#NZCYA Book Awards 2020 - Selina Tusitala Marsh wins Book of the Year at children’s awards
Selina Tusitala Marsh’s first book for children has been judged the supreme winner at the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Mophead was awarded the highest prize in children’s publishing – The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year – during a virtual presentation on August 12 to celebrate this year’s awards.
Attendees at LIANZA19 Conference last October will be thrilled that our popular keynote speaker and former New Zealand Poet Laureate has been recognised. Stacks of LIANZA members fell in love with Mophead and have been rooting for it to win the award. The judges said Mophead is ‘clever, joyful and inspiring, with not a smidgen of pretension or condescension.’ They went as far as calling the book ‘perfect’ – describing it as a taonga that should be placed in the hands of every child in Aotearoa, especially young Pasifika children who might not yet know their own creative power. ‘We love this book’s design and production. We love that it’s part picture book, part graphic novel, part memoir, part poem – its form is exactly what it wants and needs to be, which is the message of the book too,’ says convenor of judges Jane Arthur. |
I burst into tears when they told me!
Mophead recounts Marsh’s journey from self-conscious child unsure of her place in the world to being New Zealand’s Poet Laureate rubbing shoulders with world leaders and literary luminaries, and delivers a powerful message that your difference is what makes a difference.
Selina spoke to Library life magazine about her reaction to the award, her favourite library memory and her next book.
Selina spoke to Library life magazine about her reaction to the award, her favourite library memory and her next book.
‘I burst into tears when I found out because I was so overcome with feelings’, says Margaret Mahy Book of the Year winner Selina Tusitala Marsh. Mophead was such a risk – to devote so much time and energy into a book when I didn’t know if it would resonate with people. My ‘Capital P’ proper job at the university has big demands but I wanted to get my work out to a broader audience. Without Mophead, I was becoming disconnected from my 11-year-old self but I needed to justify working on Mophead to myself and my university colleagues. I have been getting a constant stream of fan mail since it was published, which has validated the time I spent on it, and that would have been enough without the award, but this is something else – so heart-warming! |
Selina asked LIANZA to pass on to the library community how much she truly appreciates all the support she has received from them since Mophead was published. When asked what we can expect from her next, Selina says, ‘About a year ago I rolled over in bed and the story was in my head.’ Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem is the follow up to Mophead and is due out in October 2020 from Auckland University Press. Mophead is about how your difference makes a difference while Mophead Tu is about how where you stand makes a difference. Tu is the Samoan word for ‘stand’.
Seven other significant awards were also announced during the presentation, held online due to lingering concerns about COVID-19 at the time of planning. The virtual format meant a bigger audience than usual heard from all the night’s winners and judges, as well as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, other dignitaries, and some avid young readers.
As well as taking out the supreme prize, Mophead was also awarded the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction. The judges faced an abundance of strong contenders in this category and said there has never been a more exciting time to be a young reader on the hunt for facts or true stories.
As well as taking out the supreme prize, Mophead was also awarded the Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction. The judges faced an abundance of strong contenders in this category and said there has never been a more exciting time to be a young reader on the hunt for facts or true stories.
A beautiful story about a curious child who goes on an adventure with her father to discover the origins of the universe was judged the Picture Book Award winner. Abigail and the Birth of the Sun, written by Matthew Cunningham and illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, perfectly wove science and magic and the judges loved the tender way in which Abigail’s father cradled her curiosity, creating a beautiful narrative answer to her big question.
You can watch Matthew reading his book in a LIANZA Virtual Storytime here and his Books Alive event here. |
A confident debut from an exciting new talent won the Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction. Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan, set in the crowded slums of Singapore’s Chinatown during World War Two, stood out for its gripping storyline and historical detail.
You can watch Weng Wai’s fun Books Alive event here. |
Director of the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University, Damien Wilkins, is known as a writer for adults, but the judges found his work lost none of its potency when aimed at teens, awarding Aspiring the Young Adult Fiction Award. They said Aspiring demonstrated a stunning insight into the teenage mind, both in its exploration of character and its respect for the intelligence of its audience.
