hyde’s The Godwits Fly.

NZETC Project Manager Jason Darwin says the release marks a significant step in New Zealand’s eBook revolution.

“The convenience of modern eBook readers means that users are able to carry large numbers of eBooks with them on pocket-sized devices, often supporting features which make their reading more pleasurable than with previous electronic devices. These features include long battery life (7,000+ page-turns), non-reflective screen for easy reading under all lighting, and wireless access for downloading eBooks,” says Mr Darwin.

Although New Zealand does not yet share the same choice of eBook device hardware as available overseas, devices sold locally such as Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch make the reading of eBooks a simple and portable experience.

The New Zealand eBooks, made available using the major emerging ePub standard, represent many of the texts already accessible for online browsing on the NZETC website, and are suited to viewing on modern eBook devices such as the iPhone, Sony Reader, and IRex ILiad.

The ePub standard is an open standard supported by many major publishers and hardware vendors, with many of the major online bookstores making titles available for purchase in this format. Waterstones bookstore, one of the largest chains in the United Kingdon, offer more than 12,000 titles exclusively in the ePub format, while Sony has stated it's intention to sell only books in the ePub format by the end of this year.

Moves such as this are seen as countering the early advantage gained by Amazon in the market for modern eBook readers with its Kindle, which relies on a propriety non-ePub format.

Mr Darwin says with the continuing acceptance of the ePub standard and the release of more and more eBook devices, the local book publishing industry is facing an “iPod moment”.

'Just like music, New Zealand books will soon be easily available online for purchase, download and use on portable readers.'

Some of the major titles released this week by the NZETC include:

• The Life of Captain James Cook, by J. C. Beaglehole
• The Garden Party and Other Stories, by Katherine Mansfield
• Coal Flat, by Bill Pearson
• The Godwits Fly, by Robin Hyde
• We Will Not Cease, by Archibald Baxter
• Infantry Brigadier, by Howard Karl Kippenberger
• Tutira, by William Guthrie Smith
• My Life, by Jean Batten

The NZETC is a free online archive of New Zealand and Pacific texts and heritage materials, based at Victoria University. It offers an ever expanding, fully searchable, set of images and full-text books, manuscripts and journals. The NZETC collaborates with organisations interested in digitising their collections and making digital content available online, providing expertise and technical assistance, and is interested in projects aiming to make content more widely available to a New Zealand audience through the use of open standards.

For more information, please contact Jason Darwin on (04) 463 7418 or (04) 463 6059 or email jason.darwin@vuw.ac.nz

The comedian David Walliams, best known for his grotesque comedy creations on the BBC series Little Britain, has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, which honours the funniest books for children.

Walliams’ debut book The Boy in the Dress is illustrated by Quentin Blake, the iconic illustrator famed for his own long-term collaborations with Dahl.

Walliams will face stiff competition on the shortlist from a number of highly regarded and well-established children’s authors including Allan Ahlberg, Nick Sharratt and former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine.

The Roald Dahl Funny Prize was founded in 2008 by Michael Rosen as part of his Children’s Laureateship. It is the first prize of its kind; founded to honour those books that simply make children laugh. The winner of each category will receive £2,500, which will be presented at an awards ceremony in London on 10 November.

The judging panel comprised the comedian Bill Bailey, author, founder and Chair Michael Rosen, author and illustrator Mini Grey, author Louise Rennison and author and winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2008 Andy Stanton.

The shortlist is:

The Funniest Book for Children Aged Six and Under
The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently, illus. Mei Matsuoka (Andersen Press)
Octopus Socktopus by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books)
Elephant Joe is a Spaceman! by David Wojtowycz (Alison Green Books)
Crocodiles Are the Best Animals of All! by Sean Taylor, illus. Hannah Shaw (Frances Lincoln)
Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd (Orchard Books)
The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg, illus. Bruce Ingman (Walker Books)

The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to Fourteen
The Galloping Ghost by Hilda Offen (Catnip Publishing)
Eating Things on Sticks by Anne Fine, illus. Kate Aldous (Doubleday)
Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky by Philip Ardagh, illus. Jim Paillot (Faber and Faber)
The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams, illus. Quentin Blake (HarperCollins)
Purple Class and the Half-Eaten Sweater by Sean Taylor, illus. Helen Bate (Frances Lincoln)
Ribblestrop by Andy Mulligan (Simon & Schuster)

Bill Bailey commented:
‘It was great fun judging the Booktrust Roald Dahl Funny Prize, mainly because the standard of the books was so high…it’s so hard to choose between them, and at one point it got so tense we got through a whole plate of chocolate brownies…it’s tough this judging lark.’

Budding young writers will take the fast lane to New Zealand’s top creative talent when they get to “speed date” a room of authors later this month.

Up to 50 intermediate-level children will get the benefit of years of accumulated writing experience at the New Zealand Book Council’s Speed Date and Author event in Wellington on September 18.

Six of New Zealand’s top writers for children will speak with small groups of the students for 15 minutes each on a key aspect of writing. Gavin Bishop, Tessa Duder, Mandy Hager, Melinda Szymanik, Maria Gill and Ruth Paul will cover illustration, characterization, structure, tone, generating ideas and playing with words in their speed dating sessions with the children. A further session on editing will finish up the morning’s crash course in writing technique.

The students are being asked to use what they have learned to write a 500-word story in their own time, and can enter their finished work in the Speed Date an Author story competition. Prizes will include books by the writer-tutors and publication on the Book Council’s website www.bookcouncil.org.nz.

