The Children's Book Council Australia has announced the winners of its 2012 book of the year awards. This coincides with the start of Children's Book Week in Australia (18-24 August). The theme for Book Week in 2012 is 'Champions Read'. As usual there are some stunning books recognised, and many other wonderful books that did not win prizes. All shortlisted books and, in fact the longer list of over 100 books on the 2012 Notable Book List, should be considered (here). I will list and review the award winners and honour books then provide the full shortlist at the end.Book of the Year for Older Readers
This book will be a popular winner of the awards in 2012. It is suspenseful novel that deals with some dark yet real themes. This is the story of Aaron Rowe who is from a difficult background and lives in a caravan. He has dreams he can't explain, a tendency to sleep walk, and memories that he is unable to recover. He has just started an apprenticeship as a funeral director, which brings a stability he hasn't experienced before. But he must discover the truth about his hidden past, soon. John Marsden said of this book:
'I have never read a book more gripping, nor a book more triumphantly alive. I love how it haunts me still. I swear, I will never forget The Dead I Know'.
Suitable for readers 15+
HONOUR Book - 'A Straight Line to my Heart' by Bill Condon, Allen & Unwin
HONOUR Book - 'When We Were Two' by Robert Newton, Penguin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
Book of the Year for Younger Readers
This is a wonderful time-slip novel for younger readers aged 9-13 years. It tells the tale of Sadie who is upset when her mother takes her from home in the city to life in the country town of Boort. But in no time she begins to enjoy country life, two boys called Lachie and Walter, and even the ever-present crows. 'Crow' the totem of the Dja Dja Wurrung (an Indigenous tribe also known by the name Jaara people and Loddon River tribe), has plans for Sadie and she finds herself back in the 1920s involved in the life of Sarah Louise. There are wrongs to put right and Sadie will play her part as she witnesses a terrible crime. With Walter and Lachie Sadie faces the challenge of working out a way to right old wrongs.
HONOUR Book - 'Nanberry: Black Brother White' by Jackie French, Angus & Robertson Harper Collins Publishers
HONOUR Book - 'The Truth About Verity Sparks' by Susan Green, Walker Books Australia
Early Childhood Book of the Year
The Runaway Hug is the story of Lucy who when she asks for a hug is told:
'Oh dear,' said Mummy. 'I only have one left. It's my very last hug.'
Lucy goes to each member of her family giving and receiving hugs. All are nice, and all different. There were strong hugs from Daddy and peanut butter smelly ones from Lily. But when the hug is passed to the dog Annie, well! What will happen to the hug, and how will she get it back?
The Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood team is a wonderful one. Freya Blackwood's pencil, pen, charcoal and watercolour illustrations are as always, warm and delightful. With a softness that matches the story, they add their own special magic to this wonderful book.
HONOUR Book - 'Come Down, Cat!' by Sonya Hartnett, illustrator Lucia Masciullo Puffin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)HONOUR Book 'That’s Not a Daffodil!' by Elizabeth Honey, Allen & Unwin
Picture Book of the Year
In can't think of a Bob Graham book that I haven't loved, and this one is no exception. A broken, old bus appears one morning, outside Stella's house. It has a hand painted sign on the front, "Heaven". This is an opportunity for Stella; it offers a place for everyone to be together for play, meetings, games and stories. But when the bus is towed away she decides that she must fight to save the bus for the whole community. This is an uplifting story that shows how community members can work together for shared good.
HONOUR Book - 'The Dream of the Thylacine' by Margaret Wild, illustrator Ron Brooks, Allen & Unwin
HONOUR Book - 'Flood' by Jackie French, illustrator Bruce Whatley, Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia
Eve Pownall award for Best Information Book
WINNER - 'One Small Island: The Story of Macquarie Island', by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch, Penguin Group (Australia)
Macquarie Island lies in the Southern Ocean, between Antarctica and New Zealand. It is a speck of green in a vast and windswept sea, and a home for numerous creatures above and below the waterline.
In One Small Island, Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch tell the story of this World Heritage Site. The book explores the island's geological beginnings and later degradation at the hands of humans. Now, the efforts to restore it to its former state.
This book asks significant questions, not just of Macquarie Island, but also of our world in general. How can we sustain, preserve and restore the natural wonder of our world degraded by mankind's interventions?
HONOUR Book - 'The Little Refugee' by Anh Do & Suzanne Do, illustrator Bruce Whatley, Allen & Unwin
HONOUR Book - 'Surrealism for Kids' by Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art
The complete Shortlist complete with winners and honour books
Older Readers Short List 2012
'A Straight Line to my Heart' by Bill Condon, Allen & Unwin
'The Golden Day' by Ursula Dubosarsky, Allen & Unwin
'The Dead I Know' by Scot Gardner, Allen & Unwin
'Ship Kings: The Coming of the Whirlpool' by Andrew McGahan, Allen & Unwin
'When We Were Two' by Robert Newton, Penguin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
Independent Younger Readers Short List 2012
'Brotherband: The Outcasts' by John Flanagan, Random House Australia
'Nanberry: Black Brother White' by Jackie French, Angus & Robertson Harper Collins Publishers
'The Truth About Verity Sparks' by Susan Green, Walker Books Australia
'The Golden Door' by Emily Rodda, Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
'Bungawitta' by Emily Rodda, Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
Early Childhood Short List 2012
'Come Down, Cat!' by Sonya Hartnett, illustrator Lucia Masciullo Puffin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
'That’s Not a Daffodil!' by Elizabeth Honey, Allen & Unwin
'The Last Viking' by Norman Jorgensen, illustrator James Foley, Fremantle Press
'No Bears' by Meg McKinlay, illustrator Leila Rudge, Walker Books Australia
'Rudie Nudie' by Emma Quay, ABC Books, HarperCollins
Picture Book Short List 2012
'The Dream of the Thylacine' by Margaret Wild, illustrator Ron Brooks, Allen & Unwin
'For All Creatures' by Glenda Millard, illustrator Rebecca Cool, Walker Books Australia
'A Bus Called Heaven' by Bob Graham, Walker Books
'No Bears' by Meg McKinlay, illustrator Leila Rudge Walker Books Australia
'Flood' by Jackie French, illustrator Bruce Whatley, Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books Short list 2012
'One Small Island: The Story of Macquarie Island', by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch, Penguin Group (Australia)
'Surrealism for Kids' by Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art
'Bilby Secrets' by Edel Wignell, illustrator Mark Jackson, Walker Books Australia
'Fromelles: Australia's Bloodiest Day at War' by Carole Wilkinson, Black Dog Books
'Playground' by Nadia Wheatley (Ed), illustrator Ken Searle, Allen & Unwin
Notable List 2012
CBCA also announced its 2012 Notable List earlier in the year. This is a list of approximately 100 books (111 this year) published in the year of the awards, which are seen as worthy of the label a 'Notable' Australian Children's books. This is usually a wonderful resource and helps to overcome the tendency to assume that the only books worth purchasing are those shortlisted.
Read the list HERE
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