The award acknowledges Ms Southam’s lifetime contribution to promoting children’s literacy initially as a classroom teacher, and for the past twenty years as sales manager at leading children’s book publisher Scholastic New Zealand.
‘In this role, Rob is widely regarded as a tireless campaigner for bringing children and books together, and specifically encouraging boys to read,’ says Storylines Trust chair, Dr Libby Limbrick. ‘Her influence in schools around the country, through workshops, seminars, contact with principals and parents, presentations at national and international conferences and her work with Duffy Books in Homes, has been extraordinary and far-reaching."
The Storylines award, honouring author and literary historian Betty Gilderdale, was begun in 1990 to acknowledge distinguished service to promoting children’s literacy and books.
Previous winners have included booksellers Dorothy Butler and Ruth & John McIntyre, writers Elsie Locke and Katerina Te Heikoko Mateira and ‘bookman’ blogger Graham Beattie.
The award will be presented to Rob Southam at a function in Auckland in November.
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