Author Matt Elliot, whose book 'Nice Day for a War' was named Book of the Year at the 2012 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Photo / Supplied
Author Matt Elliot, whose book 'Nice Day for a War' was named Book of the Year at the 2012 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Photo / Supplied
The true story of a World War l Kiwi soldier has won the country's highest honour in children's writing at the annual New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards, presented in Wellington tonight.
Nice Day for a War, by author Matt Elliot and illustrated by Chris Slane was named Children's Bookof the Year. The book is based on the original diaries of Elliot's grandfather, Corporal Cyril Elliot.
"Nice Day for a War is a stand-out book which offers young readers an honest glimpse into the lives of soldiers during World War I,'' said Gillian Candler, the Awards Convenor of Judges.
A picture book, The Cat's Pyjamas by first time published writer and illustrator Catherine Foreman, won the Children's Choice Award. The award is heralded as a significant indicator of audience opinion.
The book's main character enchanted children throughout New Zealand with his colourful collection of pyjamas; one for every day of the week.
"Both versions of this beautiful book have a timeless quality, with the story dealing sensitively with the sad drowning of a cousin,'' Ms Candler said.
WINNERS: New Zealand Post Children's Book of the Year Nice Day for a War by Matt Elliott and illustrated by Chris Slane (HarperCollins Publishers) Children's Choice Award The Cat's Pyjamas by Catherine Foreman (Scholastic New Zealand) Best First Book Award Super Finn by Leonie Agnew (Scholastic New Zealand) Picture Book category Rahui (Maori version) by Chris Szekely translated by Brian Morris and illustrated by Malcolm Ross (Huia Publishers) Rahui (English version) by Chris Szekely and illustrated by Malcolm Ross (Huia Publishers) Honour Award Shaolin Burning by Ant Sang (HarperCollins Publishers) Non-Fiction category Nice Day for a War by Matt Elliott and illustrated by Chris Slane (HarperCollins Publishers) Honour Award Digging Up The Past: Archaeology For The Young & Curious by David Veart (Auckland University Press) Junior Fiction category Super Finn by Leonie Agnew (Scholastic New Zealand) Honour Award The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else (Gecko Press) Young Adult Fiction category Calling the Gods by Jack Lasenby (HarperCollins Publishers) Honour Award The Bridge by Jane Higgins (Text Publishing Company)
Each Category Award winner received $7,500.
The winner of the New Zealand Post Children's Book of the Year Award took home an extra $7,500.
The winner of the Best First Book Award and the Children's Choice Award received prize money of $2,000 each.
