‘The New Zealand Post Book Awards… have given
children’s literature in this country rightful status. Clearly
this is good for the authors of children’s books; but I believe
that the greater benefit goes to the children of Aotearoa.
‘The award validates them as readers who have
their own authority and who are deserving of standards of
excellence.
‘From this compulsory distance I send my
sincere thanks, New Zealand Post, on the behalf of our beautiful
tamariki.’
The
category winners and honour awards recipients in the New Zealand
Post Book Awards 2008 are:
Picture Book
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi
by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by
Ali Teo
&
John O'Reilly
(Random House New Zealand)
Honour
Award: To
The Harbour written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer (Lopdell
House Gallery)
Non Fiction
Which
New Zealand Spider?
By Andrew Crowe. (Penguin New Zealand)
Honour Award:
Reaching The Summit
by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen (Penguin New Zealand)
Junior Fiction and New Zealand Post Book of the Year
Snake
and Lizard
by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin
Bishop. (Gecko Press)
Young Adult
Salt
by Maurice Gee. (Penguin New Zealand)
Honour
Award:
The
Sea-Wreck Stranger
by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
Best First Book Award
Out of The Egg
written and
illustrated by Tina Matthews.
(Walker Books)
Children’s Choice Award
The
King’s Bubbles
by Ruth Paul (Scholastic)
The winner of each category was awarded with
$7,500. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year
Award takes home an extra $7,500. The winner of the Best First
Book and the Children’s Choice Award receive prize money of
$2,000 each. The honour awards were presented in three
categories this year. These awards are discretionary and are
awarded in recognition of particular features in each book. For
the first time this year, all honour award recipients received a
monetary award of $500.
New Zealand Post has been a steadfast sponsor
of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young
Adults since 1997. Its partnership has seen the awards flourish,
growing from strength to strength over the last decade. New
Zealand Post’s support of these awards reflects their deep
commitment to promoting literacy and literature throughout the
country. Working closely with Booksellers New Zealand, New
Zealand Post and other dedicated segments of the community
actively encourage New Zealand children to read and enjoy books.
For those with limited access to new works, New Zealand Post
also purchases and distributes books by the New Zealand Post
Book Awards finalists by supporting the Books in Homes programme
each year.
The New Zealand Post Book Awards are also
supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd and
are administered by Booksellers New Zealand.
