March 2012.
March already!
This month, we're gearing up to celebrate at the annual Storylines Margaret Mahy Day - where we'll acknowledge the lifelong work and achievements of the 2012 Storylines Margaret Mahy Award winner, the fabulous Fleur Beale. Also among the award winners will be Uncle Trev - well, his creator, Jack Lasenby!
Storylines members, if you haven't already purchased your tickets to the day, you will need to log in to the Storylines website to access the members' rate.
Looking foward to seeing you there!
Margaret Mahy Day and AGM 2012
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WHEN: Saturday 31 March. Registrations start at 9am. AGM from 9.30am.
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WHERE: King's School, 258 Remuera Road, Auckland.
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For more information and to book. NB: to qualify for the member rate, you will need to login from the homepage of the site before ordering your ticket.
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Kiwi classic wins Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book 2012 Wellington writer honoured.
A classic of New Zealand children's literature, Uncle Trev, has won Wellington writer Jack Lasenby the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book for 2012.
Described as 'unfailingly entertaining' yarns by a master storyteller, the first collection Uncle Trev was published in 1991, quickly followed by Uncle Trev and the Great South Plan and Uncle Trev and the Treaty of Waitangi. A fourth collection, Uncle Trev's Teeth and Other Stories was published six years later, with Uncle Trev and His Whistling Bull published this year.
The Gaelyn Gordon award is given annually by the Storylines Children’s Literature Association in memory of the late Hamilton novelist Gaelyn Gordon. It recognises a book unheralded at the time of publication but which has remained in print and proved itself an enduring favourite with young readers.
'Jack Lasenby's hilarious stories about archtypal New Zealand characters Uncle Trev, Aunt Effie and the horse Harry Whakatipu, introduce young readers to the rural New Zealand of his childhood,' says Storylines Trust chair Dr Libby Limbrick. 'He is often justly described as "the grand old man" of New Zealand children's literature, and Uncle Trev as one of its most endearing characters.'
The award will be presented at the Storylines annual Margaret Mahy Day in Auckland on Saturday, 31 March. For more information please contact Storylines Events Manager, Vicki Cunningham.
Book launches in Wellington!
Lucky Wellingtonians!
Next Wednesday 14 March at 6pm, The Children's Bookshop, Wellington, hosts the launch of The Red Poppy by David Hill and Fifi Colston. Check out their website for details, including how to book your space.
Thursday 5 April at 6.30pm, Paraparaumu Library hosts the launch of Reach by Hugh Brown - winner of the 2011 - and inaugural - Storylines Tessa Duder Award. Download the PDF flyer for more information.
Penguin Group (NZ) & Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust team up again with nationwide Short Story Awards for children.
School-children across the country are again being invited to show off their writing skills in this unique competition.
The competition, which aims to nurture young writing talent, is now open and culminates in an awards ceremony at the Storylines Festival Auckland Family Day on 26 August 2012. Entries are accepted in three categories: Junior (School Years 4-6), Intermediate (School Years 7-8) and Senior (School Years 9-11).
'A writing competition for young writers is a splendid way of encouraging young people to realise the power of words to inspire, entertain, inform, persuade and to explore ideas. Becoming a writer goes hand in hand with becoming a reader. Budding writers feed on the words of the authors. As they see themselves in the author role they become more perceptive and critical readers. Storylines is delighted to work in partnership with Puffin/Penguin in this short story competition. It aligns closely with our aims to support New Zealand writers and illustrators for children and to celebrate reading and writing for young people. We look forward to those who enter the competition being among our published writers of the future.' Dr Libby Limbrick, Chairperson of Storylines, Head of School of Arts, Languages and Literacies, Faculty of Education, University of Auckland.
Entries are now open. You can win an Apple IPad - there are three up for grabs! Category winners also get their hands on 50 books for their school library.
More information is now available including entry forms, entry criteria, teachers notes and a link to read last year's winning entries.
Kiwi Write4Kidz celebrates New Zealand Book Month.
Kiwi Write4Kidz have some great events coming up during March (New Zealand Book Month). Download the posters to find out more.
Storylines thanks zeald.com for their ongoing support of the Storylines website.
December 2011.
The end of the year is rapidly approaching! And, if you’re anything like me, your head is full of lists of things to be done quick-smart.
Just to add to your list – a quick round up of children’s literature type news. Happy reading and happy holidays! We’ll be in touch again in February.
~ Annie, Storylines editor.
Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award presentation.
There was a good crowd of well wishers at Turnbull House, in Wellington, on 21 November when booksellers Ruth and John McIntyre of the Children’s Bookshop in Kilbirnie were presented with the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for services to children’s literature. They were nominated for this award by the Wellington Children’s Book Association who not only put together a comprehensive and compelling nomination but also organised the venue and the refreshments. Those of us who went from Auckland to represent Storylines had only to make sure we didn’t miss our flights or forget the certificate. Flying to Wellington was a bit dodgy that day with flights delayed or cancelled because of high winds but we made it in plenty of time and were grateful for the organisational powers of the Wellington Children’s Book Association.
Betty herself was unable to be there but had written in appreciation of the choice of the McIntyres as a couple whose work in spreading the word about good children’s books went far beyond the call of duty. John and Ruth alternated in presenting an interesting overview of the development of their business, followed by a slideshow.
~ Helen Beckingsale.
Storylines manuscript awards numbers.
The judging panels have had their boxes of manuscripts delivered, and they’re all ready to read the entries.
The numbers this year are:
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The Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award 22 entries.
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The Storylines Joy Cowley Award 205 entries.
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The Storylines Tessa Duder Award 17 entries.
Arts Foundation Awards – honour for Dunedin illustrator.
Congratulations to Dunedin artist David Elliot, winner of the inaugural $10,000 Mallinson Rendel Award for a children's book illustrator.
Storylines members, including Trust chair Libby Limbrick and Trustees Rosemary Tisdall and Tessa Duder, were among the 500-plus audience at the Arts Foundation black tie dinner held at Auckland’s new Viaduct Events Centre on 28 November.
