21st Century
Learning Space
Library News
CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (CBCA)
Every year the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) announce a list of books that are drawn from entries put forward by Australian publishers for the annual Children’s Books of the Year Awards. Hundreds of books are nominated, and the judges then chose six titles for each category of the awards. The CBCA Books of the Year are regarded as Australia’s most prestigious children’s literature awards. The awards started in 1946 to promote Australian children’s books, by Australian authors and illustrators for Australian children something that I am also passionate about promoting.
At Rowville Primary School we look at the six titles nominated in five of the six categories of Children’s books: The Younger Readers section, The Early Childhood section, The Picture Book of the Year, The Eve Pownall Award for Information Books and the Award for a New Illustrator.
The winners of the awards will be announced during Book Week in August. I look forward to sharing these books with you as the year progresses. Further information is available at https://cbca.org.au
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN AWARD
The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children's books. It is presented every two years by IBBY (The International Board on Books for Young People). The website states that… "The Hans Christian Andersen Awards recognise lifelong achievement and are presented to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children's literature.”
Nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Award are made by the National Sections of IBBY. I was very happy to discover that IBBY Australia have nominated Gary Crew (Writing) and Matt Ottley (Illustration) for the 2024 Awards. The judges for the award take into consideration the complete works of the nominee, the literary qualities and aesthetics. They also need to have the ability to see things from a child’s point of view and most importantly to “stretch the child’s curiosity and imagination” – two very powerful things!
Being nominated is wonderful however winning the Hans Christian Andersen Award is outstanding. Australia has only ever had two winners, both in 1986. Patricia Wrightson won the award for writing and Robert Ingpen won the award for illustration.
Gary Crew has been an author, lecturer, freelance writer, teacher of English and History. He has written many children’s books over his thirty year career. He has won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year, four times. He writes short stories, picture books and nonfiction for young people. Gary Crew’s picture books are thought provoking, sometimes confronting but always interesting. I recommend his books to older students. One of my favourites is Cat on the Island. The book helps us understand the consequences to our natural environment when a new species inhabits an area.
Matt Ottley is an illustrator, author, musician and composer. He has written and illustrated more than 30 picture books. I have admired his work for many years. His illustrations are magnificent, creative, powerful and inspiring. I believe that the power of good illustration is when the illustrator has interpreted the author’s words and added meaning to the story. Matt Ottley delivers every time. My favourite recent work of Matt’s is How To Make A Bird written by Meg McKinley. It won the Picture Book of the Year 2021.
I congratulate Gary Crew and Matt Ottley for their nominations to this award and look forward to the announcement of the winners next year at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Further information can be found at https://ibbyaustralia.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/australian-nominees-for-the-2024-hans-christian-andersen-award/
SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUB
The brochures for Scholastic Bookclub Issue 3 have been distributed this week. There are some great titles all at reasonable prices. Have a look at the popular series titles such as Wings of Fire, Pokemon, Lego Hot Wheels, Diary of a Minecraft Zombie, and Ella Diaries and many others. The 40th Anniversary Edition of Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas is on special for $9.00. This Australian Classic full of magic is a must read and has never been out of print. Bookclub orders are due by Monday 8 May, 2023.
LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNING SPACE
The lunchtime programs are up and running again this term. Every classroom has the timetable of activities so that students can refer to it on a daily basis. There is a variety of activities and something fun for everyone. We have Coding, Movie Moments Kindness Kids, Chess Champions, Rowville Writers, Book Bugs and Building Buddies.
Reminder to all students that everyone is welcome to come in and have a browse, borrow some books and enjoy this space. We are open for student borrowing every day at lunchtime and after school 3.15-3.30pm. I am more than happy to assist you with your reading choices! Come and see me at any time.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Chan Family for your recent book donations. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey is in high demand and once these donations are processed I’m sure they will be swiftly borrowed! Thank you very much.
Happy Reading!
Jackie Hicks
21st Century Learning Space Manager