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A pared-back and powerful book claimed the Russell Clark Award for Illustration. The judges described Mat Tait’s illustrations for The Adventures of Tupaia as having an urgent fire in their belly and praised their ability to reach the reader on an intellectual, gut and aesthetic level.
Watch the Books Alive event with The Adventures of Tupaia author Courtney Sina Meredith here. |
Damien told the LIANZA Office that he was genuinely completely shocked at the news. When asked if he had set out to write a young adult novel, because his usual genre is adult fiction, Damien said
‘When I started I didn’t know. I just started writing about a 15-year-old boy but I knew after I stuck with him through a few chapters that it was going to be a young adult book. Kate De Goldi had prompted me to write the short story in The Annual called The Glove and I thought, actually I could marry the two threads together – give this boy a backstory. I always thought – that’s my ending for the novel. It was comforting to have as a destination. The rest was me riffing on being a 15-year-old kid. It was fun to write!’ |
The Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te Reo Māori was awarded to Tio Tiamu, a book about a giant with a kind heart and a genuine love for his hapū who overcomes many challenges and deliberate acts of nastiness. The panel of judges convened by Te Rōpū Whakahau said this ageless and weighty story dealt with universal themes, but at the same time was steeped in whakaaro Māori. You can read more about their judging process below.
Watch the Books Alive event with The Adventures of Tupaia author Courtney Sina Meredith here. |
The finalists for the Best First Book Award belied their debut status by producing vibrant, slick and thoroughly enjoyable books, said the judges, but it was the genre-bending #Tumeke! by Michael Petherick that most captured them. Ages and cultures merge to tell a sweet and funny tale, with the creative multimedia format that uses poetry, lyrics, emails, emojis, illustrations and engaging storylines rewarding the eyes and challenging the brain.
You can watch Michael’s fun, mash-up, Books Alive event here. |
Inspiring a love of reading in Kiwi children is a big part of the Awards’ remit and many of this year’s finalists had the opportunity to present their work to thousands of children around the country in a programme of Books Alive online events and virtual storytimes, co-ordinated through public and school libraries by LIANZA. You can watch these on the LIANZA YouTube channel. In this issue’s Viewpoint column, Crissi Blair discusses the important role awards play in engaging young kiwi readers with New Zealand stories.
The judging process for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te Reo – a report from Francis Leaf, Te Rōpū WhakahauAs you have read above, the winner of the 2020 Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award has been announced. Eligibility for the 2020 awards required that each book be published between 2019 April and 2020 March. These books had to be written completely in te Reo Māori, of which many were skillfully translated by Ngā Manukura, (persons held in high esteem and superbly proficient), expert Kaiako and talented whanau. Their pursuit in accurately acknowledging kaupapa Māori values using traditional and modern te Reo illuminate the true mauri of each book.
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Every judged book received is special and each one of the Te Rōpu Whakahau judges takes this responsibility seriously, so the criteria may appear clichéd – What makes this story stand out, does it honour te Reo; is it whānau friendly suitable for children alongside Kaumatua (Grandparents to babies); when reading, looking, listening or holding these books is it the type you read one on one or can it be read out loud in groups such as Te Kohanga Reo, Nga Kura Kura kaupapa Māori, Ruma Rumaki and even mainstream; was the audience intrigued by the stories; did it hold traditional or modern kaupapa; what captured the imagination; was there whakapapa OR whanaungatanga held; and – most importantly – the reaction, thoughts and responses are all influential factors taken into consideration when it comes to judging.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the organisers of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults agreed to a virtual presentation of the awards. This opportunity using technology is quite exciting. The five books to make the finalists for Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori are:
Arapū Toi, written by Moira Wairama and illustrated by Austin Whincup uses gentle rhythmic te Reo Māori, with kupu that emphasises ideas of wellness, the artwork started off on ice-cream lids epitomising that a picture is worth a thousand words. Ko Flit, te Tīrairaka me ngā Hēki Muna written and illustrated by Kat Quin and translated by Ngaere Roberts revisits a familiar character, introducing new kupu and repetitive sentences as does, Ngā Hoa Hoihoi written and illustrated by Kat Quin and translated by Pānia Papa revisits familiar characters and takes a witty adaptation of mimicking sounds and situations with te Reo also noting the liberal scattering of Kiwiana. Te Kirihimete I whakakorea written by Pania Tahau-Hodges, Bryony Walker, is illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White and translated by Kawata Teepa shows this seasonal misadventure is cleverly translated to rhyme and beautifully rooted firmly in Aotearoa, and the final book Tio Tiamu written by Kurahau and illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers shares an embarrassing but relevant problem tactfully uncovered through te reo told in an upfront yet convincing way.
