Rodney Writes writing competition 2010 winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Rodney Writes writing competition for 2010. The awards ceremony was held last night at Whangaparaoa Library. The three judges, Lorraine Orman (Young Writers), Helen Kirkman (Novice) and Sue Orr (Premier) commented positively on the entries.
MC Stu Duvall presided over the ceremony for a small but enthusiastic group of people. Mayor Penny Webster also spoke.

Thanks to Rodney District Council for supporting the competition again this year.

Winners

Premier
1st - Wes Lee
Runner-up - Fay Cameron

Novice
1st - Brenda Howsen
Runner-up- Cathy Clarke

Young Writers
1st - Alice Allfree
Runner-up - Tom Vasey


The winning stories will be published on the Rodney District Council website in the near future.

More great Children's Books

Time to highlight some more of the books which are finalists in the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards.

The Word Witch is an apt description for renowned Kiwi children's author Margaret Mahy. Tessa Duder has collected some of her poems, David Elliot has provided illustrations and the result is this fantastic book which both parents and children will chuckle over. The description in the "Good Book Guide" is brilliant. "The Word Witch can lasso with a limerick, haunt with a haiku and wrap you tight in a rhyme as quick as lightning. Her cauldron is a dictionary, her wand a might pen, and she stirs her words at midnight, making tempting treats for children."

If you haven't already heard of The Wonky Donkey then there are obviously no children in your life. What started out as an award-winning song by Craig Smith is in the running to become an award winning book. It is cheeky, mischevious and fun.

The ever popular Piggity Wiggity Jiggity Jig is back, this time going on a lunchtime visit to his Dad's cafe. Lovely lilting language to get the tongue around and also a good read to pick up for those who have picky eaters in the family. Look out soon for the third Piggity book by Diana Neild and illustrator Philip Webb - Piggity Wiggity Jiggity Jig and the School Concert.

Old Hu-Hu is a lovely picture book by Kyle Mewburn celebrating life. Hu-Hu-Too is looking for Old Hu-Hu. "Old Hu-Hu flew to the moon and back. Then fellto the ground. Dead." But Hu-Hu-Too doesn't understand, especially wheneveryone tells him something different. The simple story is supported bystunning illustrations from Rachel Driscoll. It is a perfect book with aKiwi flavour to share with any child, but would be especially good to helpthose who have lost someone special, be it human or pet.

NZ Post have produced their annual Kiwi Kids' Good Book Guide and copies of this are available at your local library.

Hello Rodney Schools

The Mayor's Reading Challenge has kicked off and as part of the Challenge both the Mayor and some of our Children's Librarians are visiting lots of schools in the district.

Yesterday Mayor Penny Webster visited Matakana Primary School (with Warkworth Children's Librarian Anne) and then Tauhoa Primary School in the afternoon.

This morning Penny and Anne were out at sunny Leigh Primary School reading, talking about the Challenge and answering questions (there were some really brilliant questions, such as "What is the oddest thing you have ever had to do as Mayor?")

This afternoon, Kumeu Children's Librarian is heading out to Waimauku School to talk to the Year 7 and 8 students.

Wednesday will see the Rodney Libraries Roadshow visit Coatesville Primary school with Mayor Penny popping in to say hello there as well.

There are also visits planned for Snells Beach, Red Beach and Kaipara Flats. If there are any other schools out there that would like a visit from either the Mayor, the local librarians or one of your Councillors as part of the Mayor's Reading Challenge, please email anne.dickson@rodney.govt.nz.

Stories and Science combined in NZ Post finalists

Here are another two of the finalists in the NZ Post Children's Book Awards.

One is by local Rodney author Maria Gill who is a Matakana resident. "Rangitoto : te toka tu moana : the rock standing in the ocean" is a superbly crafted book which successfully marries up several different strands. There is the story of Rangitoto from the beginning of time through until today, told in an easy read aloud style. There are also strands concentrating on the science of volcanic activity and on the flora and fauna through the evolution of the island. Heather Arnold has provided skilled illustrations to reflect all these different parts of the book.

Similar in that it both tells a story and provides background information on the science is "E3 call home: a true story of godwit migration and misadventure" by Janet Hunt. E3 the godwit was tagged in February 2007, about a month before the flock of birds began their annual migration to Alaska. But E3 was different from the rest of the birds, including E7 who travelled with them. He struggled to keep up and instead of heading north, he ended up turning back and getting lost in Australia. Will everyone make it back to New Zealand? There's lots packed into the pages of this children's book.

Community Grants Information Evenings

A series of information evenings will be held in late May and early June for community groups wanting to find out more about funding available for existing and potential social services, recreational and community organisations. This year, the Council adopted a new Community Support Grants Policy which will guide the distribution of over $460,000. The new policy includes several new grants available to community groups.

The Community Grants scheme, which has been operating for a number of years, will also be available once again this year with another $164,000 available for distribution.

Applications for the funds will open on 7 June and close on 30 July 2010.

The information evenings will also provide information on the council’s Environmental Education Fund and Creative Communities Scheme.

The information evenings will be held at the following locations:
Helensville (Monday 31 May, Helensville War Memorial Hall)
Warkworth (Tuesday 1 June, New Masonic Hall, Warkworth)
Silverdale (Wednesday 2 June, St Johns Hall, Silverdale)

All sessions will commence at 6.30pm, with people asked to arrive at 6.15pm.
For more information on grants and funding, please visit the Rodney District Council website