Little blue penguin swims into another nomination

Little blue penguin swims into another nomination

Already a finalist in the LIANZA Children and Young Adult Book Awards, Mōtītī Blue and the Oil Spill: A story from the Rena Disaster has just been announced as a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

The bilingual picture book is the second book for children by Tauranga author and librarian Debbie McCauley. “It’s fantastic to be nominated,” says Debbie. “New Zealand is a place that inspires creativity with writers and illustrators producing some excellent work for children”.

Mōtītī Blue tells the story of a little blue penguin caught up in Rena’s oil spill before being rescued and treated at the Te Maunga Oiled Wildlife Response Centre. “The disaster was devastating, not only for the people of the area, but for the many thousands of birds and sea creatures who were covered in the toxic oil,” says Debbie. “I’ve tried to tell a positive story out of all the carnage caused by the oil spill. The story of the thousands of sea creatures that died was just too sad to be the main focus of a children’s book”.

With it’s simple text, Mōtītī Blue is useful as a read aloud for children. The text is supported by an abundance of fact boxes, along with a timeline, maps and graphics. The beautiful cover is by Tauranga artist Elliot Mason and the translation into Te Reo Māori by Tamati Waaka.

The layout of the book was a collaboration between Debbie and book designer Sarah Elworthy. “Sarah was just amazing,” says Debbie. “She was as committed to the story as I was. Her patience as we went back and forth with ideas and her incredible talent helped to bring the whole project together”.

Debbie’s indie publishing company, Mauao Publishing, has been receiving orders for Mōtītī Blue from around New Zealand as well as Australia and Germany. “Copies are held at the International Youth Library in Munich,” says Debbie, who is pleased that the story of the environmental disaster will not be forgotten.

Early next week Debbie flies to Wellington for the LIANZA Awards Ceremony which will be held at The National Library in Wellington on 15 June. The LIANZA Awards are sponsored by Hell Pizza and celebrate excellence in children’s books in New Zealand.

Debbie will also be taking part in an author tour of selected Tauranga schools as part of the New Zealand Book Awards and in conjunction with Tauranga City Libraries on Monday 3rd of August.

The winners of the New Zealand Book Awards will be announced on 13 August at Government House in Wellington at an event hosted by their Excellencies The Governor-General of New Zealand Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae.

ENDS

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