NZCYA BOOK AWARDS:
LIANZA BEST LIBRARY DISPLAY COMPETITION – 2019 NZ BOOK AWARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
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LIANZA have been rewarding excellence in New Zealand children’s literature since 1945, with the establishment of the Esther Glen Award for Fiction. LIANZA added other awards over the years including the Russell Clark Award for Illustration in 1975, and the Elsie Locke Non-fiction Award in 1986. The Te Kura Pounamu Award for literature written in Te Reo Māori was established in 1996, in partnership with Te Rōpū Whakahau.
In 2016 the LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards were transferred to the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, and merged with the Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. This has enabled the 60 year legacy of the LIANZA book awards to be strengthened.
The Te Kura Pounamu Award is judged by LIANZA’S partner Te Rōpū Whakahau. The strong influence of libraries and librarians continues to this day through the partnership between LIANZA and the NZ Book Awards Trust, with Anne Morgan (NZNL) representing LIANZA on this governance board, and strong representation of librarians on the judging panel.
The judges of the 2019 awards were: Crissi Blair (convenor), a long-time champion of children’s books and librarian at Rangeview Intermediate School in Auckland; Jane Arthur, an editor, commentator and poet; Raymond Huber, a children’s author and editor, Tania Roxborogh, an educator and author; and Simie Simpson, a librarian in the Kaipara District north of Auckland.
They were joined by a panel appointed by Te Rōpū Whakahau to judge the te reo Māori entries, which was led by Moana Munro (convenor), kaitiaki pukapuka Māori for the Hastings District Libraries, Anahera Morehu, president-elect of LIANZA, and Jacqueline Joyce Snee, senior librarian Māori Research at Auckland Central Library. A sparkling story of courage and transformation has been judged the best book for young readers at this year’s national children’s book awards. The Bomb by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan, was awarded the highest prize in children’s publishing – The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year – during a ceremony at Te Papa in Wellington to celebrate the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
The judges were captivated by the spell this book cast. They described it as a summery, waterlogged, quintessentially Kiwi story about a child growing in self-confidence while striving to achieve the perfect ‘bomb,’ supported every step of the way by the reassuring presence of his Nan.
‘Joy and humour permeate the story and illustrations of The Bomb, and the reader is rewarded with each encounter – they see a new layer, another detail is revealed, fresh energy bubbles up,’ says convenor of judges Crissi Blair. The judges also commended the language, which naturally incorporates te reo Māori, and the illustrations which celebrate our multicultural community.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LIANZA IS EXCITED TO REVEAL THE WINNER OF THE MARGARET MAHY BOOK OF THE YEAR, DRUMROLL….
The win rounded out an actionpacked few months for the author and illustrator team of Cotter and Morgan, who have a winning partnership off the page as well, having recently become engaged and welcomed their first child into the world.
Seven other significant awards were also presented at the ceremony, held in Te Papa’s atmospheric Te Marae and attended by the country’s top children’s authors, illustrators, translators and publishers.
The Bomb also won the Picture Book Award. The judges said the books in this category ‘defied gravity’ – being both simple and
sophisticated in their message and illustration with serious child appeal but the ability to also delight adults.
The Dog Runner by Bren Macdibble, an enthralling ecodrama about a future without grasses, was awarded the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior
Fiction, marking the second year in a row this category has been won by Macdibble. The judges found the unique voice and characterisation ensured the reader was emotionally invested while debating alternatives to the sometimes-violent measures taken to ensure survival.
Teenagers are very hard to please, said the judges in announcing the Young Adult Fiction Award, but the panel was confident the winner of this category, Legacy by Whiti Hereaka, was a book teens would love. They were unanimous in their appreciation for this novel, with its assured writing, cleverly constructed story and pitch-perfect historical rendering, which teaches much about life as a WWI Māori soldier.
An instantly engaging, slyly educational book peppered with a sense of humour won the Elsie Locke Award for Non-fiction.
Art-tastic by Sarah Pepperle is a rare book that makes art – in this case the iconic works in the Christchurch Art Gallery – accessible and fun for young readers and shows how it can touch all aspects of our lives.