It was a truly splendid occasion, mingling with representatives of the art world - artists, dancers, choreographers, film makers, potters, photographers, actors and writers.
Ten artists were presented with awards totalling $360,000, including the Arts Foundation Laureate and New Generation Awards, the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award and the inaugural Mallinson Rendel Illustrator's Award.
The Mallinson Rendel Award was established through a donation from Ann Mallinson following the sale of Mallinson Rendel Publishing. To be presented biennially, the award recognises the extraordinary talent of New Zealand’s children's book illustrators and singles out one for special recognition of past achievement and ongoing potential. The judges were Joy Cowley, Graham Beattie and John McIntyre.
Storylines sends sincere congratulations to David, with thanks to Ann Mallinson for her vision and generosity in setting up the award. To have children's artists recognized among 'adult' awards was a fabulous sight to see!
If you're in Auckland, check out The Arts Foundation Wynyard Quarter Arts Series until 11 December.
Certificate in Literature and Library Services for Children and Young People.
Enrolments are now open for 2012 for the Certificate in Literature and Library Services for Children and Young People OP6273. For more information go to the Certificate's page on the Open Polytechnic site. If your 2012 enrolment is received before 5pm 19 December you will be charged 2011 fees, not 2012 fees, so it's worth your while enrolling early.
October 2011 enews.
This month we feature some pretty cool Storylines news!
Big virtual chocolate fish for our winners!
Three New Zealand books chosen for IBBY’s 2012 Honour List.
Three books by leading New Zealand writers and illustrators have been chosen for inclusion in the 2012 Honour List published by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).
They are, for writing, The Travelling Restaurant by Wellington author Barbara Else, and for illustration, The Moon & Farmer McPhee illustrated by Dunedin artist David Elliot, with text by Margaret Mahy.
For translation, the selected book is Hu-Hu Koroheke, the translation into Maori by the late Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira of the award-winning picture book Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll.
The IBBY Honour List comprises a biennial publication and travelling exhibition showcasing the outstanding books of more than 70 member countries.
The Travelling Restaurant (Gecko Press), is an exuberant seafaring fantasy, the first children’s novel by established author Barbara Else for more than ten years. Well-known as an adult novelist, literary agent and judge, she is also the editor of a highly successful series of children’s anthologies.
The Moon & Farmer McPhee (Random House) won both the Supreme and Picture Book awards at the 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book awards. The story of a farmer whose animals keep him awake at night was illustrated by David Elliot, an award-winning illustrator whose work has featured in a wide range of children’s books for both New Zealand and America. The text was written by Christchurch author Margaret Mahy, winner of the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Medal and numerous other international and New Zealand awards during her 40-year writing career.
Hu-Hu Koroheke (Scholastic), a moving story on age and loss, was the Supreme and Picture Book award-winner at the 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book awards. Its translation was one of the last books of the late Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira, internationally acclaimed for her lifelong work promoting te reo, as a translator, writer and educator.
The Honour Books, chosen by the Storylines Trust in its role as the New Zealand Section of IBBY, will feature at the IBBY World Congress being held in London in September 2012.
Find out more about Storylines' involvement with IBBY here.
Wellington couple wins children’s book award
The Wellington children’s booksellers, commentators and judges Ruth and John McIntyre have won the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award, given for outstanding long-term service to the genre of books for children and young adults.
The Storylines Children’s Literature Trust, honouring Auckland literary historian and writer Betty Gilderdale, makes the national award annually to teachers, writers, agents, translators and others who have actively promoted children’s literature for young people in New Zealand.
Ruth and John McIntyre have run The Children’s Bookshop, Wellington, a highly regarded specialist bookseller in Wellington, since 1992. Both have served in recent years as judges for the New Zealand Post Children’s book awards. John is also well-known as a children’s book reviewer on National Radio, and serves on the board of Booksellers New Zealand.
‘Ruth and John McIntyre’s contribution to children’s literature, especially in their support of children’s writers and illustrators, has been outstanding over a long period of time,’ says Dr Libby Limbrick, chair of the Storylines Trust.
‘They have done much to nurture the growth of children’s literature in New Zealand and also to ensure that children have access to the best of literature from elsewhere.’
Previous winners of the award have included Dorothy Butler, Elsie Locke, Graham Beattie, Ray Richards, Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira and Dr Glyn Strange.
The Betty Gilderdale Award will be presented at a function in Wellington on 21 November.
September 2011 enews.
This month it's all about the Storylines Festival.
Please note, this is not a formal report, just a gathering of thoughts from some who took part over the week. There's a collection of photos at the end. Check out the little girl with Feana Tu'akoi (Feana's the one in the pink mask) - it has been reported that she knitted her Magic Faraway Tree costume herself.
Inspiration at Auckland.
Paula Green forwarded us an email from a mother:
Travis came to your talk at Borders as part of the Storylines Festival last year and was keen to bring his brother, Evan, this year. They both really enjoyed the experience and have taken you up on your offer o send you a poem.
When travelling in the lift with you afterwards you mentioned you had never written a poem about a lift, so they both wanted to write you a poem about a lift....
I'd just like to thank you for taking part in the festival, the boys really came away buzzing with enthusiasm after your talk.
Evan (age 8) - he said it was based on your Elephant poem
Uppity and Downity
Lifts are cool
Like an Uppy-rooka-nooka
Lifts are cool
Like a Whirring-diddly-dee
Lifts are awesome
Like a Downy-chooka-chooka
Lifts are great for you and me
But I prefer stairs as you can run up and down them
All day and all night long
Travis (age 10)
Uplifting Ideas
I enjoyed the Storylines Day
But the highlight I have to say
Was being in an elevator
With a poem and writing creator
It may have only been short
But in that ride a lot was taught
Like how to get my flow
When I write about getting to go
In an amazing, rising machine
With the marvellous, wonderful Paula Green.
