NZ Post Children's Finalists

The New Zealand Post Childrens Book awards are one of the highlights for Kiwi authors, illustrators and publishers. The finalists for 2008 have been announced and they are....(drum roll please)....

Picture Book
The King’s Bubbles by Ruth Paul (Scholastic New Zealand)
Out of the Egg, written and illustrated by Tina Matthews (Walker Books)
Rats! Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Random House New Zealand)
To the Harbour, written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer (Lopdell House Gallery)

Non Fiction
A Mini Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Land Birds by Andrew Crowe, illustrated by Dave Gunson (Penguin New Zealand)
Reaching the Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen (Penguin New Zealand)
Weather Watch New Zealand by Sandra Carrod, illustrated by Karsten Schneider and Richard Gunther (Reed New Zealand)
What is a Fish? By Feana Tu’akoi, designed by Vasanti Unka (Scholastic New Zealand)
Which New Zealand Spider? By Andrew Crowe (Penguin New Zealand)

Junior Fiction
Dead Dan’s Dee by Phyllis Johnston (Longacre Press)
The Dumpster Saga by Craig Harrison (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Mad Tadpole Adventure by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic New Zealand)

My Story Sitting on the Fence: The Diary of Martin Daly, Christchurch 1981 by Bill Nagelkerke (Scholastic New Zealand)
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)

Young Adult Fiction

Salt by Maurice Gee (Penguin New Zealand)

The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)

Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)

The Transformation of Minna Hargreaves by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)

Zillah by Penelope Todd (Longacre Press)

The finalists were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2007 and submitted for the awards. NZ Post support a range of activities during April including author visits to schools and libraries so look out to see if there is something happening near you. The winners are announced in April. Check out these books (and many more fabulous local authors) at your Rodney Library.