A quarter of the 20 finalists in the 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards have been written or illustrated by newcomers and this is reflected across all four categories – Picture Book, Junior Fiction, Young Adult Fiction and Non-fiction.

“It is exciting to see new talent emerging, but equally pleasing that the ‘old hands’ are also represented,” says convenor of judges, Ruth McIntyre.

There is a distinctively Kiwi flavour to many of the entries, with our flora and fauna, Maori myths, high country life and small-town politics preoccupying the creative endeavours of the finalist writers and illustrators; other works reflect New Zealand history and a wider world of pirates, war and fantasy realms. Survival emerges as another abiding theme among the entrants. The finalists were selected from more than 150 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2010 and submitted for the Awards.

“Three of the finalist books in the Young Adult Fiction category are set in post-apocalyptic worlds. These imagined settings also reflect many thought-provoking current issues, such as climate change, the after-effects of war, fanatical rulers and the power of mass media,” the judges say.

Many of this year’s books submitted were outstanding, making it very difficult to restrict the finalists to just five in some categories, the judges said.

“We are delighted that beautifully produced books are still being published in this dawning of the e-book era and hope they will be treasured for years to come.”

Ruth McIntyre, former journalist and now children’s bookshop co-owner, is joined on the judging panel by writer and former school principal, William Taylor, and secondary school librarian Dee Brooker. Together they will decide which book will take the New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year prize and will choose winners from across the four categories: Picture Book, Non-fiction, Junior Fiction and Young Adult Fiction. The winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 May.

The 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists are:

Picture Book Category:

Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark Sommerset, illustrated by Rowan Sommerset (Dreamboat Books)

A Dog Like That! by Janene Cooper, illustrated by Evie Kemp (Duck Creek Press)

Hill and Hole by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Vasanti Unka (Penguin Group NZ)

Marmaduke Duck and the Marmalade Jam by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Sarah Davis (Scholastic New Zealand)

The Moon & Farmer McPhee by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by David Elliot (Random House New Zealand)


Non-fiction Category:

The Kiwi Fossil Hunter's Handbook by James Crampton and Marianna Terezow (Random House New Zealand)

The life cycle of the Pukeko by Betty Brownlie (Scholastic New Zealand)

Sensational Survivors by Sandra Morris (Walker Books Australia)

Who's Cooking Tonight? by Claire Gourley & Glenda Gourley (Penguin Group NZ)

Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the Western Front by Leon Davidson (Text Publishing Company)

Junior Fiction Category:

Finnigan & the Pirates by Sherryl Jordan (Scholastic New Zealand)

The Haystack by Jack Lasenby (Harper Collins Publishers)

Hollie Chips by Anna Gowan (Scholastic New Zealand)

Shadow of the Boyd by Diana Menefy (Harper Collins Publishers)

Tussock by Elizabeth Pulford (Walker Books Australia)


Young Adult Fiction Category:

Ebony Hill by Anna Mackenzie (Random House New Zealand)

Fierce September by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (Allen & Unwin)

The Limping Man by Maurice Gee (Penguin Group NZ)

Smiling Jack by Ken Catran (Harper Collins Publishers)

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 children nationwide rather than the Awards’ judges, get to choose their favourite book, selecting from the 20 finalist titles. Voting for the Children’s Choice Award begins today. Long considered one of the highest accolades a children’s author can receive, children of school age from all over New Zealand vote on this Award. Voting can be placed online at www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz or by using the special voting card available from bookshops, libraries and schools. Voting closes at 5.00pm, on Friday 29 April.

All winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in Auckland on Wednesday 18 May.

Finalists will be participating in children’s book events around the country as part of a nationwide festival celebrating the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. The festivities begin on Monday 9 May and continue through to Tuesday 17 May.

New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards since 1997. Its partnership has seen the Awards flourish, growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New Zealand Post’s support of these Awards reflects their deep commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the country. It forms part of a wider portfolio of partnerships aimed at supporting New Zealanders, and the growth of New Zealand, by lifting levels of literacy and education.

Working closely with Booksellers NZ, New Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books. For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards finalists in support of the annual Books in Homes programme. The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards are also supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and are administered by Booksellers NZ.

KEY DATES
• Tuesday 22 February 2011 Finalists announced
• Tuesday 22 February 2011 Children’s Choice Award voting begins
• Friday 29 April 2011 Children’s Choice Award voting closes
• Monday 9 May 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards Festival begins
• Wednesday 18 May 2011 Winners announced

ENDS

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