Fresh off an online ceremony (which you can watch here!) the results are in and your New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults winners are…
The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year and the Non-Fiction Award:
Mophead by Selina Tusitala Marsh
Selina couldn’t have known how timely it was going to be, and it’s such a gorgeous story. She obviously had her worries as a child. And for every worried child there are two worried parents. It’s the perfect storm, the production, the quirkiness, the story, the humour. – Ange Travers, Little Unity
Picture Book Award:
Abigail and the Birth of the Sun by Matthew Cunningham & Sarah Wilkins
It has vibrant and painterly illustrations of stars and planets … The relationship between Abigail and her father is sweet. The book encourages BIG questions which is neat. – Tara Black (in comic form)
Abigail and the birth of the sun
by Matthew Cunningham
Illustrated by Sarah Wilkins
Published by Puffin NZ
RRP $19.99
Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction:
Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan
…to find a story with such sparkling writing and characters who leap off the page in an intriguing, fast-paced adventure was very exciting. I absolutely loved clever, brave Lizard and his super talented friend Lili. – Jane Pearson, Text Publishing
Young Adult Fiction Award:
Aspiring by Damien Wilkins
In writing Aspiring, one of the things I wanted to get at was this kind of moment between two young people. The helplessness and surprise of being overtaken, run over by strong emotion, pulled out of shape by feeling. – Damien Wilkins
Our Young Adult Fiction Coverage
Russell Clark Award for Illustration:
The Adventures of Tupaia – illustrated by Mat Tait
The limited colour palette serves as a shortcut towards drama and emotional impact, while the pared-back illustrations are sophisticated, striking, dramatic and, ultimately, incredibly moving. – Book Awards Trust
Our Illustration Coverage (spreads and sketches)
The Adventures of Tupaia
by Courtney Sina Meredith
Illustrated by Mat Tait
Published by Allen & Unwin
RRP $35.00
Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori:
Tio Tiamu by Kuruhau & Laya Mutton-Rogers
He rawe ki ahau tēnei pukapuka, nā te mea he pukapuka pai kia whakaatu atu i te aroha o te tangata ki ngā tāngata katoa, ā, he pai hoki ki ahau nā te mea ko te āhua nei, he pūrākau tūturu tēnei. He pai hoki ki a au nā te mea ahakoa kāore te iwi o Tio Tiamu e pai ana ki a ia, ka ngana tonu ia ki te whakahoahoa atu ki a rātou. – Hineraukura Gabel
Best First Book Award:
#Tumeke! by Michael Petherick
A book has the author’s name on the cover, but that’s a lie. It’s a team. The editors, the illustrator, the designer are all in on it, and that made it easier. A book is like a village. You have to grow it together. – Michael Petherick
