Elizabeth Knox receives NZ's oldest book prize

Elizabeth Knox receives New Zealands oldest book prize

Three prizes celebrating excellence in literature, illustration and non-fiction were announced in Wellington last night at the LIANZA Childrens Book Awards.

Elizabeth Knox received New Zealands oldest book prize; The Esther Glen Award. The prize was presented to Knox for Dreamhunter; her first novel for young adults. The Esther Glen Award was established in 1945 and is given to the author considered to have made the most distinguished contribution to literature for children. The judges of the awards described Dreamhunter as brilliantly original and convincing.

Christchurch author and illustrator Gavin Bishop received The Russell Clark Award for Kiwi Moon, which he both wrote and illustrated. The Russell Clark Award was first awarded in 1975 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to illustrated childrens books. The judges described Kiwi Moon as being a future folktale classic.

Wellington author Kevin Boon is the winner of The Elsie Locke Award for his non-fiction series Developments in New Zealand History. The Elsie Locke Award was first awarded in 2001 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people. The judges described the Developments in New Zealand History series as an enormously impressive achievement.

The LIANZA Childrens Book Awards for 2006 were announced at an awards ceremony held in Wellingtons Michael Fowler Centre tonight. Ginette McDonald was the compere. Each of the 3 winners receives a medal and a cheque for $1,000.

ENDS

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