Win win

There were a host of winners at last night’s NZ Post Children’s Books awards. First the magnificent venue, (the old Wellington Town Hall), the enthusiastic audience, the wonderful actors who performed excerpts from the finalists, and even the amazing Narnia-like entrance to the awards (see the pic on the left). Magic. And nice one Booksellers NZ, New Zealand Post, Saatchi & Saatchi, judges and all. But the real winners on the night (given here with the judges' comments) were:

Junior Fiction
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, published by Gecko Press.
“An utterly delightful book, a lucky dip that will make you laugh and sigh and read all over again. The words and characters are a sheer joy.”

Young Adult Fiction
Salt by Maurice Gee published by Penguin New Zealand
“Here is a dramatic story of escape and rescue, loss and love set against a backdrop of enslavement and the rise and fall of a civilisation.”

Young Adult Fiction Honour Award
The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie published by Longacre Press.
“This exciting page-turner is charged with confident writing, strong characters and a convincing evocation of wind-swept island life.”

Non Fiction
Which New Zealand Spider? by Andrew Crowe published by Penguin New Zealand.
“This often entertaining overview of those eight legged, eight eyed creatures we love to hate, shows just how appealing and comprehensive non-fiction can be when presented by the right hands.”

Picture Book
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly published by Random House New Zealand
“It’s a book that pushes boundaries, successfully weaves fiction with non-fiction. It leads with fresh innovative artwork and jumps into your head with its sparkling, snappy dialogue while giving readers a poignant but optimistic understanding of the dangers facing our national icon.”

Picture Book Honour Award
To the Harbour, written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer published by Lopdell House Gallery.
“The artwork is outstanding, the text memorable and evocative, the book’s production values superb. Here is a book from a new publisher that certainly gives established publishing houses a run for their money.”

Best First book
Out of the Egg, by Tina Matthews, published by Walker Books.
“A multilayered book that reinvigorates a traditional tale by reimagining it afresh for a new generation. It's a subtle and witty look at consumerism and self-interest. It's a story wonderfully delineated by its illustrations and considered use of colour.

Children’s Choice Award
The King’s Bubbles, by Ruth Paul, published by Scholastic New Zealand.

And taking out the top prize were none other than the inspired pairing (via Gecko Press) of Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop.

New Zealand Post Book of the Year 2008
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, published by Gecko Press.
“a book that deserves a readership beyond its intended audience, a book whose high production values mirrors the exemplary work of its author and illustrator. Both witty and wise, these timeless stories are utterly engaging. They make you laugh, sigh and read them all over again.”

Well done, and congratulations to all the winners. The judges noted that this year over 130 books were submitted for the awards, books that dealt not only with NZ themes, “but also with other parts of the world, both real and imagined - and that surely is the voice of a confident and vibrant sector.”