Abstract:
There can be little doubt about the health and strength of children's literature in New Zealand. A testimony of the excellence and diversity of New Zealand's children's literature are the numerous Children's Literature Awards that are contested and presented each year in New Zealand. Writers and illustrators are now, more than at any other time in New Zealand's history, more likely to have their creations considered for a literary award, simply because of the increase of awards being contested. Today, writers and illustrators can have their work judged on such things as the quality of a written text, outstanding and distinguished illustrations, overall contribution to New Zealand's children's literature, best book written in Te Reo Maori and the best book by a previously unpublished writer. The increase in the number, scope and breadth of the Children's Book Awards means that many more writers and illustrators will be acknowledged, and many more books will receive reward for their excellence. Despite the fact that New Zealand Children's Book Awards have been presented since the creation of the Esther Glen Medal in 1945, there does not exist today a single publication that provides comprehensive information on, or annotations of, any of the major book awards. The original annotated bibliography that has been created rectifies this problem to a large extent. The bibliography provides a comprehensive annotation of 90 of the award winning fiction books that have received one of the following book awards:
Esther Glen Medal
Russell Clark Award
Children's Book & Picture Book of the Year Award
AIM Book & Picture Book of the Year Award
NZ Post Children's Book Awards
Tom Fitzgibbon Award
Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book
Each of the awards shall be comprehensively annotated and examined from their creation through to 1999 or until the year an award has been discontinued or altered. Each of the annotations shall include:
Name of Award and Year of Presentation
Publication details
Individual annotation entry number
Comprehensive plot review
Assessment of key themes and issues
Keyword entries
Recommended reading age.
It is the intention and objective of the annotated bibliography to bring to the attention of booksellers, book buyers, librarians, teachers, parents, children and young adults, books that have been set apart as excellent and worthy of recognition. This will help to ensure that these books and their authors or illustrators receive the recognition that they deserve.
