The Wonky Donkey nominated for children's book award

Last year I brought you news of the gorgeous children’s book The Wonky Donkey by Christchurch musician Craig Smith. It is with great delight today that I read The Wonky Donkey has been named as a finalist in the 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards Picture Book Category! The simple but enchanting rhyming story adored by all ages has sold over 70,000 copies and is, in my eyes, a most deserving nominee (and I hope winner!).

Winners will be announced on May 19.

However, The Wonky Donkey will face stiff competition in an awards competition packed full of exciting entries including offerings from perennial author favourites Joy Cowley and Margaret Mahy.

The nominees in all categories selected from over 130 titles published in New Zealand in 2009 are:


Picture Book Category:

• Cowshed Christmas by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
• Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll (Scholastic New Zealand)
• Te reo edition: Hū-Hū Koroheke, translated by Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Scholastic New Zealand)
• Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig Goes to Dad’s Cafe by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb (Scholastic New Zealand)
• The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley (Scholastic New Zealand)
• The Word Witch by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by David Elliot and edited by Tessa Duder (HarperCollins Publishers)

Non-fiction Category:

• Ben & Mark: Boys of the High Country by Christine Fernyhough, and John Bougen (Random House New Zealand)
• Dear Alison, edited by Simon Pollard (Penguin NZ)
• E3 Call Home by Janet Hunt (Random House New Zealand)
• Rangitoto by Maria Gill, illustrated by Heather Arnold (Puffin Books)
• Willie Apiata, VC: The Reluctant Hero by Paul Little and John Lockyer (Puffin Books)

Junior Fiction Category:

• Cry of the Taniwha by Des Hunt (HarperCollins Publishers)
• Friends: Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)
• The Loblolly Boy by James Norcliffe (Longacre Press)
• My Story: The Mine’s Afire! By Susan Battye and Thelma Eakin (Scholastic New Zealand)
• Sting by Raymond Huber (Walker Books)

Young Adult Fiction Category:

• Banquo’s Son by T.K. Roxborogh (Penguin NZ)
• The Beginner’s Guide to Living by Lia Hills (Text Publishing)
• Blood of the Lamb: The Crossing by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)
• Brainjack by Brian Falkner (Walker Books)
• End of the Alphabet by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)