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Winning book interprets South Pacific history for young people
Marcia Stenson's Illustrated History of the South Pacific has won the 2007 New Zealand Post Book of the Year of Award.
"Interpreting history for young people is challenging," said the judges of the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. "However, this book more than meets that challenge. The production values are excellent, and both publisher and author should be commended for producing a very visual and accessible presentation of a history topic we all need to know about."
The award was presented to Marcia Stenson by New Zealand Post's Chief Executive Officer, John Allen. at the awards ceremony hosted by the Hon. Judith Tizard, Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, at Parliament on Wednesday 16 May.
It supported the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards through a grant of $34,200 to Booksellers New Zealand, which administers the awards. Creative New Zealand has supported the awards since they were established in 1997.
Acknowledging excellence
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright says Creative New Zealand supports the awards to acknowledge and encourage excellence in children's literature, illustration and publishing in New Zealand.
"Over the years, the New Zealand Post Book Awards and the accompanying festival have become an important way to promote reading and encourage young people to read New Zealand books," Stephen Wainwright says. "I'd like to congratulate all of the category winners and finalists."
This year's judging panel of three children's book experts was convened by illustrator, writer and teacher Keith Olsen. He was joined on the judging panel by Ainslie Heather and Dylan Owen, who have backgrounds in children's book retailing and librarianship.
The category winners and honour award recipients
Picture Book: Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly (Scholastic NZ Ltd) Honour Award: A Present from the Past by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic NZ Ltd)
Non Fiction: Illustrated History of the South Pacific by Marcia Stenson (Random House New Zealand)
Junior Fiction: Thor's Tale by Janice Marriott (HarperCollins New Zealand)
Young Adult: Genesis by Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press) Honour Award: Single Fin by Aaron Topp (Random House New Zealand)
Best First Book Award: The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff written and illustrated by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children's Books)
Children's Choice Award: Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly (Scholastic NZ Ltd)
The winner of each category was awarded $5000. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award takes home an extra $5000. The winner of the Best First Book and the Children's Choice Award receives prize money of $1000 each. The honour awards were presented in two categories this year. These awards are discretionary and are awarded in recognition of particular features in each book.
New Zealand Post has sponsored the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults since 1997. Working closely with Booksellers New Zealand, New Zealand Post and communities throughout New Zealand actively encourage children to read and enjoy books.