Book Council Chief Executive Noel Murphy said the Speed Date an Author event was sure to be a fun, stimulating, and valuable experience for the students involved.
‘Our successful Writers in Schools programme has shown us that this kind of contact with authors is extremely motivating for children to do more creative writing, and to explore and enjoy more in their reading.

‘It will be wonderful to see how the children taking part in Speed Date an Author write with a bit of advice and inspiration from some of our leading writers. As well as improving their skills, working alongside those authors will allow the children to see where their own creativity might lead them. It’s another way for us to nurture young people who just might be among our next generation of great writers.’

The New Zealand Book Council is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes books, reading and New Zealand writing. Its flagship programme Writers in Schools sends top Kiwi writers into hundreds of schools each year to inspire and encourage young readers and writers

Students from schools throughout Wellington and the Hutt Valley will be taking part in the speed dating event, with young writers from Palmerston North also coming down especially for the experience.

**********

The Book Council’s Speed Date an Author event will run from 9am – 12 noon on Friday 18 September, at Island Bay Primary School. All authors appear in association with Spinning Gold New Zealand Children’s Writers’ and Illustrators’ conference, which goes from 18-20 September. Speed Date an Author is sponsored by Island Bay Primary School, The Children’s Bookshop Kilbirnie, National Library, Scholastic Ltd, Penguin Group NZ, Random House NZ, and Book Tokens Ltd.

For further information, contact Sarah Forster, Education Manager, New Zealand Book Council. Ph; (04) 499 1569, email: education@bookcouncil.org.nz
- Interviews with writers are available by arrangement, both on the day and leading up to it
- Spinning Gold, the New Zealand Writers’ and Illustrators conference, will be held from 18-20 September; all writers appear in association with this conference

11.08.09: Library Week 2009 was officially launched in Wellington last night with the presentation of the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards at Caffe L’affare.

Library Week has been celebrated in New Zealand for over 35 year and is a wonderful chance to promote the many benefits and opportunities libraries offer our communities.

Public, school, tertiary and special libraries are celebrating the Escape, Explore, Discover - Ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama theme with various events and online competitions.

On Wednesday 12 August at 10.30am libraries across the country will be taking part in New Zealand’s Biggest Storytime; a simultaneous reading of Itiiti’s Gift written by Melanie Drewery and illustrated by Fifi Colston. Libraries will be inviting special guests to read at this every popular event. Celebrity readers include Fifi Colston, reading at Wellington City Libraries and Te Radar at Te Atatu Peninsula Library in Waitakere.

For Living Heritage Day on Thursday 13 August, public and school libraries will team up to celebrate Living Heritage; an online bilingual initiative that enables our young people to be storytellers in their own language by creating websites which preserve New Zealand history and culture in a digital form for future generations.

Friday 14 August will see libraries celebrating Love Your Library Day with special romance themed displays, activities and chocolate give-aways. To celebrate the day both Christchurch City Libraries and Wellington City Libraries are running Blind Date a Book which aims to introduce readers to new authors and genres.

The Library Week Interactive Story Competition is open to year 6, 7 and 8 students and runs until Friday 14 August. New Zealand author Fleur Beale has opened the story and children will contribute creative writing each day to build an ongoing story.

Dylan Horrocks, well known comic illustrator has started a graphic novel story which is being added to weekly by budding illustrators from across the country. Weekly winners are chosen from two age categories; 13 – 18yrs and 19yrs+ and the competition closes on Sunday 16th August.

The Love Your Library Video Competition is open to New Zealanders of all ages who want to make a short video about their local library for the public vote.

LIANZA President Barbara Garriock says 'the Library Week theme sends the message that libraries enable you to escape into a world of discovery and exploration that will bring about an enriching and positive experience'.

'It is pleasing to see the number of people getting involved this year via the Love Your Library micro blog and the various competitions available on the Library Week website' Ms Garriock said. 'Library Week is a great opportunity to promote the fact that libraries offer free access to the same wide range of technology people can access from home or work'.

Library Week is managed by LIANZA and is supported by Te Rōpū Whakahau, Creative New Zealand, APLM, UNESCO, Caffe L’affare and the National Library of New Zealand.

More information about Library Week can be found at: www.libraryweek.org.nz.

About LIANZA

The Library & Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa: Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa (LIANZA) serves and promotes the interests of library and information industry professionals by providing continuing professional development, awards and recognition, publications and resources, advocacy and collegial support. LIANZA plays a key coordination role in the industry and through its regional and special interest group infrastructure provides organisational structure for members seeking mutual support. LIANZA is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). For further information about LIANZA visit http://www.lianza.org.nz/


Contact
Megan Button, LIANZA Communications Manager, 0212 322 007, 04 473 5834, megan@lianza.org.nz

New Zealand Book Month is our national book celebration, making heroes of all our great New Zealand books. We believe the words in our books are some of the most important in the country and, with ASB, we want Kiwi kids to prove it.

This competition works fantastically with the Key Competencies outlined by the Ministry of Education – it is active, relevant, empowering and the national prizes make it very real!

All children at Primary and Intermediate school are eligible to enter, and we encourage class entries. The competition runs from 1st October to 30th October 2009 so it can be started in Term 3 ready for drop off after school holidays, or even be a Term 4 project.

Best of all it’s really easy! Kids just pick a Kiwi book, write a letter to the author, and deposit it in a Wordbank at any ASB branch.

Key Competencies: In choosing a Kiwi fiction or non-fiction book, and telling us what they loved, connected to, what it made them think etc. we’re looking to encourage application of learning and independent creativity – making students really think about books they have read. They might have read the book at home or at an after-school group, or within other authentic contexts. We anticipate the competition will encourage thought and discussion with others about what or why they loved about that particular book and author above another. And of course, the prize packs will reward and empower students’ involvement, both as a group – towards the community prize – and as individuals towards prizes for best letters.

