NZ Book Awards for Children and YA: Picture Book Award

Here are the picture books that have been shortlisted for this year's awards. Click on the title for catalogue information.

Lion Guards the Cake by Ruth Paul
A bit of mystery combines with mischief and imagination in this story about what happens when Lion proudly goes beyond the call of duty to guard the family cake while everyone sleeps. Little by little the cake disappears. What can have happened to it? Ruth Paul is the author of multiple children’s picture books and has been the winner of the Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award. Her books have been translated into several languages, published both in New Zealand and overseas.

The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke by Steph Matuku, illustrated by Laya Mutton-Rogers
When the octopus Te Wheke tricks Tamati so he can scoop up little Aria when the children are playing on the beach, Tamati comes up with a plan to save his sister. Will Te Wheke’s delight in collecting treasures be his undoing? Published in both English and Māori language editions this engaging parable is complemented with vivid illustrations. Steph Matuku is a freelance author who has been selected twice for Storylines Notable Books. Laya Mutton-Rogers has illustrated several picture books as well as webcomics, and been nominated for a Hugo award.

My Cat Can See Ghosts by Emily Joe
Cat loving kids will warm to this story especially if they’ve got a crazy feline at home. You’ll probably recognize the mad antics: the zooming, skittering and kung-fu kicks pictured here. No wonder it looks like the cat's seen a ghost. This story is told in rhyming verse to make a fun rhythmic read you can enjoy together. Emily Joe is an art director and owner of two cats. This is her first children’s book.

The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth by Pania Tahau-Hodges, illustrated by Story Hemi-Morehouse
Nan always has a trick up her sleeve when it comes to getting the best seats for kapa-haka, finding the choicest pāua and whitebait fritters, choosing the coolest poi, meeting the star performers. She’s a kapa-haka whizz, but she’s also keeping a secret. Told in both English and Maori language editions, with delightful illustrations. Author, Pania Tahau-Hodges, is a kapa-haka geek, with a background in publishing. Story Hemi-Morehouse is a freelance illustrator working in Brisbane.

Bumblebee Grumblebee
David Elliot is an award winning children’s illustrator and author who is also famous internationally for his contributions to the Redwall fantasy series. In this board book, wordplay and rhyme connect with everyday activities from a toddler’s world to make this a fun early read. The illustrations are, as you’d expect, quite delightful.

12 July 2022

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