Words Out West - Children's Literature

2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards - Shortlist

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:39:00 +1000

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has announced 29 great Australian titles that have made it onto the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlists. Minister Garrett said being shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards is a great achievement for authors that will bring further public recognition of their writing. For the first time, Young Adult Fiction and Children's Fiction categories have been added to the awards. Here is the Fiction shortlist: Summertime, J.M. Coetzee; The Book of Emmett, Deborah Forster; The Lakewoman, Alan Gould; Dog Boy, Eva Hornung; Ransom, David Malouf Lovesong, Alex Miller; and As the Earth turns Silver, Alison Wong. The Children's Fiction shortlist includes Harry and Hopper, Margaret Wild and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Find out more about the shortlists at www.arts.gov.au/pmliteraryawards/shortlists

Freya Blackwood wins UK Kate Greenwood Medal

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:49:00 +1000

Congratulations to our very own Freya Blackwood who has won The Kate Greenwood Medal, the UK's most prestigious children's illustration award. Her prize-winning illustrations are inspired by the memory of a beloved pet dog in Harry & Hopper. The Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955, for distinguished illustration in a book for children. It is named after the popular nineteenth century artist known for her fine children's illustrations and designs. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. To read more http://www.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/trade-news/freya-blackwood-wins-2010-cilip-kate-greenaway-medal or http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2010awards/

Illustrator Freya Blackwood on Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlist

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:36:00 +1000

Dogs, cats, forest fauna, rabbits in top hats, graveyard ghosts, imaginary headgear, a bizarre crowning glory and a band of kids determined to get their own back on a horrible teacher parade across the pages of the eight books shortlisted for this year's the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Kate Greenaway Medal, the UK's oldest and most prestigious award for children's book illustration. In their widely contrasting styles, the illustrations in these eight shortlisted titles encourage children of all ages to consider the world in new ways from the place between magic and reality (Leon and the Place Between); the sad death of a much-loved pet (Harry and Hopper illustrated by Freya Blackwood with text by Margaret Wild); the importance of looking after our environment (The Great Paper Caper); the power of the imagination (Millie's Marvellous Hat and Crazy Hair); life after death (The Graveyard Book); what teamwork can achieve (The Dunderheads), and the sheer playfulness of felines (There Are Cats in This Book). The Chair of this year's CILIP Kate Greenaway judging panel is Margaret Pemberton:"The 2010 shortlist proves that picture books are not just for pre-schoolers. Illustrations can enrich the reading experience of all age-groups, and the eight titles in contention for the 2010 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal are outstanding examples of this". The 2010 winners will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in central London on Thursday 24th June. WooHoo! Congratultations on being shortlisted Freya. For more details go to: http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/greenaway/current_shortlist.php http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2010awards/greenaway_illustrators.php

Patricia Wrightson Prize for Childrens Literature Nominees

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +1000

Illustrator Freya Blackwood and writer Margaret Wild's book Harry and Hopper is in the running for the Patricia Wrightson Prize (children's literature) in the Premier's Literary Awards. Freya has also been nominated in the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards (early Childhood) for her work with author Libby Gleeson in the book Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House. Here's some more details about the Harry and Hopper: Ever since he was a jumpy little puppy, Hopper has done everything with Harry. One day when Harry comes home from school Hopper isn't there to greet him and Harry realises his dog will never be there again. The shock and grief Harry feels at the sudden death of his beloved pet is all-consuming and he deals with it in his own way. But he gradually learns that in his memory Hopper can be with him always. Margaret Wild's story is poignant, warm and ultimately satisfying. There is an economy or words in her writing style that convey the story of this special relationship with style and the touch of a true professional. Freya Blackwood's expressive and tender illustrations capture the mood of the story perfectly and enhance the relationship between Harry and his dog. A definite tear jerker for all ages. Check out Freya's website www.freyablackwood.net and Margaret Wild's www.scholastic.com.au/common/books/contributor_profile.asp?ContributorID=66&channel=kids And to read about all the shortlisted writers head to: www.pla.nsw.gov.au/awards-shortlists.

Children's author and illustrator Talk at Orange City Library

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:15:00 +1000

Join in talks by author Libby Gleeson and local illustrator Freya Blackwood when they tell school children about their latest book Clancy & Millie and the Very Fine House. The book is published by Little Hare Books and was launched just this month. It is about a little boy called Clancy who has moved to a new house that is huge and unfamiliar. He is missing his old house terribly - the new house is much too big and much too lonely. How will he ever make it his home? As despair takes hold Clancy hears a small voice. Soon, Clancy with the help of his new friend Millie is building towers to the sky and trains to the street outside, and together they build the home that Clancy thought he had lost forever. Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood will be speaking at Orange City Library on Friday 30 October at these times: 9.30am 10.30am; 11.30am 12.30pm; 1.30pm 2.30pm. Come along and sit in on one of the talks by this award-winning team. The event is supported by Boomers Bookshop & ABC Centre. They will also be siging books on Saturday morning (1st Nov) at the bookstore from 11am.

2009 Text Prize Young Adult Writing Winner

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:25:00 +1000

Winner of The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing in 2009 is... Leanne Hall for This Is Shyness. Text are excited about Leanne's compelling novel about two teenagers finding their place in a world that is increasingly difficult to understand. This is Shyness follows Wolfboy and Wildgirl through one night in Shyness, a city where the sun never rises. On a quest to retrieve a stolen card, they confront the menacing Kidds and push themselves to the boundaries of their fears as they help each other face the pain in their lives. It's a highly original story from an exciting new talent. Text would like to thank all those who entered the competition and to congratulate the shortlisted writers. The standard of entries was extremely high. Please watch the Text website for details of the 2010 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing. And keep writing! Text hope you have been following the success of last year's winner The Billionaire's Curse, which is on sale now. The rights have already been sold into five territories, and author Richard Newsome is appearing at the Melbourne Writers Festival. To read an interview with Leanne Hall and to find out more about this competition go to the Text Publishing website www.textpublishing.com.au

Help Charlotte Calder launch Children's Book Stuck!

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:27:00 +1000

One warm and windy day, Charlie and his friends decide to fly a kite. It takes off and soars and swoops and plunges straight into a tree. The kite is stuck. One by one, Charlie's friends each try to free the kite with their toys all of which end up stuck in the tree along with the kite. Just when it looks as though everything is stuck forever, the cat loses its footing on a branch and sets off a chain reaction, sending their toys to the ground. But guess who is stuck now?" Orange City Library together with Book City and Children's Medical Research Institute present Charlotte Calder reading her new children's book Stuck! beautifully illustrated by Mark Jackson, published by Walker Books at Storytime 11am on Tuesday 25 August at Orange City Library. You can also meet Charlotte and help this local author launch the book during Children's Book Week at the Charlotte Calder Author Talk Tuesday 25 August, 5.30pm for 6pm, refreshments served at Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange. Your $5 donation supports the Children's Medical Research Institute. Please RSVP to 6393 8132

Position open for compiling on-line magazine

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:56:00 +1000

Have you ever wanted to compile a fortnightly, online national children's literature industry magazine (www.buzzwordsmagazine.com)? This is a work-your-own-hours-from-home, be-your-own boss, paying position. If you are interested, please contact Dianne (Di) Bates dibates@enterprisingwords.com or phone (02) 4284 3020.