We do believe our Kiwi books are inspirational, they tell our stories, in our voice, and take us to new places where we can meet fantastic characters and have amazing adventures. So we’d love to hear from your kids.

There are lots of prizes!

Community prizes: The five ASB branches with the most letters deposited in their Wordbanks (worked out by formula so even small communities can win), can nominate a school for a visit by a great Kiwi author and a prize pack for the school library.

Individual prizes: The best individual letters win a trip to Auckland for a behind-the-scenes tour (complete with elephants!) at the Auckland Zoo, and a TVNZ experience. There are prizes for runners up too.

Get your kids involved! It’s a perfect time to start them reading Kiwi authors and then writing their letter for the Wordbank competition. Entries open on the 1st of October and close at 4pm on the 30th of October.

Entry forms, posters and further information can be downloaded at www.nzbookmonth.co.nz or www.asb.co.nz

10.08.09: New Zealand’s oldest book prize, the Esther Glen Award, was presented at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony in Wellington last night.

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. 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 uming and ahing 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 Maori 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 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 sixty eight 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 woolen 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.


//ends

About LIANZA

The Library & Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa: Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa (LIANZA) serves and promotes the interests of library and information industry professionals by providing continuing professional development, awards and recognition, publications and resources, advocacy and collegial support. LIANZA plays a key coordination role in the industry and through its regional and special interest group infrastructure provides organisational structure for members seeking mutual support. LIANZA is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). For further information about LIANZA visit http://www.lianza.org.nz/

Contact
For a copy of the judges report, book cover images and interviews with the award winners contact:
Wendy Walker, 021 890 991, wendy@lianza.org.nz
or
Megan Button, 0212 322 007, 04 473 5834, megan@lianza.org.nz

This year has seen a bumper crop of entries in the Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers 2009, some coming from as far as Australia and the United States of America.
Huia Publishers Managing Director Robyn Bargh says that the competition grows every year, but 2009 has seen a sharp rise in entries in most categories.

‘There’s been a 40 percent increase in entries for the short story and novel categories and a 60 percent increase in the short film category,’ says Ms Bargh. ‘We’ve seen a lot of new names and fresh faces this year, and that’s exciting for a Māori publisher.

‘As the Pikihuia competition grows, so does the literary community within Māori, and we are proud to be able to provide support and opportunities to emerging writers.’

The Māori Literature Trust and Huia Publishers have announced the finalists for the awards. Thirty-two finalist short stories and novel extracts will be published in the collection Huia Short Stories 8, which is due out in September.

There were 14 finalists from Wellington, eight from the Bay of Plenty (Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tauranga and Kawerau), seven from Gisborne, three from Auckland, two from the Waikato and one each from Christchurch, Palmerston North, Whangarei, Havelock North, Hawera and Foxton.

The Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers started in 1995 and have provided a successful platform for emerging Māori writers. Past winners and finalists include renowned authors Paula Morris, James George and Kelly Ana Morey.

Robyn Bargh, Managing Director of Huia Publishers says that every year she is delighted at the depth of talent coming through and is always humbled at the way young people become more and more confident at expressing themselves, both in English and te reo Māori.

Ms Bargh adds that Pikihuia finalists have gone on to publish novels, short story collections and participate in creative writing workshops as a result of their participation.

This year, the judges were broadcaster Julian Wilcox , filmmaker Rhonda Kite and award-winning authors David Geary and Briar Grace-Smith – a former Pikihuia finalist. Huia Publishers judged the secondary schools category.

The awards are held every two years. The launch of Huia Short Stories 8 and winner announcements will take place at the Pikihuia Awards ceremony at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on 12 September 2009.

FINALISTS’ LIST

Finalists in the Short Story in English category

Jacquie McRae (Tainui), Wellsford
Rob Tuwhare (Ngā Puhi), Auckland
Ann French (Ngā Puhi), Tauranga
Puna Heremaia (Taranaki, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Awa), Rotoiti
Raschel-Miette (Ngā Puhi), Gisborne
Glenis Philip-Barbara (Ngāti Porou), Gisborne
Robert Madden (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Gisborne, with two entries
Kim Torrez (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Gisborne
Wendy French (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Awa), Palmerston North
Whai Conroy (Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Porirua City
K-T Harrison (Waikato, Hauraki), Porirua City, with two entries
Justine Murray (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui), Wellington
Charlie Holland (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Wellington
Kelly Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto), Kapiti Coast, with three entries
Piripi Evans (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu), Wellington
Tina Makereti (Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa), Kapiti Coast
Peter Waaka (Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao), Queenstown

Finalists in the Novel Extract category

Paul Gilbert (Ngāi Tahu), Hamilton
Ann French (Ngā Puhi), Tauranga
Marama Salsano (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Tūhoe), Gisborne
K-T Harrison (Waikato, Hauraki), Porirua City
Rawinia Parata (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu), Wellington

Finalists in the Māori Language Short Story category

Ruihapounamu Ruwhiu (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Awa), Rotorua
Mōrehu Nikora (Ngāi Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki), Gisborne, with three entries
Michael Ross (Ngati Hauā), Lower Hutt
Charisma Rangipunga (Kāi Tahu, Taranaki, Ngāti Kahungunu), Christchurch

Finalists in the Secondary Schools category

Moria Awatea Holdaway-Howard (Ngā Puhi), Whangārei
Tyler Edwardson (Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Kawerau
Manita Grant (Te Arawa, Te Whakatohea, Te Whānau-a-Apanui), Rotorua
Makuini Warbrick (Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao), Rotorua
Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu (Ngāti Pōhatu, Ngāti Porou, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga), Gisborne
Tarapuhi Bryers Brown (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Uenuku, Ngāti Rangi), Havelock North
Summer James (Ngātitara), Hawera
Jacqui Robinson (Ngāti Raukawa), Foxton
Tihema Baker (Ngāti Raukawa), Ōtaki, with two entries
KahuRangi Tapiata Watene (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou), Wellington
Charlizza Harris (Ngāti Kahurangi, Ngāti Porou), Upper Hutt

23.06.09: The Library Week website has now been updated with the 2009 'Escape Explore Discover' theme and it looks fantastic, so go to www.libraryweek.org.nz and check it out!

