16/8/02
Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale today highlighted the value of quality children's literature in expanding children's reading experiences when announcing the winners in this year's Children's Book of the Year Awards.
The awards, presented by the Children's Book Council of Australia, are recognised internationally as one of most elite awards presented to recognise excellence in writing for young people.
"These awards bring fine Australian books for young people to the attention of a wide audience, both within Australia and overseas," Ms McHale said.
"They will lead children and adults to first-class Australian literature for young people and encourage the writing and publishing of more and better children's books.
"The prestigious awards make a difference by expanding the reading choices for our children."
Ms McHale said the announcement of the Children's Book of the Year Awards provided an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Australian writers for young people.
"Western Australian writers such as Elaine Forrestal, Brigid Lowry, Tim Winton and Shaun Tan have had their considerable contributions to Australian children's literature recognised through these awards," she said.
Two panels of judges appointed by the Children's Book Council of Australia selected the award-winning books.
Eight judges from across Australia judged the four fiction categories and a WA-based panel selected the award winner in the non-fiction category.
The winners of this year's Children's Book Council of Australia Books of the Year and Honour Books are:
Book of the Year: Older Readers
Forest
by Sonya Hartnett
Published by Viking, Penguin Books Australia.
Honour Books: Older Readers
Mahalia
by Joanne Horniman
Published by Allen & Unwin.
When Dogs Cry
by Markus Zusak (ZOO-sack)
Published by Pan Macmillan Australia.
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
My Dog
by John Heffernan and Andrew McLean
Published by Margaret Hamilton Books, Scholastic Australia.
Honour Books: Younger Readers
A Different Sort of Real: The Diary of Charlotte McKenzie, Melbourne 1918-1919
by Kerry Greenwood
Published by Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia.
Have Courage, Hazel Green!
by Odo Hirsch
Published by Allen & Unwin.
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Let's Get a Pup!
by Bob Graham
Published by Walker Books Australia.
Honour Books: Early Childhood
Where Does Thursday Go?
by Janeen Brian and Stephen Michael King
Published by Margaret Hamilton Books, Scholastic Australia.
Baby Bilby, Where Do You Sleep?
By Narelle Oliver
Published by Lothian Books.
Picture Book of the Year
An Ordinary Day
by Armin Greder (GREE-der) and Libby Gleeson
Published by Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia
Honour Books: Picture Book of the Year
My Dog
by Andrew McLean and John Heffernan
Published by Margaret Hamilton Books, Scholastic Australia.
The Red Tree
by Shaun Tan
Published by Lothian Books.
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
Papunya (Per-PUN-ya) School Book of Country and History
by Papunya School Publishing Committee
Published by Allen & Unwin.
Honour Books: Eve Pownall
Soldier Boy: The True Story of Jim Martin, the Youngest Anzac
by Anthony Hill
Published by Penguin Books Australia.
Baby Bilby, Where Do You Sleep?
by Narelle Oliver
Published by Lothian Books.
Minister's Office - 9213 6900
