Ashburton’s Own David Elliot Wins Children’s Book Award

Ashburton’s Own David Elliot Wins Prestigious Children’s Book Award.

Internationally-recognised Ashburton born illustrator, David Elliot, and Canterbury literary legend, Margaret Mahy and have won the country’s most prestigious gong for children’s literature, The New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year Award for their picture book, The Moon & Farmer McPhee.

The awards ceremony was held in Auckland on Wednesday evening, 18 May 2011, the judging panel, including writer and former teacher William Taylor, and school librarian, Dee Brooker, said they had been delighted by the high standard of the books submitted for this year's awards.

Not only did The Moon & Farmer McPhee win the ultimate award it also took the Picture Book Category award, and was described by the judges as an “absolute treasure”. "The sheer poetry of the language and the gorgeous luminous illustrations each magnificently complements the other. Thoughtful details such as the artfully placed cut-outs and fold-out pages, the joyful expressions on the animals' faces, the lovely word-play and the positive message all add to the complete package", convenor of judges, Ruth McIntyre, said.

The initial idea of the book was David’s, he had always wanted to create a picture book with Margaret and this proved to be the perfect opportunity. “I was thrilled when she kindly agreed to collaborate with me and write the text with her inimitable magic.” With the book itself drawing from David’s childhood memories. “I was inspired by holidays spent on farms in Mid Canterbury and reflected this within my illustrations. I also wanted the book itself to have an association with the Ashburton Art Gallery which is where the collection of my work, and working drawing for the book are stored”.

Not only was The Moon & Farmer McPhee launched at the Ashburton Art Gallery on 6th November 2010 it was also dedicated to Kathryn Mitchell the then Manager/Curator of the Gallery. “We are overjoyed for both David and Margaret, and look forward to David’s next publications”.

ENDS

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