The site has everything you need to know about Library Week events and competitions. Bookmark the site and keep coming back to check as more information will be added as Library Week draws nearer.

Key library week events include:

NZ’s Biggest Storytime – Wednesday 12th August at 10.30am
Get involved in this nationwide story time event where libraries all over New Zealand will be simultaneously reading aloud Itiiti’s Gift by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Fifi Colston, (Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd). Libraries will be inviting special guests along to read the story.

Living Heritage Day – Thursday 13th August
Living Heritage is an online bilingual (Maori-English) initiative that enables New Zealand schools to develop and publish an online resource, based on a heritage treasure in their community. On Living Heritage Day public libraries around New Zealand will team up with local schools to celebrate our culture and heritage, by showcasing schools stories and sharing learning journeys.

Love Your Library Day – Friday 14th August
Libraries across the country will be celebrating Love Your Library Day with special themed exhibitions, displays, events and give-aways. If you love your library get down there on Friday 14th and show celebrate!

Living Libraries
The Living Library is a programme which twists the concept of a traditional library: you don't borrow a book, you borrow a person. Each living 'book' has a story to tell and they can be borrowed for a short time to talk about their life; people sitting face-to-face sharing their stories, discussing stereotypes and prejudices. A number of libraries held very successful Living Library events last year, contact your library and ask if they are running this event.

Competitions
We want as many people as possible getting involved in Library Week so this year we have 3 different competitions on offer and there is something for everyone:

Interactive Story – this creative writing competition was so successful in 2008 that we are running it again. The competition is open to students in years 6, 7 and 8. Fleur Beale has written the start of the story and children across the country will continue the story with many twists and turns! Competition runs during Library Week (10 – 14 August).

Graphic Novel competition - This competition works the same way as the interactive story but with illustration. Dylan Horrocks, well known comic illustrator will be starting off the story and there are two age categories; 13 – 18yrs and 19yrs+ so is a great opportunity for tertiary design students to showcase their work. The competition runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 14th August.

Love Your Library Video Competition - We’re asking people of all ages who love their library to make a short video and load it up to YouTube via the Library Week website. The winner will be the video with the most web hits. Competition runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 14th August.

For further information contact: Megan Button, Communications & Publications Coordinator, LIANZA
Ph: 04 473 -5834 or megan@lianza.org.nz

19.06.09: The Library Week Committee is very pleased to announce the story chosen for NZ’s Biggest Storytime as Itiiti’s Gift by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Fifi Colston, (Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd)

Itiiti’s Gift is the story of a girl who feels clumsy and shy next to the rest of her family who are loud and tall and good at things. Itiiti doesn't think she is good at anything, but her mother tells her that she will find a gift of her own. Itiiti sets out to find it and to her surprise, her gift finds her!

This is a story of self discovery as little Itiiti explores her potential talents and discovers her place in the whanau/community. It fits beautifully with the Library Week theme.

NZ’s Biggest Storytime is a very popular annual event, where libraries across the country hold events and readings of the selected title. It was a huge success in 2008 with Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig.

Booksellers are likely to get numerous enquiries from libraries about this title leading up to national Library Week, and from adults and children who want to buy their own copy, during and after the events.

Booksellers, be prepared!

27.05.09: From stories exploring the lives and ideals of family and communities to the reminiscence of roly-poly pudding the finalists of the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards are a true celebration of New Zealand writers and illustrators.

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 Maori)
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 Awards including New Zealand's longest-running book award, the LIANZA Esther Glen Award, are for excellence in literature, illustration, non-fiction and te reo Maori.

Prerequisite to selection as a LIANZA Judge is being a Librarian, along with passion to promote children’s experiences in the literary world; the Judges firmly believe reading and good books are the code to unlocking any child’s hidden potential.

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 August 10th at Caffe L’affare, College Street.

The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2009 are supported by Wheelers Books and Caffe L’affare.

/Ends

For further information, images, or to arrange an interview with the judges or shortlisted authors and illustrators, please contact:

Wendy Walker, LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Coordinator,
wendy@lianza.org.nz ph 04 473 5834
http://www.lianza.org.nz/events/childrensbookawards/index.html

21.05.09: 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.

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 to support the Books in Homes programme each year.

The New Zealand Post Book Awards for children and young adults are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers New Zealand Inc.

13.05.09: The upcoming LIANZA Children’s Book Awards are a unique event in the New Zealand literary scene; being a librarian is a prerequisite to selection as Judge, along with a mad passion to promote children’s literature and to energise children to love books.

The 2009 Judging panel has been announced and LIANZA is very pleased to introduce Belynda Smith, Pene Walsh, Colleen Shipley and Alice Heather.

Belynda Smith (Judging Panel Convenor) is currently the Co-ordinator of the Children’s & Teenage Services Librarians based at Takapuna Library.

Belynda worked as a Children’s Specialist Librarian in London and since returning to NZ has enjoyed roles in school and public libraries in Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland.

