Best books for bright bairns
Since 1945, the Children's Book Council of Australia has recognised the best of children's literature with its annual Children's Book of the Year awards. Here's Time Out's pick of the most worthy nominees for 2008.
By Resli Buchel
A child's love of literature begins in babyhood
The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) recently released its short list of candidates for Children's Book of the Year 2008. But, with multiple nominations vying for the prize in five separate categories, there's still a lot of high quality kids literature to chose from.
Past winners of the award have become best sellers, and have become television series (Lockie Leonard, Legend by Tim Winton), stage productions (Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French), feature films (Looking For Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta; Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park; Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein), and childhood rites of passage for generations of little Australians (Possum Magic by Julie Vivas and Mem Fox; My Place by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins; John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat by Jenny Wagner).
The final CBCA Book of the Year prizes will not be awarded until August (at the start of Children's Book Week), but we've already checked out the cream of the crop and picked our favourites for Children's Book of the Year 2008.
Older Readers Shortlist 2008
Love Like Water Meme McDonald
Set in Alice Springs, pre-Mabo, Love Like Water tells the story of an unlikely romance between Cathy, who moved to the desert after the tragic death of her fiancé, and Jay, a city-born indigenous DJ. The lovers' homesickness and feelings of isolation draw a strong parallel to the Aboriginal concept that a man from ‘saltwater' country, like Jay, is not in his own world in the desert. Allen & Unwin, $19.95
Younger Readers Shortlist 2008
The Key To Rondo Emily Rodda
A mysterious music box with a special key and a hidden secret has been passed down through generations of Leo's family. Those who owned it before him understood its powers well, and placed strict limits on its use. But now that belongs to Leo, things have changed, and the fantastical world hidden beneath the gleaming black lid of the music box is about to be revealed... for better, or for worse. Omnibus Books/Scholastic Australia $29.95
Early Childhood Shortlist 2008
Pearl Barley And Charlie Parsley Aaron Blabey
This quaintly illustrated picture book tells the tale of best friends, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley. Pearl is curious and energetic, while Charlie is quieter and more peace loving. In fact, they are different in almost every way. So how can Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley be such good friends? Viking/Penguin Group Australia $24.95
Picture Book of the Year Shortlist 2008
Dust Colin Thompson (and 13 other illustrators)
Created by Colin Thompson and a team of fellow illustrators, this spectacular picture book was made in the name of the Save The Children fund, and all royalties from the sale of Dust continue to go to this worthy charity. The images deal with some of the less-than-perfect aspects of our world and are quite confrontational. However, rather than being dark or depressing, the book is a work of art children can understand and enjoy. ABC Books $24.95
Eve Pownall Shortlist 2008
Kokoda Track: 101 Days Peter Macinnis
The story of the Kokoda Track is the extraordinary story of a small force defeating a much larger one. In eight brutal weeks - from 20 August 1942 - a mere 550 soldiers slowed, and eventually stopped, the advance of 6000 experienced Japanese troops of the Nankai division across the massive Owen Stanley Range. However, what's most exceptional about Kokoda Track: 101 Days is not the tale itself, but the way it is told. Peter Macinnis makes the story of Kokoda accessible to children. Black Dog Books $16.95