Children’s Book Award Winners Announced

The 2002 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by Education Minister Trevor Mallard at Parliament in Wellington this evening.
The winners are:

New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year
The Plight of the Penguin Lloyd Spencer Davis Longacre Press

New Zealand Post Children’s Choice
Grandpa’s Shorts Joy Watson and Wendy Hodder Scholastic New Zealand

Picture Book Category
Brodie Joy Cowley and Chris Mousdale Scholastic New Zealand

Junior Fiction Category
Recycled Sandy McKay Longacre Press

Non-Fiction Category
The Plight of the Penguin Lloyd Spencer Davis Longacre Press

Senior Fiction Category
Owl Joanna Orwin Longacre Press

Best First Book - Illustrator
Brodie Chris Mousdale Scholastic New Zealand

Having read all one hundred and fourteen titles entered in the 2002 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards, the judging panel is firmly of the view that the range, the scope and the quality of books available to young New Zealanders is cause for celebration. This is also the first year that a non-fiction book has won the Book of the Year Award.

“Lloyd Spencer Davis has produced the best with a fascinating mix of information, debunking of myths, brilliant photography, infectious enthusiasm, verve and wit”.

– Judges – New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2002
Dame Catherine Tizard (Convenor), Glenn Colquhoun and William Taylor

Each of the four category winners receives $5,000. In addition, $5,000 is awarded to the winner of the Book Of the Year Award. This is awarded to any one of the four category winners in recognition of outstanding overall excellence. The winner of the Best First Book Award receives $1000.

Children around the country are also invited to have their say by voting for their favourite book from the shortlisted titles. Grandpa’s Shorts by Joy Watson was voted The New Zealand Post Children’s Choice award winner from a total vote count of almost 33,000 children.

The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards promote excellence in children’s literature and provide recognition for the very best children’s books published annually by New Zealand writers and illustrators. The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Festival and Awards are sponsored by New Zealand Post, administered by Booksellers New Zealand and supported by Creative New Zealand.

-ENDS-

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