Belynda loves being involved with and promoting Children’s Literature and uses this as an excuse to read whenever she can. In her role at Takapuna Library she has daily contact with children and says that the children’s response to books in last years awards was invaluable when it came to judging.

Pene Walsh, currently the District Librarian for Gisborne District has always maintained a strong and active interest in children’s literature. Her library delivers a literacy programme for young people including; weekly preschool programmes, curriculum based lessons for all school levels and active participation with children’s author when possible.

Pene has been a judge for the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Award (now Montana Book Awards) and has undertaken assessments for the Margaret King Spencer Writer’s Trust which involves assessing an open range of unpublished manuscripts that includes material written for children. 

Pene has a particular interest in the relationship between text and pictures and how that translates in a child’s mind and their literacy development. Pene continues to firmly believe reading and good books are the code to unlocking any child’s hidden potential and that good people who work in libraries, bookshops and schools are often the ones who are able to share that code with children.

Colleen Shipley began her career as a special librarian and later moved to school libraries after her children started school. 

Colleen has worked as Librarian at Marlborough Girls’ College in Blenheim for the last six years and says 'in a College Library the two big challenges faced are hooking reluctant readers into reading and helping them to maintain the reading habit after year 11.'

Colleen is impressed with the standard of young adult literature that is produced by New Zealand authors and has several favourites that she recommends to reluctant readers with success. Her biggest satisfaction in her work is when students come back for another recommendation as they develop their own selection skills. 

Alice Heather (Judging Panel Convenor for Te Kura Pounamu) has been working at the National Library in Auckland, in the role of Māori Adviser for school Services for the last eight years. Alice now works part-time at the National Library and has returned to secondary school teaching, teaching English as well as teacher with library responsibility at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi. Alice an active member of Te Rōpū Whakahau and Te Hikuroa (Māori Librarians in the Auckland Region). Alice helped to set up Uiangapatai, the te reo Māori side of Anyquestions and is currently an operator for both services.

With over 100 books submitted in the 2008 Awards, and publishers already highlighting how excited they are about the quality of the entries they are preparing for submission, the Judges are set for an arduous task selecting the very best for shortlists in the four award categories.

Entries opened in December and are due to close on March 6th. The Finalists will be announced on May 21st and the Award Ceremony will be held on Monday 10th August in Wellington. This year LIANZA will be coordinating several events with the NZ Book Council including book signings and author readings to celebrate the Awards and Library Week.

For further information about the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards please visit http://www.lianza.org.nz/development/awards/childrens.html or contact Wendy Walker wendy@lianza.org.nz or 04 473 5834.

14.05.09: To be held in Christchurch, on 5/6 September 2009

Storylines is pleased to announce that Joy Cowley will run a two-day interactive workshop in Christchurch in September, as a Storylines fundraising activity. Joy has run many such workshops in America and other countries over the past two decades, but infrequently in New Zealand.

This is a rare chance to attend an intensive two-day course with this master storyteller, covering all aspects of writing for children and young adults (getting started, plot, character, voice, humour, writing disciplines, picture books, chapter books, young adult novels, presenting a manuscript, getting support.)

• 30 participants
• $500 (gst inclusive) - price includes critique of story (max 1000 words)
• Manuscript can be submitted to Joy by end August for comment
• Sessions from 9am to 4pm
• Venue to be announced

Applications will be accepted on first come, first served basis.
To register, please send payment of $500 (includes gst) with your full name, address, email and phone number. A receipt will be sent.

Send to: Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand
PO Box 96 094, Balmoral, Auckland 1342

For internet banking deposit into Storylines bank account 12 3067 0187408 03
Please note name and JC Workshop in reference.

A further workshop will be held in the North Island in 2010.
Please watch the Storylines website, http://www.storylines.org.nz/.for further information.

12.05.09: New Zealand book lovers have a new means to sate their literary appetites with the relaunch this week of the Book Council’s magazine, Booknotes.
The Book Council has revamped Booknotes for its autumn issue to provide a fresh mix of news, views, and discussion about books, writing and writers in New Zealand.

Chief Executive Noel Murphy hopes the new Booknotes will prove a valuable addition to the arts media landscape.

'The Book Council’s primary focus is to encourage a love of reading and books, and we believe there’s room for more media discussion that stimulates New Zealanders’ interest in books,' he says.

'We hope readers welcome the broad and deep coverage of all things books that Booknotes offers, and, in particular, the New Zealand perspectives it provides. We wanted it to be a lively and satisfying read for book enthusiasts.'

The Book Council’s members’ magazine, Booknotes is also available to all to read online at the council’s website www.bookcouncil.org.nz. Three issues will be published this year, and it will return to quarterly publication next year.

The relaunch of the magazine to reflect a broad range of reading interests is central to a new strategy for the Book Council to increase its relevance for readers of all ages, from all corners of New Zealand, Noel Murphy says.

The autumn issue includes discussion by Paula Morris on ways to rethink the Montana Book Awards, a feature on emerging writers Michele Powles and Eleanor Catton, and a 'writing masterclass' from Owen Marshall on journal writing. Regular features in the magazine will include new poetry or fiction (a Tusiata Avia poem in this issue), a topical opinion piece (in this issue, publisher Nicola Legat on electronic readers), event previews, hidden treasures among New Zealand bookshops, a spotlight on a fiction or non-fiction genre (in this issue, crime picks from writer Neil Cross), reading group notes (this issue, Opportunity and Singularity by Charlotte Grimshaw), and more.

'We’ve reconceived Booknotes to cater to the diverse tastes that reflect the reading interests of our members and of New Zealanders generally,' says Noel Murphy.

