Children's Book of the Year Awards (Australia) 2012 - NSW Judge Report by Jill Bruce Presented at the ALIACYS Pre Bookweek Extravaganza, 25 June 2012

1. Children’s Book
Council of
Australia short
list 2012
© Jill B Bruce 2012

2. Jill B Bruce
NSW Judge CBCA 2012-2113 awards

3. From May 2011 to
February 2012, the 8
judges read 365 Books
A huge range of
categories including
adventure, fantasy,
family, school, history,
humour and animal
stories.
OR 77
YR 130
EC 116
PB 130
Total 365
Note some books were
entered in more than 1
category
+EP 54

4. Judges
conference
Largs Pier, Adelaide
March 29 – April 2,
2012
Short List
announced April
3rd 2012

5. All Judges and
award co-
ordinators
8 fiction Judges – 1
from each
state/territory.
The judges are
chosen by members
of each state branch
of CBCA
3 Eve Pownall judges
2 Awards co-
ordinators

6. Judges conference
One category was
discussed each day
starting at 8.30 AM. First
the books were held up,
discussed and either
rejected by a vote of at
least four agreeing they
were worthwhile for
notable discussion. We
then went through the
reduced heap discussing
the literary merits of each
book. Then we voted with
a show of hands to include
them in the notables, 5
votes needed for inclusion.
We then went through the
notable heap and voted for
the six short list books.

7. Deciding winner and honour books
A secret ballot was used to decide the winner
and honour books. The vote was on paper using
descending values from 6 to 1.
After much discussion and many scraps of paper
we came to a final decision and the short list
was set.
The later afternoon was spent editing our pre-
written annotations for the chosen notables
books.

8. Short List announcement
April 3, 2012
The eight fiction
judges with South
Australian
Governor, Rear
Admiral Kevin
Scarce in the
ballroom of
Government
House, Adelaide.

9. What were the judges looking for?
CRITERIA FOR ALL CATEGORIES
Outstanding titles with
literary merit.
Language appropriate to the theme and
style of the work with regard to the
aesthetic qualities of language.
Originality in the treatment of literary
elements.
Quality of illustrations, book design,
production, printing and binding

10. The 2012 early childhood Short List
4 FEMALE AUTHORS, 2 MALE AUTHORS

11. The Runaway Hug
Nick bland Ill. Freya Blackwood
• Effective collaboration
of text and images
• Authentic family story
• Simple, heart-warming
narrative
• Intricate, detailed
illustrations
• Suitable for EC and YR

12. Come down, cat!
Sonya Hartnett ill. Lucia Masciullo
• Hartnett’s text is lyrical
and emotive
• Masciullo’s images are
expansive and
sophisticated
• Strong narrative drive
supported by rich visuals
• What is bravery?
• Suitable for many ages

13. That’s not a daffodil!
Elizabeth Honey
• Gentle and endearing
• Multicultural and
multigenerational
• Metaphorical and cyclic
• Honey’s images and
text support each other
wonderfully
• Suitable for all levels of
EC

14. The last viking
Norman Jorgensen ill. James Foley
• Variety of viewpoints and
perspective in the images
• Strong narrative, with lots
of text
• Plucky resilient
protagonist
• Humour and irony evident
• Includes issues such as
bullying
• Suitable for upper end of
EC into YR

15. No Bears
Meg McKinlay ill. Leila Rudge
• Close relationship
between literary
and illustrated texts
• Book about books
• Clever witty and
subversive
• Visual clues
• Suitable for many
age groups

16. Rudie nudie
Emma Quay
• Bath time book
• Illustrations are lively and
active
• Text rhyme works effectively
when read aloud
• Children are depicted as
loved and safe
• Parents are both evident
• Colour palette suits subject
matter and design
• Fun, slightly daring
• Suitable for young end of EC

17. EARLY CHILDHOOD JUDGING CRITERIA
• Written for children who are pre-reading or
early stages of reading
• Outstanding books of fiction, drama, poetry or
concept books.
• Can be picture books, picture storybooks, or
texts where illustrations play a major part in
the storytelling or concept development.

