LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Announced

Tina Matthews was presented with the Russell Clark Medal for Illustration at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony in Wellington on Monday night for her picture book A Great Cake.

 A Great Cake tells the story of young Harvey who learns a few lessons along the way as he eventually makes his perfect cake which features at a big picnic beautifully depicted in the book on a double page spread.

Pene Walsh, Awards Convenor and Gisborne Library Manager, said we can safely say Tina Matthews is no longer an emerging artist, she is clearly at a high point in her book making.

“Matthews’ wood cuts and stencils are expertly used in a Japanese-esque style and layers and layers of colour and texture build to create the final illustration. A visually inviting cover is the initial link from picture, to story, to words, and the explosion of imaginative synapses in between”.

Ms Walsh said the high standard of entries for this category, from five different publishers, indicates illustrated books for children remains a solid market
The Judges were also delighted with the calibre of junior fiction writing offered for the Esther Glen Medal, New Zealand’s oldest running book prize.

The finalists’ covered a variety of themes that delight, challenge and inspire with some immersing readers in New Zealand’s rich historical past – particularly fitting as Esther Glen herself had a keen interest in history.

Rachael King was awarded the much coveted Esther Glen Medal for her novel Red Rocks, a story in which the rugged South Coast of Wellington comes alive to the reader in a riveting adventure rich in mythical lore. 

Ms Walsh said “although dealing with issues of a broken family, loneliness and bullying, this is an enjoyable and easy read, the story interwoven with myth, is written in a way that makes it entirely believable.”

There was a noticeable theme of tackling true to life teenage issues running through the LIANZA Young Adult category and winning title The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager, combines all the ingredients that teens will enjoy reading for years to come.

Hager’s novel was a stand-out for all three judges who loved the richness of this multi-layered storyline and the way Hager manages to weave all the themes together so perfectly.

 “The strong and extremely well-developed characters, along with the dystopian theme, formed an action-packed story that in many ways reflects the current issues facing humankind today”.

 At the Beach: Explore & Discover the New Zealand Seashore by Ned Barraud and Gillian Candler was awarded the Elsie Locke medal for non-fiction and the judges clearly see a place for this book in schools, libraries and homes.

“It is a hot-chocolate-table book for not only the child who loves facts but the one who love quirky stuff and stories. It is a book for browsing”.

Ko Meru by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly, translated by Ngaere Roberts is the winner of Te Kura Pounamu Award, for a distinguished contribution to literature written in Te Reo Māori.

Te Rangi Rangi Tangohau, Te Kura Pounamu Panel Convenor, says children will immediately be drawn into the story because of the simplicity of a lonely mule gazing into the sky dreaming of something new.

“It is a humorous read with simple and colourful illustrations that will appeal to young readers”.

“The friendly use of onomatopoeia works well with children and the descriptive and repetitive language will happily guide the reader to patu-patupatu, kiriti=karati, takahi-takatakahi through the story.

In a closely contested race, librarians across the country voted for their favourite title from the list of finalists for the 2013 Librarians’ Choice Award. 

 Fan-favourite was My Brother’s War by David Hill, a Young Adult novel incorporating issues of civil rights, war, politics, discrimination and moral integrity into a well written and powerful story that had obvious appeal to the library profession.

Walsh said “we are very proud to present the Librarians’ Choice Award, although a fairly new addition to the awards it is an important koha from our profession, one that says this is New Zealand librarians’ favourite children’s book of the year”.

2013 LIANZA Children’s Book Awards Winners

LIANZA Junior Fiction Award – Esther Glen Medal
For the most distinguished contribution to literature for children aged 0-15.

Red Rocks by Rachael King, (Random House New Zealand)

LIANZA Young Adult Fiction Award
For the distinguished contribution to literature for children and young adults aged 13 years and above.

The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager, (Random House New Zealand)

LIANZA Illustration Award - Russell Clark Award
For the most distinguished illustrations in a children's book.

A Great Cake by Tina Matthews, (Walker Books Australia)

LIANZA Non Fiction Award – Elsie Locke Medal
For a work that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people.

At the Beach: Explore & Discover the New Zealand Seashore by Ned Barraud and Gillian Candler, (Craig Potton Publishing)

LIANZA Librarians’ Choice Award 2013
Awarded to the most popular finalist across all awards, as judged by professional librarians of LIANZA.

My Brother’s War by David Hill, (Penguin NZ)

Te Kura Pounamu (te reo Māori)
Awarded to the author of a work, written in Te Reo Māori, which makes a distinguished contribution to literature for children or young people.

Ko Meru by Kyle Mewburn, translated by Ngaere Roberts, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Scholastic)