EMBARGOED News Release for use after
19:00pm, Monday 18th August, 2008
Master illustrator awarded the Russell Clark Award today.
Christchurch based author and illustrator Gavin Bishop has received The Russell Clark Award for his intriguing hardcover
picture book Rats (Random House), awarded at the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony at the National Library,
Wellington today. The Russell Clark Award was established in 1975 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to
illustrated children’s books. Gavin Bishop has been a regular recipient of LIANZA nominations and awards and was the
winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year 2008 for Snake and Lizard along with Joy Cowley. The judges described
Rats as “a brilliant story, from a master illustrator that will be around for a long time.”
Wellington writer and teacher Mandy Hager was awarded New Zealand’s longest running book prize, The Esther Glen Award.
The Award was established in 1944 and is given to the author who is considered to have made the most distinguished
contribution to literature for children. The prize was presented to Hager for her young adult fiction book, Smashed
(Random House) and is defined by judges as “a stand-out story about seeking the truth, with characters that are
believable, strong and still in our minds long after we close the covers.”
Graphic Designer Heather Arnold claimed the Elsie Locke Award for her first book Draw New Zealand Birds. A step by step
guide. (Raupo). The judges described Arnold’s book as “a timeless professionally written book…” The Elsie Locke Award
was established in 1986 and celebrates a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people.
The Te Kura Pounamu was presented to Kai Ora! 2 – Tikanga a Iwi series (Hana Ltd) by Kararaina Uatuku, Hana Pomare,
Charisma Rangipunga, Hana O’Regan and Che Wilson. The Te Kura Pounamu celebrates a work in te reo Māori that promotes
excellence in library resources in Māori and makes a distinguished contribution to literature for children and young
people. The judges said this fantastically photographed series was “unique with nothing else available on the topics in
Maori or English.”
Judging Panel Convenor Bob Docherty congratulated New Zealand authors, “there is real quality writing and such a variety
of genre and style”.
The LIANZA Children’s Book Awards ceremony is sponsored by Wheelers Books. The awards celebrate the unique contribution
made to cultural heritage and national identity by New Zealand authors and illustrators. Each award consists of a medal
or taonga and $1,000 prize money.
ENDS
About LIANZA
The Library & Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa: Te Rau Herenga o Aotearoa (LIANZA) is the professional organisation
for the New Zealand library and information services sector.
LIANZA serves and promotes the interests of New Zealand library and information industry and professionals by providing
continuing professional development, awards and recognition, publications and resources, advocacy and collegial support.
LIANZA plays a key coordination role in the industry and through its regional and special interest group infrastructure
provides organisational structure for members seeking mutual support. LIANZA is a member of the International Federation
of Library Associations (IFLA). For further information about LIANZA visit http://www.lianza.org.nz/
Notes to Editors
1. To be eligible for the 2008 prize, books must have first been published in New Zealand between 1 January 2007 and 31
December 2007. The authors or illustrators must be New Zealand citizens or residents
2. A list of previous award winners can be found at: http://www.lianza.org.nz/development/awards/childrens.html