Northland Family Day
We had a fantastic day in Kerikeri with over 1000 attending. All the activities were spread throughout the Turner Centre and the place buzzed. The highlight for me was the fancy dress parade which wove through the building lead by Apirana Taylor blowing his conch shell and the musicians from A Trifle Bazaar spend among the children in costume. Watching Des Hunt wow the kids with his chemical experiments to explain the writing process was amazing. Apirana Taylor, Fleur Beale, Feana Tu’akoi and Mark Sommerset all delighted their audiences and the book activities, especially the mini quizzes, worked well. The mural that Terry Fitzgibbon set up for the kids to work on was a huge success and added to the wonderful atmosphere of the day.
~ Di Menefy.
A lovely sunny fun-filled day at The Turner Centre with happy and excited children. Meeting their favourite authors, listening to stories and being entertained with music and science tricks
The competition questions bubbled along all day and the crafts buzzed. There were two young and cuddly birds, a buzzy bee and Mrs Wishy-Washy and many other colourful characters roaming around all day. A wonderful book character procession followed Api Taylor who cleared the way through the crowds with the sound of his conch shell accompanied by the rhythmic sound of drummers through the speakers.
Di and her band of very busy helper had organised and happy and entertaining day.
~ Jill Stephenson.
Auckland workshops
A number of lucky children were whisked away on a magical adventure this Storylines Festival when they signed up for one of four workshops that were hosted at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Saturday 27 August.
Anna Mackenzie taught her group how to write stand-out short stories to make your toes tingle, while Jennifer Beck shared with her group of children how to write stories, helping them to find what style of writing suited them. Many budding cartoonists attended Ross Kinnaird’s amusing workshop, learning the tricks of drawing great cartoons. In the other room with Stu Duval, promising artists crafted stunning portraits using chalk and pastel.
At the end of the workshops, attendants had the chance to get their books signed and everyone left with a smile on their face. Once again, our New Zealand authors and illustrators have delivered a fantastic range of workshops for our children. Keep an eye out next Storylines Festival for your chance to sign up for a workshop.
~ Melanie McVeigh.
Pure Capital Thinking Factopia at Auckland Family Day.
Seeing though the eyes of an insect mask with Dee Pignéguy, learning about the K?kako with Maria Gill, an animal matching activity with Feana Tu’akoi, and discovering Maungkiekie with Malcolm Paterson were just some of the exciting activities that Pure Capital Thinking Factopia offered this year.
The Youthtown Art Team again provided its own team and resources for a colourful poster activity, and Lopdell House Galley was back again with the popular Kite making activity inspired by the works of Pat Hanly.
This year Factopia was in the Museum, so visitors were also able to visit the Weird and Wonderful nature discovery gallery next door, and could hear talks by the authors in the Museum’s education rooms.
At the Aotea Centre.
There was a steady flow of people all day. There was a slight bustle when a Tim Bray show was over or when Jellybean was about to begin. People who had come to hear Jellybean were thrilled to find there were more activities for their children to enjoy. The activity passports seemed to be a hit.
Found around the interwebs:
From Melinda Szymanik’s blog:
her perspective on being at Family Days.
Storylines Festival at Dunedin Public Libraries - very busy today. Public, authors / illustrators all having great fun. I'm rather exhausted. Paul Hayton, Dunedin.
Fab day yesterday - thanks to everyone involved! Adele Jackson, Wellington.
That was a blast...I saw nothing but happy children clutching their treasures created at the Wellington Storylines Family Day. That was incredible... Melinda Szymanik.
[W]hat a great day the Storylines Family Day was at the Aotea Centre today, thank you to all involved in the organisation, you are Superstars! Deborah Burnside.
I was talking to our Museum liaison at the end of the day and he seemed really happy with the way things had gone. He estimated they had had an extra 2,500 visitors through the door compared to a normal Sunday. Anne Dickson.
The Christchurch Festival was wonderful fun too! A great crowd of authors and illustrators strutting their stuff! It sounds like Kyle and Donovan's book launch was a hilariously funny comedy routine - a big hit with the kids. Maria Gill.
Auckland's Family Day was def MY family day... with my mum, sister, sister-in-law, and three nieces volunteering. My sorta brother & his Monkey visiting; and two nephews, their partners and children there, too! Gotta love it! Annie Coppell.
I had a great day on the Information Desk my first Storylines Festival in Wellington. Would love to see some of you at the Altrusa Wellington fund raiser for Storylines & Literacy Aotearoa in a couple of weeks time! Katrina Edgar.
Speaking of which – it’s tomorrow, Thursday night! Head along, if you can. Find out more on the Altrusa site.
uly 2011 enews.
Storylines Festival full-steam ahead!
Just over a month to go before the Storylines Festival kicks off and it’s all go. Vicki, Storylines Events Manager, has been working tirelessly making sure information is loaded onto the website as soon as possible… PDF versions of programmes, links to author profiles and more info are now available. Keep checking the site for updated information.
We need volunteers! If you want to spend a day – or part of a day – surrounded by happy children, book-lovers and joy – then come and be part of our merry bands on Family Day. Find out how you can get involved here.
Haere râ Dame Kâterina.
Dame Kâterina Te Heikoko Mataira, 2007 Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award recipient, was a leading light in the renaissance of te reo Mâori, helping to set up the first Kura Kaupapa Mâori at Hoana Waititi Marae in Auckland. Her translations into te reo garnered many awards, with her picture book, Cry Baby Moon earning a place on the 1994 White Ravens List.
Her leadership, passion and compassion will be much missed.
Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane. Haere râ Dame Kâterina.
Bookrapt annual children’s literature seminar.
Bookrapt invites you to their annual children's literature seminar at Tauranga Intermediate on Saturday 6 August.
Publishing with Passion. Three exciting guest speakers will give their unique perspective of children's books.
Author: Susan Brocker. Susan's book Dreams of Warriors (HarperCollins) is a finalist for the 2011 LIANZA Esther Glen Award. Plus her latest book The Wolf in the Wardrobe (HarperCollins) was released in June.