You can watch Kat Quin’s Books Alive event here and Moira Wairama’s virtual storytime here.
Judges for 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, third time lucky kaitiakipukapuka Maori for Hastings District Libraries Moana Munro joined by Cellia Joe-Olsen, Tumuaki Tuakana (Immediate Past President) of Te Rōpū Whakahau and Francis Leaf, Collections Advisor at the Auckland University of Technology’s City Campus Library.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the organisers of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults agreed to a virtual presentation of the awards. This opportunity using technology is quite exciting. The five books to make the finalists for Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for Te Reo Māori are:
Arapū Toi, written by Moira Wairama and illustrated by Austin Whincup uses gentle rhythmic te Reo Māori, with kupu that emphasises ideas of wellness, the artwork started off on ice-cream lids epitomising that a picture is worth a thousand words. Ko Flit, te Tīrairaka me ngā Hēki Muna written and illustrated by Kat Quin and translated by Ngaere Roberts revisits a familiar character, introducing new kupu and repetitive sentences as does, Ngā Hoa Hoihoi written and illustrated by Kat Quin and translated by Pānia Papa revisits familiar characters and takes a witty adaptation of mimicking sounds and situations with te Reo also noting the liberal scattering of Kiwiana. Te Kirihimete I whakakorea written by Pania Tahau-Hodges, Bryony Walker, is illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White and translated by Kawata Teepa shows this seasonal misadventure is cleverly translated to rhyme and beautifully rooted firmly in Aotearoa, and the final book Tio Tiamu written by Kurahau and illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers shares an embarrassing but relevant problem tactfully uncovered through te reo told in an upfront yet convincing way.
You can watch Kat Quin’s Books Alive event here and Moira Wairama’s virtual storytime here.
Judges for 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, third time lucky kaitiakipukapuka Maori for Hastings District Libraries Moana Munro joined by Cellia Joe-Olsen, Tumuaki Tuakana (Immediate Past President) of Te Rōpū Whakahau and Francis Leaf, Collections Advisor at the Auckland University of Technology’s City Campus Library.
Virtual Events Bring Books Alive For Aotearoa’s Young Readers
From the most remote backblocks to our biggest cities, Kiwi kids around the country can get up close with Aotearoa’s best children’s authors and illustrators thanks to the wonders of the internet and the hard work of some very dedicated librarians.
If there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 cloud, it’s that this year’s programme of Books Alive events, which usually see finalists for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults traverse the country talking to groups of school children, has gone virtual.
‘We are thrilled that librarians around New Zealand have created amazing virtual events that will connect children of all ages with this year’s best New Zealand books – and even get to meet the authors and illustrators online!’ says LIANZA Executive Director, Ana Pickering.
Engaging with authors can be life-changing for children. In her award-winning book Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh talks about the impact of a visit to her school by poet Sam Hunt and the career trajectory it set her on.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults was begun by the library association in 1945. Since then, libraries have been celebrating the talents of the finalists through library storytimes, displays, recommendations and special events every year.
From an author-illustrator challenge, which led to a new story & illustration to high tea with fancy hats, from a special affairs show to a multimedia mash-up with local celebrities and finalist interviews and Q&As, librarians have created fun resources for children, students, family and whānau to view online, even when the ‘award season’ is over. VIP storytellers included the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy! An added bonus is that for the first time, children in the most rural areas of New Zealand get to experience the excitement of the awards.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution that New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage. The awards are made possible through the generosity, commitment and vision of funders and sponsors: Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, the Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA, Wellington City Council and Nielsen Book. The awards are administered by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust.