18. The 2012 Younger Readers Short
List. 5 Female authors, 1 Male

19. Crow Country Kate Constable
• One of four time slip
novels entered
• Aboriginal aspects
sensitively handled
• Atmospheric and
evocative
• Dominant genres –
mystery/family and
friendship
• Upper end of YR

20. The outcasts John Flanagan
• Companion series to
Ranger’s Apprentice
focusing on the Skandians
• Group of misfit boys team
up and face challenges to
prove their worth
• Some humour and
character development
• Upper end of YR
• Action sequences well
described
• Book one in the series that
stands alone

21. Nanberry: Black brother white
Jackie French
• Historical narrative
• Mostly set between
1789 – 1797
• Author’s notes provided
• Clash of cultures –
European and
indigenous
• Detailed and emotionally
powerful
• Upper end of YR

22. The Truth about Verity Sparks
Susan Green
• Gaslamp, sub-genre of
steam punk, which is
usually set in 19th C
recently industrialised
society.
• Elements of paranormal,
mystery, historical and
adventure genres
• Feisty, independent
female protagonist
• Effective blend of action
and suspense
• Upper end of YR

23. The Golden Door Emily Rodda
• Classic Rodda fantasy
• Detailed world building
• Strong family connections
and loyalties
• Reluctant under-dog hero
• First (stand alone) in a new
series
• Strong female character
• Upper end of YR due to
strong violence

24. Bungawitta
Emily Rodda ill. Craig Smith
• Australian rural setting
• Iconic Australian humour
and characters
• Images integrated effectively
• Drought affected country
town
• Community seeks ways to
bring people to join or re-
join the community
• Inspirational and witty
narrative
• Middle range of YR

25. CRITERIA FOR YOUNGER READERS
Outstanding books of fiction, poetry or drama.
• For readers who have developed independent
reading skills
• These readers are still developing in literary
appreciation.
• A huge range of books from small books for
newly confident readers up to more
challenging novels. Generally for middle to
upper primary students.

26. The 2012 picture book Short List.
3/3 Illustrators,1 male author 5
female.

27. Look, a book!
Freya Blackwood
text Libby Gleeson
• Minimal ambiguous text
• Metaphorical images
• Use of framing and
symbolism
• The ‘red’ book
• Readers bring own
experiences to the book
• Suitable for a wide age
range

28. The dream of the thylacine
Ron Brooks text Margaret Wild
• Lyrical and dreamlike
• Unusual contrasting
structure
• Mixed media
• Effective use of
repetition in words and
poetic structure
• Strong powerful
message
• Suitable for a wide range
of audiences

29. For all creatures
Rebecca Cool text Glenda Millard
• Joyous celebratory text
• Clever and inspirational
use of repetition
• Clear consistency of
design
• Effective collaboration
between author and
artist
• Suitable for a wide range
of audiences and
purposes

30. A bus called heaven
Bob Graham
• Distinctive illustrative
style
• Story of community
working together
• Multicultural harmony
• Hopeful and humorous
• Gentle and restrained
• Suitable for all ages

31. No bears
Leila Rudge text Meg McKinlay
• Images enhance the
text, add to it, build on
it
• Story within a story
• Bear around the edges
• Magic and rescue
• Quirky protagonist
• Multiple reading levels

32. Flood
Bruce Whatley text Jackie French
• Powerful and fitting
images
• Sophisticated yet minimal
text
• Faithfully recreates many
familiar events and places
• Raining and crying device
used effectively
• Useful narrative device –
the dog
• Suitable for a wide
audience
• Non fiction elements

33. CRITERIA FOR PICTURE BOOKS
• Outstanding books where the author and
illustrator achieve artistic and literary unity.
• Can be wordless books where the story, theme or
concept is unified through illustrations.
• Balancing and harmonising: artistic style and
graphic excellence; use of media and technique;
colour, line, shape and texture; relationship
between illustration and text; clarity,
appropriateness and aesthetic appeal; quality of
book design, production, printing and binding.

34. The 2012 Eve Pownall (information)
Short List. 3 female authors, 3
mixed groups
54 books
15 Notables

35. The little refugee
Ahn & Suzanne Do ill. Bruce
Whatley
• Adapted from Do’s
autobiography ‘The
Happiest Refugee’
• Illustrations reflect events
by changing colours and
tones
• Clever emotive story-telling
• Important narrative suited
to all ages

36. One Small island
Alison Lester Coral Tulloch
• Macquarie Island history
• Detailed written text
• Diversity of visual material
• Brings an isolated
environment to our view
• Topics range from first hand
historical accounts to most
recent visitors
• Includes all the components
of non fiction
• Environmental conservation
messages

37. Surrealism for kids
Queensland Art Gallery
• Produced by a huge
team
• Surrealism as a
movement
• Has a 60’s flavour and
design
• Includes four pages on
six of the great
surrealist masters
• Striking production