With such high praise from the judges, it’s no surprise Arttastic also took out the Best First Book Award, a fiercely contested prize in a field of books which all cut straight to the heart of what being a young person is about in very different ways. But the judges couldn’t go past Pepperle’s ‘out-of-thisworld talent’ for presenting information – both factual and abstract – in a digestible, hilarious, approachable way, and praised her rare instinct for understanding how children work.
When it’s done well, children’s book illustration is a high form of art combining technique, taste and vision with the ability to tell a story. The judges found the art exceptional in Russell Clark Award for Illustration winner Puffin the Architect by Kimberly Andrews. They cited Andrews as an early-career treasure trove of talent, saying New Zealand children are lucky to have the rest of her career to look forward to.
The Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for
te reo Māori was awarded to
Te Haka a Tānerore by Reina Kahukiwa, illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa, translated by Kiwa Hammond. The panel of judges convened by Te Rōpū Whakahau said the book enhanced readers’ understanding of Māori performing arts by telling the origin story of haka. They praised the way its close connection to identity and heritage was illustrated with exceptional artwork.
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS FOR THE 2019 NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS: Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award $7500
The Bomb, Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan (Huia Publishers)
Picture Book Award $7500
The Bomb, Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan (Huia Publishers)
Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction $7500
The Dog Runner, Bren Macdibble (Allen & Unwin)
Young Adult Fiction Award $7500
Legacy, Whiti Hereaka (Huia Publishers)
Elsie Locke Award for Non-fiction $7500
Art-tastic,
Sarah Pepperle (Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū)
Russell Clark Award for Illustration $7500
Puffin the Architect, written and illustrated by Kimberly Andrews (Penguin Random House)
Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te reo Māori $7500
Te Haka a Tānerore, Reina Kahukiwa, illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa, translated by Kiwa Hammond (Mauri Tū)
Best First Book Award $2000
Art-tastic, Sarah Pepperle (Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū)
LIBRARIANS ARE THE TOUR GUIDES FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE!
We asked you to let us (and your patrons) know what you think about the NZ Book Awards finalists and help make visible the important role of libraries in promoting reading for pleasure by entering the inaugural LIANZA Book Review Competition. The winning reviews are reproduced below. Judges Kat Cuttriss (PLNZ), Kirsty Adam (SLANZA) and Helen Heath LIANZA) were thrilled with the quality of entries – picking an over-all winner was a difficult task.
Category winners have been selected for each of the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults categories; Picture Book, Junior Fiction (the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award), Young Adult Fiction, Non-fiction (the Elsie Locke Award), Illustration (the Russell Clark Award) and te reo Māori (the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award). An overall winner has been selected from the category winners and will receive a copy of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year. And the winners are…
Picture Book
Review of Things in the Sea are Touching Me by Chris Wright
Junior Fiction
Review of The Dog Runner by Lorelle Yorke
Young Adult Fiction
Review of The Rift by Matthew Sampson
Non-fiction
Review of Art-tastic by Natasha Morris
Illustration
Review of Cook’s Cook by Penny Guy
Te reo Māori
Review of Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia by Chris Wright
And the over-all winner, who receives a copy of The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year – The Bomb by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan, is Chris Wright for his review of Ngā Whetū Matariki i Whānakotia. Congratulations! Natasha Morris receives a Highly Commended for her review of Art-tastic.
THINGS IN THE SEA ARE TOUCHING ME BY LINDA JANE KEEGAN AND ILLUSTRATED BY INKY STAPLETON
This rhyming picture book for young children, 3-7, confronts a fear that faces many when at the beach: ‘Something in the sea is touching me!’
For this young child, Ma is not just a calming influence but also takes the opportunity to inform:
They drift through the water and feed like a filter. No need to let them put you all off-kilter.
A crab, salps, a mangrove seed and kelp are encountered in turn until:
‘I splashed and I paddled found courage within, ignoring when stuff touched on elbow or shin.’
But next it is Ma shrieking in fear and the youngster’s turn to laugh, explain and console. Yes, a fun day at the beach for ‘Mum, Ma and me.’
Minky Stapleton incorporates the text into her illustrations with large white letters on a black background for the shrieks. This contrasts well with the soft water colours of most pages. Another interesting technique is the juxtaposition of distance and close-up views on opposing pages. For example the crab appears small beside their feet, but is large and more detailed on the facing page.