'The magazine will have a particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on New Zealand writing, in line with the Book Council’s aim to familiarise more readers with New Zealand writing and writers.'

The new Booknotes is the first in a series of changes arising out of a major reshaping of the Book Council’s activities over the past year.

“The Book Council has a long and successful history of promoting books and reading, and helping children discover the joy of reading through programmes like Writers in Schools.

'We’ve rethought how best to fulfil these aims in 2009 and beyond, and inspire more readers across New Zealand to read more.

'A major priority in this has been to create a new focus and forum for New Zealand’s community of book lovers in Booknotes, alongside the launch of a new website later this month, and the improvement of our flagship schools programmes.'

28.03.09: Four national children’s book awards are being presented at the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand annual Margaret Mahy Day. The gathering is being held for the first time outside of Auckland, in Christchurch on Saturday 28 March, 2009.

The Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal for a distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature will be presented by Margaret Mahy to natural history writer Andrew Crowe, from Coromandel. He is the first non-fiction writer and 19th winner of this top national award.

Two Storylines awards enable publication, in association with Scholastic New Zealand, by new writers.

The Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for an unpublished novel for children entitled Hollie Chips goes to Anna Gowan, from Auckland, for publication in March 2009. A former Otago University student, Anna works in television and has attended John Marsden’s writing workshops in Victoria, Australia.

The Storylines Joy Cowley Award for a picture book text will be presented to June Peka, a Christchurch freelance writer, retired civil servant and grandmother of four, with publication in late 2010.

The third award is the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book, given in memory of the popular children’s author who died in 1997. The award requires a book to have been in print for more than five years and to have not previously won an award. This year’s winner is the classic young adult novel I am not Esther by Wellington writer Fleur Beale.

Storylines and Scholastic will also launch the winner of the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for 2008, Salt River by Elizabeth Hegarty, and announce its list of Notable Books (up to ten in four categories) published in New Zealand during 2008.

STORYLINES CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CHARITABLE TRUST OF NEW ZEALAND

For more information please contact

Christine Young
Executive Officer
Storylines
Phone 021 765 981
Email christine@storylines.org.nz

03.03.09: 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 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 in support of the annual Books in Homes programme.

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.

Key dates:
3 March Children’s Choice Award voting opens
11-20 May Festival week, finalists on tour nationwide
20 May Winners announced

ENDS

For interview opportunities, review copies, images of finalist authors and their books, promotional giveaways or further information please contact: Penny Hartill, publicity consultant to the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults on 09 445 7525, 021 721 424, phartill@xtra.co.nz

26.01.09: A tense psychological thriller, I am not Esther, has won the 2009 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book for its Wellington author, Fleur Beale.

Established in 1997 to commemorate the life and works of the late Hamilton writer Gaelyn Gordon, the award goes to a book which, though not an award winner at the time of publication, has proved itself with readers and in the marketplace over a period of more than five years.

'I am not Esther is a gripping young adult psychological thriller,' says Storylines Trust chairman, Dr Libby Limbrick, 'With over 15,000 copies sold, it has proved itself a favourite with teenage readers and in schools. In her portrait of Esther, the author has created a compelling and readable study of a young woman abandoned to relatives in a religious cult.'

A graduate of Victoria University and a former high school teacher, Fleur Beale wrote the novel inspired by a student’s expulsion and troubles after conflict with his family’s religious beliefs. It was an Honour Book in the 1999 New Zealand Post Awards and US book rights have been sold to a subsidiary of Disney.

Her steady output since 1988 has included 13 children’s and young adult novels, mostly either contemporary social realism with backgrounds such as camping, cars and rally driving, or historical novels such as A Respectable Girl, published simultaneously in UK, and My Story: A New Song in the Land – The Writings of Atapo, Paihia, c. 1840.

Her first children’s book Slide the Corner (1992) also won the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon prize in 2007, and many of her titles have been shortlisted for both the New Zealand Post and LIANZA awards.

ends/

16.01.09: Natural history writer and photographer Andrew Crowe is the first non-fiction writer to win the country’s top children’s literature prize, the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal.

The award, given annually for a distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature, will be presented in Christchurch on 28 March.

'Andrew Crowe’s contribution to young New Zealanders' knowledge of their country's natural history has been unique and of long standing,' says Storylines Trust chairman, Dr Libby Limbrick. 'His many books, both in design and content, are consistently attractive, informative and accessible to young and old alike.'

Emigrating from Britain in 1972, Andrew Crowe published his first field guide to native edible plants in 1981, following an experience of getting lost in the bush and deciding that through books he could show that New Zealand was for him 'a very special place'.

He has since produced more than 40 titles about native fauna and flora, mostly as series popular with schools, trampers, tourists and natural history enthusiasts. These include the Which…? series, the Wild Stories series, Patterns in Nature series (also published in Maori), the Mini Guide, Life-size Guide and Nature Flip Guide series.

Regularly appearing on shortlists, he is a multiple winner of both New Zealand Post and LIANZA children’s non-fiction book awards and was a finalist in the 1998 GP Book Design awards, with The Life-Size Guide to Native Trees. Two books have also featured in the Montana shortlists - Which New Zealand Bird? in 2002 and Which New Zealand Insect? in 2003.

Other texts, artwork and photographs have appeared in the School Journal, the Listener and New Zealand Geographic magazines. His most recent successes have been the Ashton Wylie Unpublished Manuscript Award in 2005 for The Dalai Lama Story – the Making of a World Leader, written with a foreword by the Dalai Lama to coincide with His Holiness' visit to New Zealand in June 2007, and the 2008 New Zealand Post Non-fiction Award for Which New Zealand Spider?

