Children’s authors celebrate a success story
Young readers vote for their favourites
Published:
THE winners of a popular book competition for children’s writers were announced yesterday after thousands of youngsters voted for their favourite titles.
A record 9,541 young readers from across Scotland voted in the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books, which recognises excellence in writing and illustration.
The awards are managed by the Scottish Book Trust in partnership with the Scottish Arts Council.
At a ceremony in Aberdeen yesterday, the winning writers were named in three categories. In the early years, 0-7 category, Billy Monster’s Daymare, by Alan Durant and Ross Collins, took the top prize.
The ages eight to 11 category was won by Dawn Nelson for her book Dark Isle and the age 12-16 category was won by Jan Henderson for Bunker 10.
Each of the prizewinners was handed £3,000 at the Beach Ballroom ceremony.
Anna Gibbons, children’s programme manager with the Scottish Book Trust, said: “The Scottish Book Trust is delighted by the hugely enthusiastic response to the 2008 Royal Mail Awards.
“The fact that the number of votes doubled this year is proof of both the eagerness of Scottish young people to make their voice heard and the outstanding quality of the shortlisted books.”
Julie Morrison, from Royal Mail, said: “The response from children has been quite exceptional and this is a real tribute to all the schools and the teachers who encouraged their pupils to get involved.”
The prizes were presented by North East MSP Maureen Watt at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Kirsty Wark.
