BfK Briefing and News 88: September 1994

NEWS

Book Aid International

1994 heralded the beginning of a new era for the book trade’s own charity when Ranfurly Library Service launched itself under the appropriately revitalised banner of Book Aid International.

For 40 years the charity has combated the acute lack of books throughout many developing nations by collecting and purchasing books in the UK and distributing them to schools, colleges, universities and libraries in need. Although well-known among its recipient nations, the reading public in Great Britain remains largely unaware of the organisation’s existence.

The change of name doesn’t mean a change in the nature of the charity’s activities – the vital work of providing books and supporting specific development projects will continue. It’s a move which will not only make Book Aid International’s work more widely recognised, it also celebrates a long history of achievement. A cause well worth supporting, says BfK.

Book Aid International can be contacted on 071 733 3577 or at 2 Coldharbour Place, 39-41 Coldharbour Lane, London SE5 9NR.

6 October is National Poetry Day

The organisers expect blanket media coverage of events taking place on 6th October and anyone participating is being encouraged to let the Poetry Society know what their plans are. The more unusual the event, the more likely it is to be picked up by local, or national, media.

Anyone can take part in National Poetry Day. Information packs can be obtained by ringing The Poetry Society Hotline, 071 240 2133 (24hrs). Callers should state whether they’re a school, a workplace or an interested individual.

PUBLICATIONS

Count to Five and Say I’m Alive!

This primary school video resource, devised by Michael Rosen for children aged 8-13, can also double as an INSET package on poetry.

Is consists of two videos – the first titled The Poetry, includes appearances by John Agard, Valerie Bloom, Jackie Kay, Roger McGough, Colin McNaughton, Judith Nicholls, Brian Patten, Kit Wright… not to mention M Rosen himself. It’s as lively and comprehensive a fifty-five minute survey of current poetry for children as you’re likely to get.

The second, The Workshops offer four examples of poet’s writing alongside children – Judith Nicholls, Lemn Sissay, Michael Rosen and the Yakety Yak team.

Offered free with both videos is a 120 page book featuring all the poems recited together with performing and teaching suggestions… and some smart INSET training ideas.

Altogether, at a price which – dare we say it – amounts to less than half an author visit these days (and you can’t file half-an-author in your library afterwards) this resource offers excellent value. Of course, accompanying a visit by one of the poets concerned, it’s unbeatable…

Each video is priced at £24.49 (including VAT and p&p). Available from: Team Video Productions, Canalot, 222 Kensal Road, London W10 5BN or on 081 960 5536.

Children’s Books of the Year 1994

The gap left by the previous editor, Julia Eccleshare, wasn’t easy to fill… but a team of enthusiasts led by Madeleine Lindley, in association with Young Book Trust, accepted the challenge and has produced a handsome volume, clearly organised and beautifully printed. It contains 344 titles, chosen from more than 4000 books, divided into four age groups: 0-5, 5-9, 9-12, and 12+. Categories include picture books, information books, poetry, fiction, folk and fairy tales – price £6.50, 0 85353 499 7.

Contact Jean Egbunike or Sandra Vince at Book House, 45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ or phone 081 870 9055.

CONFERENCES

IBBY Conference – Politics and Children’s Literature: issues in writing and publishing today

Date: Saturday, 12 November 1994.

Venue: Roehampton Institute, London.

Contributors: Michael Rosen, Gaye Hiçyilmaz, Mary Hoffman, Ira Saxena, Verna Wilkins, Philip Dickinson, Adèle Geras and Tamoko Masaki amongst others.

Cost: £20.00 (IBBY members £15 / concessions for students £10).

Lunch: optional at £6.00.

Applications: Susan Hancock, Children’s Literature Research Centre, Downshire House, Roehampton Institute, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4HT (tel 081 392 3008).

The Fifth Annual Conference of CLAI will be held on 21 and 22 October 1994 in the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin.

Speakers to include Allan Ahlberg, Shirley Hughes, Ed Marum and Jacqueline Wilson, together with a panel of Irish writers. Details from the Church of Ireland College of Education, 96 Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6.

AWARDS

The Library Association Carnegie and Greenaway Awards

Carnegie Medal

Robert Swindells for Stone Cold (Hamish Hamilton, 0 241 13300 9, £8.99). ‘A gripping teenage novel with eerie topical echoes. A powerful thriller and disturbingly plausible depiction of the plight of young homeless people. A terrific achievement.’ – comment the judges.

Kate Greenaway Medal

Alan Lee for Black Ships before Troy, author Rosemary Sutcliff (Frances Lincoln, 0 7112 0778 X, £12.99). The judges describe this as ‘A retelling of the legend of Troy, using ageless, haunting illustrations which add enormously to the old story, whilst capturing the grand sweep of the Iliad.’

Signal Poetry Award 1994

The All-Nite Café by Philip Gross (Faber, 0 571 16753 5, £4.99). A ghost at a railway station and a negative uncle, punk mermaids and a deadbeat circus, the elusive Who-man and the Ace of Strange… where else could they meet but in a book of poems by Philip Gross?

Lancashire Children’s Book of the Year

Winner: Ian Strachan for The Boy in the Bubble (Methuen, 0 416 18739 0, £9.99; Mammoth, 0 7497 1685 1, £3.50 pbk). See page 10 in our reviews section.

For more details of this Award, and a copy of the excellent accompanying publication, with children’s comments on all the entries, contact P McKay at Lancashire County Library HQ, 143 Corporation Street, Preston PR1 2UQ or phone 0722 264040.

Nottinghamshire Children’s Book Award 1994

The Acorn Award goes to David Morgan and David Parkins for Blooming Cats (Deutsch, 0 590 54092 0, £7.99).

The Oak Tree Award goes to Helen Cresswell for The Watchers (Viking, 0 670 84584 1, £8.99; Puffin, 0 14 036140 5, £3.50 pbk).

To find out more about this Award, ring Ann Fairbairn of Nottinghamshire Libraries on 0602 854203.