With both English and Maori versions available, this is a book for all Kiwi kids. Author Linda Jane Keegan handles this nuclear family with a difference as a normal situation which, increasingly, it is. Well done.
Reviewed by Chris Wright
from Bookrapt, Bay of Plenty Children’s Literature Association.
Judges’ comments: We particularly appreciated the insightful analysis of typographical and illustrative techniques used in the book.
THE DOG RUNNER BY BREN MACDIBBLE
The Dog Runner by Bren Macdibble is an interesting and extremely timely piece of very believable fiction. Set in a dystopian ‘future’ which in light of current environmental issues facing the planet feels all too likely to be real. An excellent entry point for children wanting to read dystopian novels who are not ready for the starkness and detail of series like The Hunger Games and Maze Runner. Because it has been written from the perspective of two young children the story feels real and dramatic while still being less dark than some examples of the genre. The story manages to highlight very real issues facing
the new generation of humans who will inherit the planet while still being full of hope and kindness towards others and our environment without feeling like a lecture. I would have no hesitation in recommending this excellent book for our 10 -15 year olds.
Reviewed by Lorelle Yorke,
Deputy Librarian and book lover from Westland District Libraries in Hokitika.
Judges’ comments: This review speaks directly to the recommended audience of the title itself (i.e. 10-15 year olds). After reading it we know exactly who to share this book with ideal information for librarians.
THE RIFT BY RACHAEL CRAW
Rachael Craw’s The Rift is a story about connectedness. Its two main characters are thematic foils: Meg Archer grew up among the Rangers but has been away from Black Water Island for many years, while outsider Cal West has never felt accepted on Black Water Island despite his Ranger gifting. The mythology-inspired fantasy element of magical deer and mutant space hounds intervenes at key points to drive character change, but Meg and Cal’s journey to find their place in the world plays out most clearly in their developing relationship with each other. The story wraps up by the last page but the remaining mysteries of the fantasy world leave space for future adventures beyond the Rift. Young adult romance/ adventure set against the backdrop of a darkly fantastical world. Reviewed by Matthew Sampson. Matthew is a Selwyn librarian, reader, writer and story theorist and leads the local children’s book club. He peruses the fantasy and science fiction shelves in every age category at his local library.
Judges’ comments: This review is impressively concise, yet manages to convey all the main points of what is clearly a complex story. It compels you to go find the title and start reading it immediately! We always appreciate a review that comments on themes and structure as well as the plot. The last sentence is a helpful shelf talk.
ART-TASTIC BY SARAH PEPPERLE
A visually striking, humorous, possibly irreverent guide to looking at, connecting with and making art. Using real works of art from the Christchurch Art Gallery, Sarah Pepperle reveals artists methods, shares the cultural context, challenges us to listen to what the artist is saying and to find our own connections to the pictures. The author quotes artist Martin Creed ‘My work is about 50% what I make of it and 50% what people make of it. Meanings are made in people’s heads. I can’t control them.’ From beginning to end there are opportunities to make up your own mind, create your own art, experiment with techniques and even curate your own exhibition. Imagination is so important to nurture in our young people; they will create the future by imagining that things can be different. Art-tastic is a stunning activity book and a wonderful way to nurture creative and empathic imagination.
Reviewed by Natasha Morris,
originally from the UK, Natasha now resides on the West Coast of NZ with her husband and two teenage children and managing the District Library Service for the people of Westland. An advocate of libraries and reading for pleasure she is most at home curled up with the dog and a good book (or possibly three, books that is).
Judges’ comments: This review is excellent – it’s very captivating and descriptive, and piques one’s curiosity about this title.
COOK’S COOK: THE COOK WHO COOKED FOR CAPTAIN COOK BY GAVIN BISHOP
Following the success of Aotearoa, Gavin Bishop has produced another fascinating book on New Zealand history. Rather than add to the large number of books about Captain Cook, Gavin has focused on the story of John Thompson, the one-handed cook on board the Endeavour. This allows him to tell the story of Cook’s voyage to New Zealand from a novel point of view and include many pieces of interesting trivia. The death of the cook before the end of the voyage doesn’t hinder the re-telling as his soul slips into a seagull.
