Congratulations to 2019 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon winner:

The Christmas Caravan, written by Jennifer Beck and illustrated by Robyn Belton was named the 2019 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award winner, the 20th much-loved book to be honoured by this award in memory of author Gaelyn Gordon. Jennifer and Robyn were both present to receive the award from Tessa Duder, and delighted that this heart-warming story had received this recognition. Robyn had brought to Auckland with her some of the original artwork for the book, which was on display.   Robyn Belton and Jennier Beck (each with flowers) with (l to r) Tessa Duder, Penny Scown (Scholastic NZ) Christine Young (Storylines Trust chair) and Lynette Evans (Scholastic NZ)

The model of the 1950s caravan which Robyn used as her muse when drawing the illustrations for The Christmas Caravan was complemented by a display of her original drawings for the book .

 

Background

The Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award was established in 1999 to honour the memory and contribution to children’s literature of the late Gaelyn Gordon.

The Storylines  Gaelyn Gordon Award continues to be funded from a grant provided by David Ling Publishing, HarperCollins and Scholastic after Gaelyn's death in 1997.

Acclaimed as a gifted teacher of English and drama, Gaelyn published her first children’s book, Tales from Another Now, in 1989. She went on to produce numerous books for children of all ages, books that often combined myth, fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary issues. Her picture book Duckat (1991) is a favourite with New Zealand children. Gaelyn was a versatile writer and performer. She wrote several books for adults, and was a member of the literary performing group Metaphor. Her early death from cancer in 1997 was a great loss to New Zealand children’s literature.
The award is made annually for a work of fiction seen by Storylines as one which has stood the test of time and which is generally recognised as a successful, enduring children’s book. It is for a book by a living author; it must be still in print and have been in print for at least five years. Or, if the book has been reissued after a period of time out of print, then available for at least two years. The book must not have won a major New Zealand award but it may have been shortlisted, and it may have won an award overseas. A panel appointed by Storylines selects the award recipient.
Storylines thanks Gaelyn’s publishers HarperCollins, Scholastic and David Ling Publishing for their generous help in setting up this award.

---

 

Previous winners
2018 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award winner Joy Cowley and Tracey Moroney's Nicketty-Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo, first published by Scholastic in 1995, was announced as the winner of the 2018 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book. Like other Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award winners,  Nicketty-Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo has never won a major award, but testament to its enduring popularity and appeal is the fact that it remains in print 23 years after its first publication. In announcing the winner, Tessa Duder noted that that the title reflected the special part of Joy's life with her grandmother as Nicketty-Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo was one of her grandmother's sayings.
2017 winner The 2017 Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book, funded by David Ling Publishing, HarperCollins and Scholastic, was Pamela Allen, for Mr McGee, published by Penguin Random House NZ in 1987. Mr McGee is the first of several picture books about Mr McGee (who lives under a tree). Pre-schoolers love the simple rhyming language, the fun of his misadventures and Pamela Allen’s distinctive illustrations. Read more about Pamela’ Allen here.

 

Full list of recipients of the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award:

• 1999: The Runaway Settlers by Elsie Locke.
• 2000: Grandpa’s Slippers by Joy Watson and Wendy Hodder.
• 2001: Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen.
• 2002: See Ya, Simon by David Hill.
• 2003: The Little Yellow Digger by Betty and Alan Gilderdale.
• 2004: Under the Mountain by Maurice Gee.
• 2005: Night Race to Kawau by Tessa Duder.
• 2006: The Nickle Nackle Tree by Lynley Dodd.
• 2007: Slide the Corner by Fleur Beale.
• 2008: My Brown Bear Barney by Dorothy Butler and Elizabeth Fuller.
• 2009: I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale.
• 2010: The Wednesday Wizard by Sherryl Jordan.
• 2011: Tangaroa's Gift by Mere Whaanga-Schollum.
• 2012: Uncle Trev by Jack Lasenby.
• 2013: How Maui Slowed the Sun by Peter Gossage
• 2014: Grandma McGarvey by Jenny Hessell and Trevor Pye
• 2015: Little Kiwi is Scared of the Dark by Bob Darroch
• 2016: Cry of the Taniwha by Des Hunt
• 2017: Mr McGee by Pamela Allen
• 2018: Nicketty Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo, by Joy Cowley and Tracey Moroney