Andrew Crowe lives on the Coromandel when he is not away travelling through New Zealand, countries like Tibet or Nepal, or going sailing.

Other winners of the Margaret Mahy Medal since 1991 have been novelists, among them Joy Cowley, Maurice Gee and William Taylor, picture book specialists such as Lynley Dodd and Gavin Bishop, and one publisher, Ann Mallinson.

<ends>

Andrew Crowe is available for interview and his Storylines Margaret Mahy Lecture on 28 March will be published by the Storylines Trust.

For more information please contact:
Kerry Aluf, Administrator
Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust
Email: childlitnz@storylines.org.nz

23.02.09: Five writers, six days, one very windy road. Words on Wheels is off again from 2-7 March, visiting libraries, schools, and the odd town hall on the road from Christchurch to Queenstown. On the bus this year will be Anna Mackenzie (Teen Fiction), Vanda Symon (Fiction), David Geary (Scriptwriting), Janet Charman (Poetry) and Steve Braunias (Non-fiction). Read more...

18.02.09: The University of Otago College of Education Children's Writer in Residence for 2009 will be Joanna Orwin.

The prestigious six-month residency is open to established childrens writers who have published one or more books of imaginative work for children.

Ms Orwin is a distinguished writer of childrens and young adults literature as well as non-fiction for adults. She won the 1985 Childrens Book of the Year Award for The Guardian of the Land, which has been republished by Harper Collins as a Collins Modern New Zealand classic. In 2002, her Young Adult novel, Owl, won the senior Fiction Category for the New Zealand Post Childrens Book Awards. Her most recent publications for children are Out of Tune (Longacre Press, 2004) and Kauri in my Blood: the Diary of Ann Findlay, the Coromandel, 1921-24 (Scholastic, 2007). Out of Tune was a finalist in the Young Adult Fiction Category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2005.

Ms Orwins background is in the natural sciences and she has worked as a plant ecologist and science editor. Since leaving Landcare Research in 1998, she has been focusing on her creative writing career, supported by contract work on interpretation projects (environmental science, history, and culture) as a consultant researcher, writer, and editor. Her books have a focus on New Zealand history (Maori and European), folklore and New Zealands natural environment. Ms Orwin has described her fictional aims in The Oxford History of New Zealand Literature as to write about New Zealand experiences in a way that rings true, and to express for our children a sense of belonging to a particular place and time.

The residency has run at the College of Education since 1992 and provides for a writer to work fulltime for six months in a College of Education environment. It is jointly funded by Creative New Zealand and the University of Otago.

Last years recipient was Bill OBrien. Previous writers to hold the position include Vincent Ford, Tania Roxborogh, Margaret Beames, Shirley Corlett, Brigid Lowry, David Hill, Pauline Cartwright, Sandy McKay, Penelope Todd, David Elliot, Fleur Beale, William Taylor, Janice Marriot, Katerina Mataira, Ken Catran, Jack Lasenby, Paula Boock, Diana Noonan and Ruth Corrin.

Ms Orwin will take up the residency in April and reside at the Robert Lord Writers Cottage in North Dunedin.

For more information, contact:
Trish Brooking, University of Otago College of Education
Tel 63 3 479 4958
Email trish.brooking@otago.ac.nz
A list of Otago experts available for media comment is available elsewhere on this website.

The 2009 National Secondary School Songwriting Competition and the 2009 Peace Song Competition are open to all secondary school students, with entries closing on Friday, 5 June 2009.

The competitions are organised by the Play It Strange Charitable Trust.

This year, as well as the Trust’s judging panel, student performances and compositions will be assessed by experienced music teachers against National Qualifications Framework music achievement standards (listed below).

The teacher judgements will be monitored by NZQA as part its normal external moderation process.

Judgements by teachers will be completely separate to panel judgements for the competition. Success in the Play It Strange competitions will not guarantee achievement of a standard.

NZQA Deputy Chief Executive, Qualifications, Bali Haque said a memorandum of understanding had been developed over the last three months with the Play it Strange Charitable Trust, and would enable secondary school students to have performances recognised and contribute towards gaining credits while participating in the competitions.

“We hope that both Play it Strange and students will benefit from the new collaboration, with more pathways created into future music programmes or careers,” he said.

“We believe this is a New Zealand first, as students will have the opportunity to have their performance assessed outside of the traditional school assessment setting and have this recognised as evidence contributing towards achieving qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework.”

Play it Strange Chief Executive Mike Chunn says the competition now has a new added appeal for secondary school students. “Students can now both enter the competition and gain recognition towards achieving NCEA standards - all in one - while being assessed by experienced music teachers.”

The arrangement will enable all participants to be assessed for evidence contributing towards the following music achievement standards:
Level 1
90012 - Perform contrasting music as a featured soloist
90013 - Perform music as a member of a group
90014 - Compose music to meet specified requirements Level 2
90264 - Present contrasting performances as a featured soloist
90265 - Present a music performance as a member of a group
90266 - Compose effective pieces of music Level 3
90526 - Present a performance of a programme of music as a member of a group
90775 - Present a portfolio of musical composition
90776 - Prepare and present performances of music as a featured soloist

The requirements of each achievement standard are set out on the NZQA website.

ENDS

Background
The Storylines Notable Books List was established in 2000 to reflect the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand authors and illustrators.

The Storylines Notable Books List allows for the inclusion of anthologies and works by New Zealand writers and illustrators published internationally.