Alongside the cook’s diary entries are speech bubbles, recipes, labels and, of course, Gavin’s inimitable illustrations. Although, to the occupants of the Endeavour, this is a new land, it is already the tūrangawaewae of Maori and the illustrations reflect this. Maori name labels sit alongside debates over what to name various places and, as in Aotearoa, the
geographic features in New Zealand often have faces. This narrative nonfiction book is full of fascinating information with even the end papers pressed into service. One set shows a cross section of the ship while the other has a map of the voyage. Cook’s Cook is a great addition to children’s books on New Zealand history.
Reviewed by Penny Guy
from Bookrapt, Bay of Plenty Children’s Literature Association.
Judges’ comments: A very informative review, which describes the book’s visual and graphic beauty well.
NGĀ WHETŪ MATARIKI I WHĀNAKOTIA BY MIRIAMA KAMO
This delightful tale links fact with legend and hints at the blended families of modern day Aotearoa/new Zealand. Scholastic NZ is to be commended for publishing this read aloud children’s picture book in hardback. It is sure to become a favourite in homes and schools. While Poua (Grandpa) is eeling, Grandma lies back on the sand with their grandchildren Te Rerehua and Sam, telling them stories. As she gazes up at the stars, she notices that Matariki is missing two stars. She quickly guesses who’s to blame, and sure enough, soon they find a group of patupaiarehu (fairy folk) dancing about their raupo net that holds two glowing rocks.
As Sam and Te Rerehua are fair-haired, they are able to slip unnoticed into the group and subtly influence their plans.
Readers who look closely at the illustrations will see the patupaiarehu sneaking along in the background on some of the early pages!
Words and illustrations have been linked in an interesting way. The words are black on white across the top of each double page spread while the pictures in dark wash dominate many of the pages. Zak Waitara’s use of moody blues, greens, purples and black match the atmosphere of this night-time adventure for Sam and Te Rerehua. This first story by award-winning journalist Miriama Kamo will surely not be her last.
Reviewed by Chris Wright
from Bookrapt, Bay of Plenty Children’s Literature Association.
Judges’ comments: A beautifully written, highly descriptive review. We challenged you to create a display of the NZ Book Awards finalists in your library and enter our Best Library Display competition. We wanted to see how creative you could get with your library displays. Keep your eyes peeled, as we will be sharing all the entries over the next few weeks on Libraries Aotearoa.
The winner of the Hell Pizza Vouchers is Kay at Rolleston School Library. Congratulations
Kay!
Kay says: ‘The inspiration for our display came from the resources that the NZ book awards supply on their website, so I tried to use their fonts and logo as the main driving force to make our design and show case the books we have purchased to date from the finalists lists. Usually I place the posters on the wall and give the location of each book, so having this competition was a fabulous excuse to do something different!
I am hoping to be able to share the Hell pizza vouchers with my student librarians as a treat end of term and of course any books we win will go into the library collection.
We thought we should have our own book awards, so we have done a competition to run from the start of this term until after the award winners are announced. Prizes will be individual as well as classes and we have a selection of books and pens etc from our Scholastic Book Fair earlier in the year. Entrants have to predict the winner and if they choose the same as the actual winners they receive a prize!’
Judges’ comments: This display has all the elements we look for – an eye catching title, books on display and the voting jar is an inspired piece of interactivity! We liked the bright colours and that the books easily accessible.
THE JUDGES ALSO WANTED TO RECOGNISE TWO HIGHLY COMMENDED DISPLAYS:
Created by Abigail Brooks and Eliza Diaz
Sanchez from Queenstown Library. Abigail and Eliza say: ‘Not all the books are visible, as we could only display what we had available in our libraries! We photocopied the covers of the book, so when a book was borrowed it was still available in the display, and the copies had a little sticker on them saying ‘please reserve at desk.’ It’s been a really popular display and the biggest challenge has been keeping the books on the shelves, a great problem to have!’
Created by Katrina Eddy at South Christchurch
Library / Te Kete Wānanga o Wai Mōkihi. Inspiration: Take a splash and pop out with one of these book finalists