Feeling like some better news? Australia’s most coveted prize for children’s literature – and one of its most lucrative – has been announced, with a quarter of the top spots going to WA creatives.
In the internationally renowned Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, Fremantle Press author Kelly Canby’s Timeless won Picture Book of the Year, Peter Cheong’s Every Night at Midnight got Shadower’s Choice in the same category, and Briony Stewart’s Gymnastica Fantastica won Early Childhood Book of the Year.
In Timeless, Emit’s parents are too busy to read stories or play games, and his brother and sister are too busy doing nothing to do anything at all. Emit tries everything he can think of to get more time – catch it? Wait for it? But it’s not until Emit tries to buy some that he learns the secret: you have to make it.Credit: Fremantle Press
Sales-wise, this is one of the most lucrative awards in children’s literature.
“Even being shortlisted can result in a doubling or tripling of sales because booksellers, teachers and librarians hold these awards in high esteem,” said Fremantle Press chief executive Alex Allan.
“The bump in sales really supports our creators – helping them to keep doing what they do best.”
Timeless′ author Kelly Canby said the award was like being told you were on the right track.
“I would still work and make art and write books without the recognition and encouragement, because it’s what I do; but possibly I wouldn’t be quite so brave with some of my decisionmaking,” she says.
The judges described Timeless as witty, entertaining and visually delightful and Gymnastica as conveying so much energy and life that it will connect with children immediately.
CBCA WA Branch President Kris Williams pointed out that Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac were also awarded Honour Book in the Eve Pownell Award for Where History Happened, which the judges described as “another outstanding contribution to the story of our country by this prolific and brilliant duo.”
Nice work, WA!