The Storylines Notable Books List is selected by a panel made up from the Storylines community, of current children’s literature professionals. These include past and present members of the Storylines management committee, all of whom have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of children’s literature and many have served as judges for the New Zealand Post Book Awards (and its previous incarnations) and the LIANZA children’s book awards.

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.

Storylines Notable 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 (Not a Bedtime Story) by Melinda Szymanik, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic)

Special Mentions:
The judging panel would like to make special mention of Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (Frances Lincoln Children's Books). Margaret's poem has been in print for many years and therefore not eligible for inclusion in the list. However the panel considers Bubble Trouble to be a treasure for New Zealand children.

The judging panel would like to make special mention of Jack by Mike and Esther Fitzpatrick, illustrated by Bruce Madden (JacksBooks). For a self-published book, the design and production values are worthy of special mention.

Storylines Notable 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 written by Feana Tu'akoi, illustrated by Eleanor Meecham [Kiwi Bites] (Puffin)

Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction 2009
Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale (Random House)
The 10 PM 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)

Storylines Notable Non-Fiction 2009
Piano Rock: A 1950s Childhood by Gavin Bishop (Random House)
High-tech Legs of 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)

www.storylines.org.nz

Teachers and secondary school students should keep an eye out for details of this year's New Zealand Post National Schools Writing Festival and Poetry Awards, which will be sent to schools during the first week of March. As in the last two Awards, there are two poetry prizes - one for best poem, selected by a leading New Zealand poet, the other for best lyric, which will be chosen by a well-known New Zealand songwriter. All poems submitted will be automatically entered in both categories. What's new in 2009 is that the Poetry Awards will be open to Year 11 as well as year 12 and 13 students. Information packs will go to the HOD English in every secondary school, and students can find out more in the March issue of Tearaway magazine. Information on the 2008 Awards and Festival can be found here and here.

127 books and counting! Judges prepare for a long, hot summer of reading...
The judges for the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards have positioned their deck chairs, turned off their phones and slapped on the sunscreen as they embark on what will be a wonderful summer of reading.

Writer and former children's librarian Bill Nagelkerke, Children's Literature Consultant Rosemary Tisdall, and children's editor and career bookseller Jenni Keestra, are the three people who have been chosen to judge the Awards in 2009. In search of the very best, they will each read and assess over 130 books for Children and Young Adults published in New Zealand in 2008. From picture books by iconic authors and illustrators, to exciting junior and young adult fiction and a huge variety of non-fiction titles, the judges will read them all.

Judges' convenor, Bill Nagelkerke says 'Books are an incredibly important part of childhood.'
'Those dog-eared pages of much-loved favourites become a part of who we are, and often shape our view of the world.
'In the past it has been Hairy Maclary's curious adventures, Maui's heroic acts, and Margaret Mahy's stories about tentative steps into teens, that have taken on a life of their own in the imaginations of young readers. We're looking for stories that the current generation of young New Zealanders, and their parents, will fall in love with.'

Jenni Keestra says 'the Awards promote excellence in children's literature.
'It's vital that we celebrate and acknowledge great writing, illustration and publishing in New Zealand,' says judge and bookseller Jenni Keestra. 'The standard of publishing here is very high, and these awards are a real boost for authors and publishers, resulting in many of our award-winning books becoming extremely popular, both at home and internationally.'

Rosemary Tisdall is passionate about books that encourage young people to read.
'A really good book will resonate with a child, and either transport them to another world, or make them see their own world differently. The use of language, storyline, illustration, factual information and an opportunity to use their own imagination are the key ingredients we'll be looking for as we read all these books over summer.'

The 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards finalists will be announced on 3 March, 2009, and winners announced at an Awards Ceremony in Auckland on 20 May, 2009. Children and teenagers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite book, selecting from the finalist titles, for the popular Children's Choice Award. Voting begins online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz, and via voting cards available in bookshops and libraries nationwide, when the finalists are announced on 3 March, 2009.

New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for more than 10 years. 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.

Bill Nagelkerke worked as a children's librarian in Christchurch for twenty-five years. In 2006 and 2008 he was a member of the international jury for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards, administered by IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People.

Bill left library work recently to pursue, amongst other things, his own interest in writing. His novel My Story: Sitting On the Fence, was a finalist in the junior fiction category of the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards. Bill is also involved with Te Tai Tamariki, a charitable trust based in Christchurch working to establish a national centre to collect and preserve illustrations and manuscripts of New Zealand children's literature.

Rosemary Tisdall is currently on contract to the National Library of New Zealand in Auckland as a Reference Librarian working with the SSLP team (Strengthening School Libraries Project). For the remainder of her working week she helps individual children develop their love of reading, writes Teacher Resource Guides for a children's theatre company and reviews for Family Times, a children's magazine, through her company 'Getting Kids Into Books'.

Rosemary's community involvement is with Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand. She has been a committee member for about ten years, and was Chairperson for two. She is currently on the Trust Board, as well as on subcommittees, including the Storylines' Festival, Notable Books and IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People).

Rosemary was one of the judges for the LIANZA book awards in 2008,and also writes reviews for Magpies, an Australasian children's literature magazine. Her background is in teaching, at intermediate level, and more recently as a primary school librarian. She is married and has two beautiful adult daughters.

Jenni Keestra grew up surrounded by books and, when her godmother and mother joined forces to open Jabberwocky Children's Bookshop in 1980, it became the catalyst for a career in children's books. She has worked as a children's book specialist for over twenty years and has spent the last nine years managing children's books for the Whitcoulls chain.

Jenni has edited four volumes of the Puffin Treasury of New Zealand Children's Stories (Penguin), and is currently working on ideas for more projects. She lives in Auckland with her partner, daughter, and her collection of about ten thousand books.