The Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and National Awards Day

Talented young Feilding designer wins

Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for Illustration 2017

Lael Chisholm, an 18-year-old freelance artist and designer from Feilding, has won the prestigious Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for Illustration for 2017. 

The Award will be presented at The Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and National Awards Day today in Auckland.

“Penguin Random House New Zealand is delighted to have worked with Storylines to reinstate the Storylines Gavin Bishop Award this year,” said Publishing Director Debra Millar.  “The award is a wonderful way to showcase emerging talent and has once again led to the discovery of an exciting new illustrator. That this year’s winner, Lael Chisholm, has not long finished school has blown us away!”

‘We are very much looking forward to publishing Lael’s illustrations to accompany the story Granny McFlitter, the Champion Knitter by Heather Haylock in 2018.”

Lael was an outstanding student leader at Feilding High School, including dux for 2015.  The sixth child in a family of 10, she began drawing from an early age. She developed an interest in illustration in her final years of schooling, attracted by the challenge of creating artwork that combined design, illustration and storytelling.  Her long-term ambition is to write and illustrate her own picture books.

At Feilding High School’s Evento Wearable Art awards in 2014, contested by 11 local schools, Lael won the BNZ design scholarship for her entry in the Dr Seuss category.

  

Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award for lifetime achievement and a distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature and literacy.

 - WINNER: Des Hunt, Coromandel (as announced 23 March).

Des will present the 2017 Margaret Mahy lecture and receive his award at the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and National Awards Day. 

 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a children's novel manuscript by an unpublished writer, in association with Scholastic New Zealand.  Shortlist announced 16 March

 - WINNER: Christine Walker, Christchurch – The Short But Brilliant Career of Lucas Weed

Christine Walker is a Community Librarian at a public library in Selwyn. She says “I've got a great job - I select the Children's and Young Adult stock for our network.  I've always been an avid reader and a firm believer in the power of story, and I love being transported by a great book.” She adds “Writing is something I've always enjoyed, and now I'm looking forward to doing more!”

Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a much-loved book, funded by David Ling Publishing, HarperCollins and Scholastic.

 - WINNER: Pamela Allen, Mr McGee, Publisher Penguin Random House NZ

Storylines Joy Cowley Award for a picture book text, in association with Scholastic New Zealand. 

The shortlist was announced 16 March.

- There is no winner of the Joy Cowley award this year, but four commendation certificates will be presented, as follows:

Highly Commended, Christine Ashton, Southland, My Friend Fred

Highly Commended, Charlotte Holt, Oratia, The Princess and the Pirate

Commended, Elaine Bickell, Wellington, The Enormous Feet

Commended, Belinda O’Keefe, Christchurch, The Truly Magnificent Stick  

Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for Illustration 2017 for a previously unpublished picture book illustrator, in association with Penguin Random House New Zealand.

- WINNER: Lael Chisholm, Feilding

Certificates for the 2017 Storylines Notable Books will be also presented at the Awards Ceremony.