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Bookchat Awards for 2011

When Bookchat was a printed magazine, there used to be a “Books of the Year” commendation. This custom was revived to cover 2010. Here is my selected short-list from the English books submitted to “Bookchat” during the past year. Those concerned will receive certificates.

Fiction

A WISH THIS BIG by Ingrid Mennen, illustrated by Katrin Coetzer (Tafelberg)
FINDING AUNT JOAN by Jenny Hatton, illustrated by Joan Rankin (Jacana)
MOVING HOUSE by Jenny Hatton, illustrated by Joan Rankin (Jacana)
SOLOMON’S STORY by Judy Froman (Macmillan)
STEPPING SOLO by Jayne Bauling (Maskew Miller Longman)
THE MAGIC FISH retold by Margie Orford, illustrated by Lizza Littlewort (Jacana)

Non-fiction

FACT FINDER by Helen Lewis, illustrated by Nikki Miles (Metz Press)
HELEN SUZMAN by Gillian Godsell (Maskew Miller Longman: “They Fought for Freedom”)
MY FIRST BOOK OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN OCEAN LIFE by Roberta Griffiths, illustrated by Judy Maré (Struik Nature)

A commendable year’s list, though hard to pick the top spot. Nothing in the younger categories which was fully satisfying in all aspects – writing and illustration and design. Some reassuring non-fiction publications, and my choice of winner is on the edge of this category, fiction based on fact. It wins by sheer impact.

The Bookchat Book of the Year 2011 is –

Solomon's Story by Judy Froman  (Pan Macmillan) Much of this story is set in the High Court of South Africa.

Special Awards

Recognition is offered to three people (in alphabetical order) who have, in their different ways, given outstanding support to children’s literature.

Gorry Bowes Taylor For allocating regular time/space on her “Book Choice” programme on Fine Music Radio for many years.

Lona Gericke For services particularly to Afrikaans children’s literature; many years on the committee of the SACBF and IBBY SA; and a past reviewer for Bookchat magazine.

Jean Williams For leading Biblionef for over ten years to the publishing and re-issuing of key South African titles in all eleven official languages of our country.

Retirement

A fine party was held on 26 January at Bellville Public Library in honour of Lona Gericke who has retired as their children’s librarian. IBBY SA, librarians and publishers paid tribute to her service (not finished yet) to South African children’s literature.

ALMA

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year. Warm congratulations! This year’s winner (or winners) will be announced in Bologna on 20 March. The ALMA amounts to 5 million Swedish krone and is awarded annually.

Minister Adelsohn Liljeroth stresses: “The award promotes interest in literature for children and young people all over the world, and reinforces the rights of children on a global level.”

2012 IBBY Congress

We are pleased to inform you that the full programme for the London Congress is now available on the internet.
Go to: http://www.ibbycongress2012.org for information about the events and the names and topics of the speakers.
News about the pre and post congress tours will be posted shortly.

IBBY SA

Many of the papers delivered during the IBBY Congress of 2004 in Cape Town were made available soon after via our SACBF website. IBBY SA has now made these interesting papers newly available via www.ibbysa.org.za

SANLAM Prizes for Youth Literature

Short lists have been announced by Tafelberg Publishers of the finalists in the Afrikaans, English and African languages categories. The winners will be announced in October. Gold prizes of R12,000 and silver of R6,000 are available in each category. Details at www.nb.co.za

Centre for the Book

A Second South African Writers’ Symposium is announced – to be held 8 to 10 March 2012. Proposals for papers should be sent in by 31 January which has already passed! Details from bukelwa.baba@nlsa.ac.za or nelisa.lunika@nlsa.ac.za