38. Bilby secrets
Edel Wignell ill. Mark Jackson
• Narrative format
• Factual information
offered in a smaller and
different font
• Illustrative colours
appropriate for the
Australian desert
• Suited for young
children with a simple
index in the back

39. Fromelles
Carole Wilkinson
• A WW1 Battle usually
included under the Battle
of the Somme
• Has an introductory
section of fiction at the
beginning of each chapter
• Based on true experiences
• Predominately non fiction
• Secondary school years
• Comprehensive
bibliography

40. Playground
compiled by Nadia Wheatley
• 80 elders contributed
• Life stories from the 20th
century
• Contributors are listed
• Glossary and index
• Includes stories from
both well-known as well
as everyday Indigenous
people
• Stories from Country
• Column format
• Illustrations and
photographs add another
dimension

41. CRITERIA FOR EVE POWNALL
INFORMATION BOOKS
• Outstanding books that have the prime intention of
documenting factual material
• Using imaginative presentation, interpretation and
variation of style.
• Balance and harmony of the elements: Style of
language and presentation
• Graphic excellence
• Clarity, appropriateness and aesthetic appeal of
illustrations.
• Integration of text and graphics + overall design
• Accuracy relevant to the current state of knowledge

42. The 2012 older readers Short
List. 5 male, 1 female author

43. Ishmael and the hoops of steel
Michael Gerard Bauer
• Third in a series, but
stands alone
• Follows Ishmael through
Yrs 11 and 12
• Rites-of-passage
• Multicultural
• Funny, funny, funny
• References and parallels to
Hamlet
• Suitable for secondary
school ages

44. A straight line to my heart
Bill Condon
• Rural setting
• Unusual but positive family
arrangement
• Tiff wants to be a journalist
• Typically Australian, but
does not fall into cliché or
‘ockerisms’
• Lots packed in, but tight and
funny
• Feel-good book
• Suits Secondary school
students

45. The golden day
Ursula Dubosarsky
• Evocative language
• Reminiscent of Picnic at
Hanging Rock
• Multi layered narrative
with touches of humour
• Beautifully captures a
moment in time
• Ambiguous mysterious
epilogue
• Could be used in upper
primary, as well as
secondary

46. The dead I know
Scot Gardner
• Dark and intense
• Adolescent narrator
suffering nightmares and
anxiety
• ‘Saved’ by a compassionate
funeral director and his
young daughter
• Searing portrait of a
dysfunctional life
• Hopeful satisfying
conclusion
• Upper secondary students

47. The coming of the whirlpool
Andrew McGahan
• First in a series of four
fantasy novels
• Focuses on a young boy’s
adventurous journey to
follow a seafaring life
• McGahan’s love of ships
and the ocean revealed
• Vivid imagery and strong
narrative
• Detailed world building
• Suitable for upper primary
into secondary

48. When we were two
Robert Newton
• Historical road trip
• Close siblings Dan and
younger brother Eddie
• Runaways from a violent
father
• Rural NSW C WW1
• Meet a diverse cast of
characters
• Comedy and pathos

49. CRITERIA FOR OLDER READERS
• Outstanding books of fiction, drama or poetry
• The reader will be required to have a degree
of maturity to appreciate the topics, themes
and scope of emotional involvement
• Appropriate in style and content for readers in
secondary schooling up to 18 years.
• Large range as 14 year olds and 17+ readers
have widely differing levels of cognitive
development

50. 2012
Notables
Younger Reader 24
Early Childhood 23
Picture Book 27
Older Reader 22
Eve Pownall 15

51. With so many great books are we
winning in literacy?
• Yes and no!
• According to the Education Review Journal
article of 9 Dec.2009 Australia is the only OECD
(Organisation for Economic co-operation and
Development) country to show a significant
decline in reading literacy performance from
2000 to 2009.
• High socioeconomic kids are generally doing fine
• Girls are going great, boys are trailing them
• Low socioeconomic and country kids are up to 2-
3 years behind
• Indigenous kids are way behind

52. 2012 NATIONAL YEAR OF READING
• As teachers and librarians we need to concentrate our
efforts to ensure that we maximise the opportunities
for kids to be exposed to the best literature available,
preferably Australian.
• Be seen to be reading, promote great titles, discuss the
short list books. Try to get teachers and parents
reading with and in front of kids.
• Read to kids at every opportunity so reading becomes
a habit they enjoy and look forward to.
• We can turn literacy levels around so Australia can
have a “mind Boom” when the mining boom is over.

53. Jill Bruce’s books available