Editor: Kate Stone. Kate is the commissioning editor for HarperCollins New Zealand.
Author and literary agent: Barbara Else. Barbara's new children's book The Travelling Restaurant was released by Gecko Press in April this year.
$40 non-members $30 members (morning tea and lunch supplied)
Bookrapt have been busy so far this year. Check out their website for news and events.
Kids Lit Quiz report.
The Kids Lit Quiz international final results were:
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Manor Gardens from Durban.
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Summit Heights from Toronto.
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Cockermouth School from Cumbria the UK champions.
There will be more information in the next newsletter.
New Zealand at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair
New Zealand will be Guest of Honour at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, the biggest book and media trade fair in the world. The Guest of Honour country showcases its culture in a year-long programme throughout Germany, culminating in the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Find out more from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage website.
JK Rowling, FaBostory and the kids of Maungawhau.
Kids at Maungawhau school are so enthused about a New Zealand online writing project that they’ve invited JK Rowling to join. In 2010 a group of New Zealand children's writers had a conversation on Facebook about writing an online junior fiction book, one chapter following another and inviting New Zealand children to join in. FaBoStory was born and a wild and wacky ride it was. Each week a new chapter from one of the team went up online as well as a winning chapter submitted from New Zealand students.
This year the FaBo Story Team have changed the format and are being inundated by entries and enthusiasm! From Queenstown to Auckland, kids across New Zealand have been reading and entering the FaBostory project and think their kiwi writers are so good JK Rowling would be lucky to be involved.
This year’s format sets a new genre, setting and inhabitant of Planet Fabo each week. One of the eight professional New Zealand writers submits a story and judges entries from kids, picking a winner each week.
A teacher from one of FaBostory’s participating schools enthuses: “Oh my goodness Maungawhau School is FaBo obsessed! All the senior classes and most of the middle school are doing it for writing now and hopefully they will all enter. My breaktime FaBo group has stopped because they are all doing it in class. ... I have never seen the staff so excited about writing! ...One of our teachers told me that her son could never write more than a page for writing and it is a real struggle. And last night he told her he had started a mystery about Sher Lock [a FABOstory character] and he was going to finish it by the end of the week. His teacher said he has already written 3 pages which is unheard of.”
To enter check weekly details on fabostory. This year’s authors include Kyle Mewburn, Brian Falkner, Elena de Roo, Melinda Szymanik, Maureen Crisp, Tania Hutley, Kathy White and Michele Powles.
Stories should be up to 1000 words long and submitted by Friday 5pm in the body of an email with name, age and school.
Work can be submitted as part of a school project or as an individual.
The best student's story is published on the FaBo Story Blog each week alongside a story from one of the FaBo Team writing to the same challenge.
There are prizes and geographical features on Planet FaBo2 named after the winning writers.
~ from press release.
Walker Books Australia acquires Black Dog Books.
From 1 July, the book imprint Black Dog Books is owned and distributed by Walker Books Australia. Find our more from the Walker Books Australia website.
Bath Kids Lit Fest Launch!
The Bath Festival of Children’s Literature runs from 23 September to 2 October, with acclaimed children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers. Find out more from their website.
June 2011 enews.
Hope you're coping with the changing seasons, and staying warm and snuggly. Perfect weather for curling up with a good book!
~ Annie.
Storylines Festival update.
Planning is well underway for this year’s Storylines Festival. Check our Storylines Festival webpages for updates.
Find out how to be a
volunteer for the Festival. The more the merrier!
Congratulations to the New Zealand Children’s Book Awards winners.
Storylines patron, Margaret Mahy, won The New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year Award, with illustrator David Elliot, for their picture book The Moon and Farmer McPhee, which also won the Picture Book category.
Anna Gowan won Best First Book for Hollie Chips, the published book which came from her Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award winning manuscript.
From the Judges’ Report:
A feisty hero, a wicked villain, a fast-paced plot, an assortment of eccentric characters and an abundance of humour. What more could you want from a story?
Our choice for Best First Book is fresh and original. You warm instantly to the characters, you cheer for the underdog taking on the bully and are charmed by the light, assured tone of the writing.
An absolute gem from start to finish, and sporting a most appealing cover, the Best First Book Award goes to Hollie Chips by Anna Gowan, published by Scholastic New Zealand.
Congratulations to all the winners! The complete list is available on the Booksellers NZ website.
Remember, a full list of award winners will be available in the Inside Story, the Storylines year book.
Kids Lit Quiz International Final and celebratory dinner.
The Waikato Children’s Literature Association invites you to the 20th Anniversary Kids Lit Quiz™ International Final being held on Tuesday 19 July, 2.00pm at Southwell School Auditorium, 200 Peachgrove Road, Hamilton. (Tickets are not required for entry but a koha would be appreciated.)
The Gala Dinner will follow at 6.30pm in the Southwell Flat Floor Theatre and will feature authors Brian Falkner, David Hill, Tessa Duder and Jenny Hessell. Other New Zealand children’s authors will also be seen on the big screen and many books will be given away during the evening.
Tickets for the dinner are $70 for adults and $35 for children 14 and under. Places are limited so be in quick. For more information and to order Gala Dinner tickets email Gerri Judkins.
Six teams will compete in the international final. They are from England, the UK champions, NZ, Southwell School (as hosts), Canada and South Africa. (The UK champion team from Cockermouth won the UK Final. The second placed team was invited also to compete and hence Bristol Grammar will represent England).
If ever you wanted to see kids who live to read and enjoy a literary challenge then please feel invited to attend International Final.
April 2011 enews.
Well, it's been a busy month!
It was wonderful seeing so many of the far-flung Storylines family at the annual Storylines Margaret Mahy Day this Saturday. Read a
brief report here>
Congratulations to our award winners, who were celebrated on the day:
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Kate De Goldi, who kept us all enthralled during her Storylines Margaret Mahy Award acceptance speech. I, for one, can't wait to revisit it in the 2011 Inside Story, due for publication March 2012. PS Storylines members, your copy of the 2010 Inside Story will be sent to you shortly.
