Congratulations to the LIANZA Children's Book Award Winners

The Library & Information Association (LIANZA) has paid tribute to some of New Zealand’s most famous writers and artists in their annual LIANZA Children's Book Award Winners. 

Hill and Hole by Kyle Mewburn and Vasanti Unka, (Puffin Books) has won the 2011 Russell Clark medal. The judges said that Hill & Hole is an inspiring treasure that conveys envy, affection and contentment of a hole and a hill.

The content and calibre of illustrations are stunning with multi layered original paintings and collage.  Pene Walsh said “this book has all the makings of a classic, one that will be treasured by today’s children in 50 years time”.
 

Northland based Diana Menefy received the LIANZA Esther Glen medal, New Zealand’s oldest book prize for The Shadow of the Boyd, (HarperCollins Publishers (NZ) Ltd).

Based on a true story The Shadow of the Boyd tells a powerful tale from our colonial past, the bitter clash of two cultures from the point of view of Thomas Davidson, an apprentice sailor who survived the infamous massacre of the Boyd.

Read more about who Esther Glen was.

Fierce September by Wellingtonian Fleur Beale,(Random House New Zealand) received the LIANZA Young Adult medal and poignantly deals with a community’s transition into life in New Zealand where they don’t know everyone, where life has changed fundamentally and they are living isolated like refugees.

Fierce September can be read as a standalone novel but Belynda Smith, judge and panel convenor, is holding her breath for a third book in the Juno series.

The Te Kura Pounamu was awarded for the first time to a graphic novel, Ngarimu: te tohu toa researched and retold by Kawata Teepa and illustrated by Andrew Burdan, (Huia Publishers).

Te Kura Pounamu judge Alice Heather loved that this story of a well known Māori war hero, Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, has been brought to young readers in a graphic novel format. “This story covers Ngarimu’s heroic leadership of his platoon resulting in his death and him subsequently becoming the first Māori recipient of the Victoria Cross,” she said.

Te Tohu Hoani Whatahoro donated by the whanau of Hoani Te Whatahoro Jury in memory of his work, for te wahanga pukapuka pono the nonfiction section was presented to the Kapa, Te Niu, Te Mata o Tuna, a Hina raua ko Mo’o Kuna series (HANA Limited).

Te Tohu Pounamu donated by Buddy Tainui of Ngai Tahu and Aoraki LIANZA was awarded to the Haumi e the te reo magazine edited by Julian Arahanga, illustrated by Andrew Burdan (Huia Publishers).

Te Tohu Taurapa, donated by Palmerston North City Libraries, Te Ara Whanui o te Ao for te wahanga Pukapuka Pikitia – the picture book section was presented to Manu Haututu by June Peka, illustrated by Jo Thapa and retold by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Scholastic).

Te Tohu Nga Kete e toru was donated by the Wellington Region LIANZA Bicultural SIG. This award is for te wahanga pukapuka Paki - the fiction section and was presented to He ora kupu series by Peti Nohotima (He Kupenga Hao I Te Reo).

The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards arejudged by librarian’s and supported by Caffe L’affare, Fishpond Limited and The Children’s Bookshop, Wellington.