The Books Alive events and author-led virtual storytimes became available to all from Monday, August 3, thanks to librarians working with LIANZA in partnership with the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, supported by generous funding from Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ). The Virtual Storytimes will remain live for six months, while the Books Alive will remain online and available to the public as a wonderful resource.
The full programme of Books Alive events is available here and the virtual storytimes schedule can be viewed here.
If there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 cloud, it’s that this year’s programme of Books Alive events, which usually see finalists for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults traverse the country talking to groups of school children, has gone virtual.
‘We are thrilled that librarians around New Zealand have created amazing virtual events that will connect children of all ages with this year’s best New Zealand books – and even get to meet the authors and illustrators online!’ says LIANZA Executive Director, Ana Pickering.
Engaging with authors can be life-changing for children. In her award-winning book Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh talks about the impact of a visit to her school by poet Sam Hunt and the career trajectory it set her on.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults was begun by the library association in 1945. Since then, libraries have been celebrating the talents of the finalists through library storytimes, displays, recommendations and special events every year.
From an author-illustrator challenge, which led to a new story & illustration to high tea with fancy hats, from a special affairs show to a multimedia mash-up with local celebrities and finalist interviews and Q&As, librarians have created fun resources for children, students, family and whānau to view online, even when the ‘award season’ is over. VIP storytellers included the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy! An added bonus is that for the first time, children in the most rural areas of New Zealand get to experience the excitement of the awards.
The New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution that New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage. The awards are made possible through the generosity, commitment and vision of funders and sponsors: Creative New Zealand, HELL Pizza, the Wright Family Foundation, LIANZA, Wellington City Council and Nielsen Book. The awards are administered by the New Zealand Book Awards Trust.
The Books Alive events and author-led virtual storytimes became available to all from Monday, August 3, thanks to librarians working with LIANZA in partnership with the New Zealand Book Awards Trust, supported by generous funding from Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ). The Virtual Storytimes will remain live for six months, while the Books Alive will remain online and available to the public as a wonderful resource.
The full programme of Books Alive events is available here and the virtual storytimes schedule can be viewed here.
Full List of Prize Winners for the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award $7500
Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University Press)
Picture Book Award $7500
Abigail and the Birth of the Sun, Matthew Cunningham, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins (Puffin, Penguin Random House)
Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction $7500
Lizard's Tale, Weng Wai Chan (Text Publishing)
Young Adult Fiction Award $7500
Aspiring, Damien Wilkins (Annual Ink / Massey University Press)
Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction $7500
Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University Press)
Russell Clark Award for Illustration $7500
The Adventures of Tupaia, illustrated by Mat Tait, written by Courtney Sina Meredith (Allen & Unwin with Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum)
Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te Reo Māori $7500
Tio Tiamu, Kurahau, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers (Huia Publishers)
Best First Book Award $2000
#Tumeke!, Michael Petherick (Annual Ink / Massey University Press)
Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University Press)
Picture Book Award $7500
Abigail and the Birth of the Sun, Matthew Cunningham, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins (Puffin, Penguin Random House)
Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction $7500
Lizard's Tale, Weng Wai Chan (Text Publishing)
Young Adult Fiction Award $7500
Aspiring, Damien Wilkins (Annual Ink / Massey University Press)
Elsie Locke Award for Non-Fiction $7500
Mophead, Selina Tusitala Marsh (Auckland University Press)
Russell Clark Award for Illustration $7500
The Adventures of Tupaia, illustrated by Mat Tait, written by Courtney Sina Meredith (Allen & Unwin with Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum)
Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te Reo Māori $7500
Tio Tiamu, Kurahau, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers (Huia Publishers)
Best First Book Award $2000
#Tumeke!, Michael Petherick (Annual Ink / Massey University Press)