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Tangaroa's Gift, the 2011 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award winner, whose creator, Mere Whaanga, shared tales from its making.
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Brand-new, soon-to-be-published authors Kathy Taylor (Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2011) and Hugh Brown (Storylines Tessa Duder Award 2011).
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Sarah Johnson, whose first picture book will be published next year, as the Storylines Joy Cowley Award winner for 2011.
Speaking of awards. Illustrators - get ready! Details for the
Storylines Gavin Bishop Award are now available. Note, the closing date for this award is 30 November 2011.
What else? Well, Storylines is pleased to work with Penguin again this year, with the Puffin short story competition for children. Find out
more details here>
International news? Congratulations to Shaun Tan, past Storylines Festival winner, who is the 2011
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner.
And, just a little thing - Storylines, as the IBBY New Zealand Section, has had our bid to host the 2016
IBBY Congress accepted. Our eyes and ears at the Bologna Book Fair let us know - and let all around her know how pleased she was. Thank you
Frances!
Sadly, many children's literature creators have passed away over the last few months. For many of us, it is like our childhood really has gone. As a librarian, I have seen a few customers in their late-20s / early-30s come in to revisit the joys these authors have left behind. These include:
Storylines sponsored spot
Tim Bray Productions, which is featured at the Auckland Family Day as part of the
Storylines Festival later this year, presents The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch at The PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna from 11-30 April – a week before the school holidays and right through the holidays for school or early childhood groups to attend or for parents, grandparents or caregivers to take 3-10 year olds as school holiday treat. Bookings at
The PumpHouse or phone The PumpHouse ticket office: 09 489 8360.
If you would like to feature in an upcoming sponsored spot, please contact
Christine Young, the Storylines Executive Officer for details.
Storylines thanks
Zeald for their ongoing support of our website, membership database and email newsletters.
March 2011 enews.
Storylines awards’ shortlists announced
Come along to the Storylines Margaret Mahy Day to find out the winners.
Shortlist for 2011 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award
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Sian Burling-Claridge, Wellington
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Vanessa Hatley-Owen, Auckland
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Juliet Jacka, Wellington
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Ragne Maxwel,l Paekakariki
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Kathy Taylor, Wellington
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Jean White, Auckland
Shortlist for 2011 Joy Cowley Award
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Renee Boyer-Willisson, Raglan
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Katherine Clark, Tauranga
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Marion Day, Picton
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Katie Furze, Auckland
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Jennifer Hill, Christchurch
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Sarah Johnson, Raglan
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Melanie Koster, Christchurch
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Juliette MacIver, Wellington
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Sabrina Malcolm, Wellington
Shortliist for 2011 Tessa Duder Award
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Hugh Brown, Paekakariki
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Matthew Cowens, Paraparaumu
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Shirley Eng, Christchurch
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Andrea Jutson, Auckland
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Desmond O’Leary, Auckland
Storylines Festival update: Auckland and Northland Story Tour
Online applications are now open for schools to submit their application for inclusion in the 2011 Story Tour.
The Auckland Story Tour is scheduled to take place from Monday 22 till Friday 26 August 2011 and the Northland Story Tour will take place on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 August.
Applications close on 1 June 2011, and schools will be notified shortly after.
To find out more about the Story Tours and to apply, click here.
Other news
New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards 2011 finalists announced
Find out who is in the running on the Booksellers NZ site.
Shaun Tan wins an Oscar!
Shaun Tan, previous Storylines Festival visitor, won the Animated Short Film category at this week’s Academy Awards for his work on The Lost Thing, a 15-minute film based on his picture book of the same name, published in 2000. Tan worked as director, writer, designer and artist on the film, along with Andrew Ruhemann.
A message to our Christchurch members, Te Tai Tamariki members and all booklovers
We send our thoughts and love at this time to the people of Christchurch and Canterbury. If there is anything we can to support the children’s literature community as you recover from the devastation of the past week, please contact us. If you have any suggestions as to how we can help, please contact us. Collection buckets will be available at the Storylines Margaret Mahy Day.
A message from Mary Sangster from The Children’s Bookshop, Christchurch
The Children's Bookshop was severely damaged in the quake and that, plus the cordon, means that we will not be operating from Victoria St in the near future. All the staff got out okay, the only injury being myself - the filing cabinet that I chose to dance with kicked me in the shins. Nothing broken, but I'm on crutches and sporting beautiful bruises. We are all a bit shaken and jumpy of course, but everyone is in good spirits.
We are still operating online and can process orders out of the Auckland shop at no extra freight charges, so if you want birthday presents, just give us a little more notice than usual and we will do our best. We do have most of The New Zealand Post Children's finalists available and on to the frontpage of the website, but for those that you can’t find, just ‘buy’ a CBS gift voucher and put a note in the comments with the titles that you actually want and I will get that sorted. Same applies to any other titles that do not appear on the website. Any queries at all, please email us. We are trying to keep business going as much as possible. Anyone needing insurance quotes, drop us a line and we will get on to it for you.
Schools can email orders and we will process them from the Auckland shop at your normal discount and freight terms. Existing orders will be delayed I'm afraid - any that are urgent, please remind us of the order and we will chase it for you. We have absolutely no records available at the moment, so you will have to provide the details of the order again. Once again, any schools needing insurance quotes, we can help.
We really appreciate everyone's support and as you may guess, at the moment we really need your custom.
Mary Sangster
Office Manager
The Children's Bookshop Ltd
Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book
The Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book has been awarded for 2011 to Tangaroa’s Gift: Te Koha a Tangaroa, a picture book written by Mere Whaanga and first published by Ashton Scholastic in 1990.
The award is given annually for a children’s or young adult book which did not win a New Zealand award at the time of publication but has been in print for more than five years and proved itself a favourite with New Zealand children.
