Writers, illustrators, designers, editors, publishers,
booksellers, teachers, librarians, friends, family and members of the
Wellington children’s book world - all met and mingled amongst giant cut-outs
of the shortlisted books in the Amora ballroom on Wednesday night for the NZ
Post Children's Book Awards ceremony.
Hekia Parata – standing in for Chris Finlayson – commented
that she had been in the same room 12 hours earlier for a government policy
announcement, and it had looked quite different then. Six long tables were
decorated with tall vases of flowers and set out with individual place
settings. Bottles of wine and jugs of juice, plates of savouries and cupcake
stands laden with club sandwiches, lamingtons and chocolate-dipped strawberries
kept the audience nibbling and filling their glasses while the judges read out
the finalists and then the prizes in each category.
There are always winners and surprises, but no losers, as
just to make the shortlist is such a huge achievement with so many wonderful
books (over 130) submitted (although once again the judges called for more
non-fiction, particularly in areas that don’t seem to be covered at all such as
music and sport.) It was also interesting to see such a wide range of
publishers represented in the winners.
Highlights of the evening included:
·
Chris Szekely - left - (winner of the Picture Book category) and Matt Elliott
(winner of the Non-Fiction category and NZ Post Children’s Book of the Year)
both visibly moved as they received the prizes for their books and paid tribute
to others involved in their creation: Chris to illustrator Malcolm Ross
(1948-2003), and Matt to his grandfather Cyril whose wartime diaries inspired Nice
day for a war.
·
Matt Elliott commenting that this is his first
children’s book – “and it’s all downhill from here.”
·
Jack Lasenby, winner of the Young Adult Fiction
category, much loved and treasured Wellington writer, still going strong at 81
·
Leonie Agnew, scooping up winner of the
Junior Fiction category, Best First Book and Children’s Choice award for
Junior Fiction. “I love kids books and tonight it seems they love me,’ she
said, obviously delighted but almost lost for words after going up on stage to
receive her third prize
·
The Children’s Choice Awards – great to give the
children themselves a chance to vote in each category
·
The much valued sponsorship by NZ Post who have
been involved with these awards for 16 years - long may it continue – and the
recognition by everyone in the room of the importance of kids’ books and
getting our children reading.
And the only brickbat – I thought more time could have been
given for the authors and illustrators to reach the stage (sometimes difficult
given the seating arrangement) before the description of their book was read
out.
Thanks also to the organisers of the nationwide festival of
events that precedes the awards ceremony. It’s a huge commitment by many people
putting in hours of work to publicise and promote these wonderful books and
their authors and illustrators.
Philippa Werry
And thanks to Barbara Murison for the following photos.
Top to bottom - MC Miriama Kamo with Sam and June Jackson who carried out the
Mihi ceremony
- Table arrangement
- Writer
and tutor Eirlys Hunter, Alex Collins from Learning Meda and Kerry Arnett from
Clyde Quay school (Alex and Kerry were both involved in organising activities
for Festival week in the Wellington region).
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