The Storylines Notable Book List was established in 2000 to reflect the wide-ranging achievements of New Zealand authors and illustrators.
The Notable Books List is selected by a panel made up from the Storylines community, of current children’s literature professionals. The panel meets regularly throughout the year to discuss recently published books.
This year 36 books and 2 special mentions have been included in the Notable Books List, from 138 books considered.
Storylines Notable Picture Books
Books for children and/or young adults where the narrative is carried equally by pictures and story.
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Our Daft Dog Danny by Pamela Allen (Penguin / Viking).
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The Toymaker and the Bird by Pamela Allen (Penguin / Viking).
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There was a Crooked Man illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press).
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Cowshed Christmas text by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand).
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Greedy Cat and the Goldfish text by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Robyn Belton (Scholastic New Zealand).
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The Cat with No Name text by Sher Foley, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Scholastic New Zealand).
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Aunt Concertina and her Niece Evalina text by Paula Green, illustrated by Michael Hight (Random House New Zealand).
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Your Mother Didn’t Do That! text by Sharon Holt, illustrated by Brian Lovelock (Walker Books Australia).
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Old Hu-Hu text by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll (Scholastic New Zealand).
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Tiny Miss Dott and her Dotty Umbrella text by Michelle Osment, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson (Scholastic New Zealand).
Storylines Notable Junior Fiction
Fiction suitable for primary and intermediate-aged children.
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Saffron by Victoria Azaro (Mallinson Rendel).
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Glory by Fifi Colston (Scholastic New Zealand).
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Friends: Snake and Lizard text by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press).
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Dog Tucker by K. Drinkwater (Scholastic New Zealand).
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Salt River by Elizabeth Hegarty (Scholastic New Zealand).
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Sting by Raymond Huber (Walker Books Australia).
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The Secret of Jelly Mountain by Des Hunt (Scholastic New Zealand).
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The Dark Blue 100-Ride Bus Ticket by Margaret Mahy (HarperCollins New Zealand).
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Doghead by Jill Marshall (Macmillan Children’s Books).
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The Strange and Diverting Story of the Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe (Longacre Press).
Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction
Fiction suitable for upper intermediate and secondary school students.
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End of the Alphabet by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand).
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Saving Sam by Susan Brocker (HarperCollins New Zealand).
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Brainjack by Brian Falkner (Walker Books Australia).
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Tribal Ash [Chronicles of Stone; book 3] by Vince Ford (Scholastic New Zealand).
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The Crossing [Blood of the Lamb; book 1] by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand).
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Banquo’s Son by Tania Roxborogh (Penguin New Zealand).
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About Griffen’s Heart by Tina Shaw (Longacre Press).
The judging panel would like to make special mention of Bone Tiki by David Hair (HarperCollins New Zealand). The author currently lives in India and therefore is not eligible for inclusion in the list. However, the panel considers Bone Tiki to be worthy of inclusion in the notable books list for New Zealand young adults.
Storylines Notable Non-Fiction
For authoritative, well-designed information books accessible to children and young adults.
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Counting the Stars: Four Mâori Myths by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand).
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Ben and Mark: Boys of the High Country text by Christine Fernyhough, photographs by John Bougen (Random House New Zealand).
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Save Our Seas text by Maria Gill, illustrated by Vivienne Lingard (New Holland).
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Blast!: Pat Hanley – The Painter and His Protests by Trish Gribben (Lopdell House).
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E3 Call Home by Janet Hunt (Random House New Zealand).
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Willie Apiata, VC the Reluctant Hero by Paul Little with John Lockyer (Puffin New Zealand).
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Nature’s Techno Tricks: Biomimetrics: Science Mimicking Nature by Dee Pignéguy (Papawai Press).
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Dear Alison: A New Zealand Soldier’s Story from Stalag 383 edited by Simon Pollard (Penguin New Zealand).
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Wearing the Poppy by AJ Toledo (HarperCollins New Zealand).
The judging panel would like to make special mention of The Word Witch by Margaret Mahy, edited by Tessa Duder, illustrated by David Elliot (HarperCollins New Zealand). Margaret's poems have been in print previously, and therefore are not eligible for inclusion in the list. However the panel considers The Word Witch to be a treasure for New Zealand children and families.