‘At first publication, Tangaroa’s Gift: Te Koha a Tangaroa was a finalist for the AIM Children’s Book Awards, the Esther Glen Award for writing and, unusually, also for the Russell Clark Award for illustration,’ says Storylines Trust chair Dr Libby Limbrick.
‘It is wonderful that this fine and enduring book by an accomplished writer and illustrator, which has sold nearly 35,000 copies, should now be honoured with this award.’
Mere Whaanga, of Ngati Rongomaiwahine and Ngati Kahungunu descent, currently lives at Mahia Beach, Hawkes Bay. She has written several bilingual books for children, including The Legend of the Seven Whales of Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti: Nga Tahora Tokowhitu a Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti (1990); Te Kooti's Diamond: Te Taimana a Te Kooti (Ashton Scholastic 1991), and a children’s book on the Treaty of Waitangi, The Treaty: Te Tiriti (Scholastic 2003).
Her literary awards include the Choysa Bursary for Children’s Writers (1988), the Te Ha Award for Maori Writers (1991), and the Te Waka Toi New Work Grant (2002).
Storylines Margaret Mahy Day
Have you registered yet? It’s not too late to come and join us at the 2011 Storylines Margaret Mahy Day on 2 April at Kings School in Remuera.
December enews
Thank you for your support over 2010. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We'll be in touch in February.
Tessa Duder, a stalwart Storylines supporter for many years, recently turned 70. Storylines celebrated their patron / friend / colleague / consultant / award-winner (etc, etc) with suitable accompaniments. First up – Tessa’s cake. What could be better than a beautifully rendered, edible, version of the cover of Night Race to Kawau, Tessa’s Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award-winning novel.Next – a stunning Bruce Potter original – artwork from Out of the Deep: Stories from the Pacific, the Storylines anthology Tessa co-edited with Lorraine Orman.
Fun, frivolity and food. That’s the best way to celebrate someone we love.
Thank you Tessa, for all that you do on our behalf.
Annie Coppell (on behalf of the Storylines family).
Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award presentation
The 2010 Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award was presented to Glyn Strange of the Christchurch School for Young Writers at a function at Kohia School hall on 10 November. Betty was there to present the award and Glyn gave an interesting speech about his work with teenage writers which you will be able to read in the 2011 Storylines year book, The Inside Story.
Storylines Festival update
As the year slowly comes to an end and Santa’s arrival is just around the corner, many of you will be thinking of family and friends. As part of the Storylines family, I would like to say thank you all for your contribution to the annual Storylines Festival of New Zealand Writers and Illustrators. 2011 will mark the 18th year of the Festival which started all those many, many years ago at the Auckland Museum. Without your contribution, whether big or small, the Festival would not be the success that it is today without you.
Plans are well and truly underway for the 2011 Storylines Festival of New Zealand Writers and Illustrators with an additional Family Day planned for Dunedin next year. This will be held at the Dunedin Public Library on Saturday 20 August and is a great addition to the Family Days already being held in other centers already. Many thanks to the Dunedin community for your overwhelming support of this event and of course for your emails with ideas and suggestions.
Other important dates for your diary in 2011 are:
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Dunedin Family Day, Saturday 20 August.
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Christchurch Family Day, Sunday 21 August.
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Wellington Family Day, Sunday 21 August.
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Auckland Story Tour, Monday 22 – Friday 26 August.
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Northland Story Tour, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 August.
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Auckland Workshops, Saturday 27 August (tbc).
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Northland Family Day, Kerikeri, Saturday 27 August.
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Auckland Family Day, Sunday 28 August.
We are currently forming committees in each of these regions to support the regional Coordinator, so if you have some great ideas and want to become more involved in the Storylines Family Day in your centre, simply email me your details and I pass these on to the coordinator. Many of the committees will be meeting early next year on a monthly basis, where tasks will be set, an action plan put into place and ideas discussed. Committee members are an integral ‘cog’ in the Festival wheel and we value your input.
Is your time flexible? Are you able to meet deadlines? Do you have computer and people skills and a strong interest in NZ children’s literature? Do you prefer each day to be different from the last?
Then we could have the role you are looking for.
We currently have a vacancy for a regional coordinator in Christchurch. The role is varied and time flexibility is key. As the regional coordinator you will be responsible for the Christchurch Family Day, with the support of a local committee, the Festival Committee and the Events Manager. Interested? Sounds like you? Email me for more details and a copy of the job description.
Don’t forget to watch the Festival page – this will be updated regularly as details are confirmed and finalised.
A Merry Christmas to you all.
Vicki Cunningham
Storylines Events Manager
Storylines news in brief
Thanks to everyone for their support and involvement in 2010 and we invite anyone else to join the team in 2011. We have many roles you could help with. If you are interested, please email Vicki.
Storylines has submitted an expression of interest to host the IBBY World Congress In New Zealand in 2016 – an exciting opportunity for New Zealand children’s literature and everyone in the children’s literature community here. We’ll keep you advised, but we’re not expecting a decision till the second quarter of next year.
Storylines is applying to NZ Book month for funding to support a series of author chats – we have so far had a number of venues and people enquiring.
We believe it is important the New Zealand children’s literature is featured as part of the celebration s of books and reading.
We are starting to seek funding and sponsorship support for the 2011 Storylines Festival. We have been granted funds by creative New Zealand – so we express our grateful thanks to Creative New Zealand. But we still need over $100,000 to hold events in Auckland, Kerikeri, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin – the latter for the first time. We’d welcome any suggestions of potential sponsors or funders – and if anyone can help directly even better! If you do have contacts, please email me with details.
Christine Young
Storylines Executive Officer
Members only
Are you interested in reviewing for the booklist? Find out how in this members’ only page.
Getting access to the members’ only content is easy: Log on to our website using your existing membership number, and your password.
~ Annie.
Need to contact us?
We welcome your feedback – on the newsletter, events, the website, Storylines in general… so – feel free to fill out our contact form and let us know what’s on your mind.
October enews
Reminder: entries for the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon, Joy Cowley and Tessa Duder awards must be with us by the end of the month!
Writing from the Heart
This month sees the launch of an amazing book – one people have been wanting for years!
Here, in warmly written prose, Joy Cowley distils her four decades at the top of the children’s writing pyramid for the benefit of anyone engaging in writing for young people. Topics covered in the short chapters – each illustrated by Fraser Williamson – are developing a plot, dialogue, writers’ discipline, humour, early reading, novels, picture books, plays, poetry, presentation, and editing.
From Joy: This is not a book of instruction but rather a sharing of long experience as a writer, editor and a facilitator of writing workshops.
As you all know, Joy Cowley is an internationally recognised author of fiction for children (as well as adults). She has published more than 600 early readers along with numerous novels and short stories. In 2005 she was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children’s literature. Joy is one of Storylines patrons, and is also a Storylines Trustee.
All proceeds from the work will go to assist Storylines in its work to promote children's books and literature, reading and books and children.
Orders can be placed with Publishers Distribution Limited (for bulk purchases and/or trade discount), through Storylines (for individual purchases) and marketing is through Oratia Media. The title is also listed with Nielsen Book Data. The book should also be available in bookshops.
Penguin have organised events to celebrate the launch of Navigation, Joy's memoir. Joy will also be talking about Writing from the Heart at these events.
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Thursday 7 October, 6pm for 6.30pm. Book launch at The Women’s Bookshop
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Friday 8 October, 12noon. Takapuna Library Bookseller Booklover Takapuna.
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Wednesday 13 October, 6-7pm. Café L’affare. 27 College Street, Wellington. Bookseller: Vic Books. This event is to celebrate the launch of Navigation, Joy’s memoir.
The Big Kids Lit Quiz is back!
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What? The Big Kids Lit Quiz (It’s for adults. 16+)
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Where? Takapuna Library
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When? Wednesday 13 October, 7.15 pm
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Who? Wayne Mills, Quizmaster of the Kids Lit Quiz will give you a chance to see if you know as much as the kids.
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How? Form your own team of 4-6 or join a team on the night
$5.00 for Storylines members, $10 non-members.
Register by email or phone 486 8649 (Helen Beckingsale, East Coast Bays Library) or register on the night.
The Nature of New Zealand: The Waikato Children’s Literature Association Inc. 2010 Seminar
Programme
9.30 Registration & Refreshments
10.00 Des Hunt
11.15 Vivienne Lingard
12.15 Lunch
1.15 Maria Gill
2.15 Maria and Vivienne talk about collaboration
Please register by 25 October enclosing a cheque made out to The Waikato Children’s Literature Association or send your registration by mail or email and pay online into account number 03 1561 0026176 00 including your name and the word seminar.
Send registrations to: CLA Seminar, Helen Le Heron, 884 Horrell Rd, RD4 Morrinsville.
BLAST news
BLAST! Pat Hanly, the Painter and his Protests by Trish Gribben, one of Storylines’ Notable Books for 2009, is to be sent to every primary and intermediate school library throughout the country. A grant from The Peace and Disarmament Education Trust (PADET), set up after the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior with compensation money from France, is making it possible for the publishers, Lopdell House Gallery, to distribute the 1100 books. BLAST! is written for children aged from eight to 12 years and focuses on Pat Hanly’s anti-nuclear paintings. It also includes photographs by Gil Hanly. Trish Gribben said she wrote it as a way of telling a new generation something of New Zealand’s anti-nuclear struggle while keeping Pat Hanly’s work alive.
New prices for Storylines
Due to the increase in GST, some of Storylines’ ticket and competition entry fees will be increased from 1 November (ie no changes this year!).
But, note!, there is no increase in membership fees. Yay!
Entry fees for the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon, Joy Cowley, Gavin Bishop and Tessa Duder awards will be $18 (Storylines members) or $36 (non-members) from 1 November 2010. Yes, we know this is a month after GST changes, but this means there will be no inequities in the fees for this year’s entrants – some of whom have already submitted their manuscripts.
The 2011 Margaret Mahy Day ticket prices will also be slightly higher than previously. Members will pay $20, and non-members $35.
Because we really want to foster our future authors and illustrators, tickets to the children’s workshops (as part of the Storylines Festival in Auckland) will be unaffected, too.
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We’ve been waiting all year for it – the super-duper, Books for Christmas Giving list. As always, the booklists are members’ only access.
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Getting access to the members’ only content is easy: Log on to our website using your existing membership number, and your password.
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If you wish to become a member, join here. If you have trouble logging on, contact our Membership Secretary to check your membership is up-to-date.
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Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award announcement and event details.
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IBBY reports – biennial reports from IBBY national sections have been pouring in. These will all be available on the site from the beginning of November – with more info in the newsletter.
~Annie.
Members only
Are you interested in reviewing for the booklist? Find out how in this members’ only page.
Getting access to the members’ only content is easy: Log on to our website using your existing membership number, and your password.
Storylines members – how do you keep up-to-date with the world of children’s literature? Apart from being a member of Storylines, of course!
The invitation is out there! Send us your favourite websites, blogs, journals… anything you use to navigate the information world. And, I will be checking you are on our membership database.
I’ll make a start with some of my favourites:
~ Annie.
August enews: Storylines Festival 15 - 22 August 2010
The chance to meet your favourite authors and illustrators, the opportunity to hear books read aloud, writing and illustration competitions, along with book talks, artists at work and book signing sessions, is now less than a week away!!
The Storylines Festival begins in Wellington this Sunday 15 August at The Wellington Town Hall & Capital E, and similtaneously in Christchurch on the same day, at the Christchurch Town Hall. We hope that you have these days in your diary and we look forward to seeing you there.
If you are heading to Whangarei or Auckland for the weekend, or are in town already, don't forget the Whangarei Family Day on Saturday 21 August, closely followed by the Auckland Family Day on Sunday 22 August. It's going to be a long week for many of our volunteers and committee members, but a very enjoyable one. To all the volunteers, coordinators and everyone who has contributed to the Festival so far - a very big thank you.
Want to help but don't know who to contact? There is still time to register as a volunteer, so email our volunteers' co-ordinator and come along for a fun-filled day. If you are a keen photographer and can assist us with capturing the day, please email us and we can give you more details about what’s involved. The Family Days wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers, so if you are a first-timer or are keen to offer us some assistance whether for the entire day, or for a couple of hours, email us and register today.
Workshops Saturday 21 August, Auckland
Places are quickly filling so don’t forget to book your ticket for your local workshop. This is an opportunity for some expert advice and guidance from some of New Zealand’s well known authors and illustrators. Tickets are only $15 and include all materials. More details about the workshops and ticket bookings are available here.
Story Tour, Starts Monday 16 August
The Story Tour will be commencing its visit of over 50 schools and early childhood centres in the Auckland region, starting with a visit in Auckland Central on Monday 16 August, North Shore on Tuesday 17 August, Manukau on Wednesday 18 August, Waitakere on Thursday 19 August, Rodney and Franklin / Papakura on Friday 20 August. Look out for the Storylines van at a school near you. On board will be Melanie Drewery, Tracy Duncan, Craig Smith, James Norcliffe, Trish Gribben, Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, and Tessa Duder. On Friday, a second van will have Dylan Horrocks, Gavin Bishop, Tania Roxborogh, Sally Sutton, John Parker and Bruce Potter navigating their way through the Auckland traffic.
The Northland Story Tour this year will be visiting schools in Dargaville on Thursday 19 August and Whangarei on Friday 20 August. Guests speakers include Janine McVeagh, Tim Tipene, Diana Menefy and Donovan Bixley.
If you miss them on the Story Tour, many will be appearing at the Family Days.
Programmes and more information now available online
Forgot to get your copy of the programme? These are now available online.
Details are being updated daily, so don’t forget to bookmark the Festival page and be one of the first to receive updated details about the Family Day's.
Puffin Short Story Awards
Puffin is celebrating its 70th year, and all of the entries are in. This year over 500 entries were received and thanks to all who entered. The quality of the entries has been superb, which has made the judging a very difficult process. To see if you are a finalist and for more details, go to the Puffin website for a listing of the finalist’s in each category.
The Prizegiving will be held at 1.00pm at the Auckland Family Day, Level Two, Owens Foyer alongside the Puffin’s 70th anniversary exhibition of book covers. We hope to see you there.
The House That Jack Built Exhibition
If you are on the North Shore, Takapuna Library plays host to The House That Jack Built exhibition of original works from the book by children’s writer/illustrator Gavin Bishop.
The exhibition of is now on display at the Takapuna Library, The Strand, Takapuna. Gavin will be making a guest appearance on Saturday 21 August from 10am.
We'll see you all at the Family Day and don't forget to encourage the kids to come dressed as their favourite book character - one of our Storylines spies may just give them a prize.
July 2010 enews: Quick updates
Storylines Festival update.
It's full-steam ahead for the Storylines Festival, which is shaping up to offer an exciting range of activities.
Know any children/teens who are into writing and/or illustrating? Book them into a workshop in the greater Auckland region. Tickets are selling fast.
Family Day volunteers are still needed in Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Our family days rely heavily on volunteer support and we’d love your support. Find out how you could help here.
Award deadlines
Nominations for the Storylines Margaret Mahy and Betty Gilderdale awards close at the end of August. Nominate someone in your community who deserves recognition for their work in the area of children’s literature. And if you've previously nominated someone, please consider re-submitting.
Entries close for the Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon, Joy Cowley and new Tessa Duder awards at the end of October.
In the next What's the story?
Our booklist will be Books in Translation. Make sure you can log-on to the members' only section of the website for access to these great resources.
Web feature:
Need some resources for book week at school? Or entertaining the kids' during the holidays? Have a look through the kids & teachers section of the site. We'd love to hear what you think!
June 2010: Big news this month! A new award and a Storylines Festival update.
Storylines Trust and HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand are proud to announce an exciting new annual award on the children’s literary scene — the Storylines Tessa Duder Award for unpublished writers of fiction for young adults, named in honour of one of New Zealand’s best writers for young adults.
Unpublished writers looking for an opportunity to emulate the outstanding writing careers of Kiwi authors such as William Taylor, Kate De Goldi, Bernard Beckett or Tessa Duder herself will be excited by this new initiative.
The award has been set up in recognition of Tessa’s outstanding contribution to children’s literature, both in terms of publishing output and her tireless work in the area of children’s literacy, particularly as one of the founding members of the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust. For more information visit the Storylines Tessa Duder Award page.
Storylines Festival
Plans are well and truly underway for this year’s Festival 15-22 August, with new details being confirmed every day. Bookmark the Festival page and stay up to date with what’s planned for this year’s Festival. Want to know who is appearing at your local Family Day?
Children’s Writing and Illustration Workshops
Auckland, Saturday 21 August
Do you know of any children who are interested in writing and/ or illustration? As part of the Festival we are be running writing and illustrations workshops for children aged 8-14 years in different regions of Auckland. Have a look at the workshops being held near you. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. Click here for more details>
Volunteers
Want to be close to the action? Become a Storylines Festival volunteer. It’s a lot of hard work and can be tiring, but it is also a lot of fun. We are looking for people to help nationwide and there are all sorts of areas that we need help with. Click here for more details>
Story Tour
The Story Tour this year will visit schools and early childhood centres in Auckland between 16 and 20 August, and 19 and 20 August in Northland. This year, schools which have not been visited in the recent past, are invited to apply to be a host school for the Story Tour. Read more here>
Attention authors and illustrators
We are currently updating our website. You may have noticed that your profile is not currently on the new site. We apologise for this and we are working to update all profiles.
Please check our profiles section for your information. Please send us any updates. You can email them to the publications team.
