BfK News: January 1989
Children’s Book Foundation Appoints New Head
Book Trust, after several months reconsidering the future of its Children’s Book Foundation, has announced the appointment of Brough Girling as the new Head of CBF who takes up this important job from 1st January 1989. Brough would appear to he well suited. He took a degree in Education at Oxford, has worked for one of the largest booksellers in the UK (Books for Students), and was Head of Publicity and Promotion for the Hamlyn Group. He is probably best known as the creator, Campaign Director and driving force behind Readathon, the hugely successful sponsored reading event. He will continue in this role. When asked about the prospect of re-establishing the rather damaged image of the CBF, he said:
‘Schools are the powerhouse of children’s reading, not just the teaching of it, but also for the acquisition of the recreational reading habit. To a busy teacher the sheer range of children’s books can he bewildering (it is for parents too, incidentally) so we’ll need to encourage and guide them. Our industry does not have the cash to evangelise about the pleasures of reading to children – not to the extent that I want to do it – so we will have to win sponsorship from people who have. The Children’s Book Foundation is ideally positioned for this important job.’
He is clearly stressing the strategic importance of schools and teachers to the children’s book market and thus for the future direction of the CBF. We wish Brough well and, not for the first time, look forward to a fruitful and creative relationship with a revitalised Children’s Book Foundation.
Directory of Children’s Writers from Scotland
From Book Trust in Scotland comes an updated version of its invaluable directory of children’s writers willing, to make visits to schools and libraries. There is a detailed entry on each author describing the age group of children preferred, ideal number per group and number of groups per visit, areas covered, any special requirements. and the author’s most recent titles. Also included are introductory notes about booking and looking after an author, and planning a book event in general. Available from Book Trust Scotland. I5a Lynedoch Street, Glasgow G3 6EF (tel 041 3321)391), price £2.50 inc. p&p.
Sprint – a new paperback imprint for teenagers
Well. newish; the first four titles were launched by Simon Schuster (the American publishing house now with a UK base) back in October 1988 and they’re looking good. We’ve been passing them around teaching friends and getting back encouraging noises. There’s another clutch of titles on their way this Spring to look out for. In the meantime, it you d like more details, there’s an Information Pack available with sample chapters, covers and book information. Write or phone Jo Waters. Simon & Schuster. West Garden Place. Kendal Street. London W2 2A0 (tel: 01-724 7577).
Catching Up on Awards
the smarties prize
The 1988 Grand Prize winner of The Smarties Prize for children’s books (and winner of the Under Fives category) was Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? (Walker Books, 0 7445 07960, £6.95) by Martin Waddell with illustrations by Barbara Firth. They shared the £8000 prize.
The other category winners, each receiving £1000, were:
Can It Be True?, Susan Hill, illustrated by Angela Barrett, Hamish Hamilton, 0 241 12155 8, £6.95 (6-8 category)
Rushavenn Time, Theresa Whistler, published by and available from Brixworth Primary School, sec page 4 (9-11 category).
The judges for -the award were: Fiona Waters, Gyles Brandreth, Colin Hawkins, Helen Paiba and Kaye Webb. The Smarties Prize, established in 1985„ is sponsored by Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery and administered by Book Trust.
The Kathleen Fidler Award
For a first novel for children by a writer born or resident in Scotland.
The 1988 winner was Flight of the Solar Ducks by Charles Morgan, published by Blackie, 0 216 92585 1, £6.95
A sci-fi adventure. with environmental and rich/poor overtones running throughout, this is Charles Morgan’s first book for children.
TES Information Book Awards
The Senior Award (10-16) went to Martin Luther King by Pam Brown and Valerie Scheldt, published by ExsIey in their People Who Have Helped the World’ series, 185015 086 9, £4.99.
The judges were so impressed with its clear, sympathetic text and unusual photographs that it beat some stiff competition from more glamorous publications.
The Junior Award (up to 9) was won jointly by ‘straightforward, beautifully illustrated, natural history – Conker, Barrie Watts, A & C Black, O 7136 2928 2, £4.50- and a description of the complicated process of book production – Making a Book, Ruth Thomson, Franklin Watts, 0 86313 539 0, £5.25.
Both texts were commended for the clarity and naturalness of their tone for this age group and also for the aptness of their illustrations.
The Whitbread Award
Shortlisted for the Children’s Novel category were:
The Monster Garden, Vivien Alcock, Methuen, 0 416 09192 X, £7.95
Awaiting Developments, .Judy Allen, Julia MacRae, 0 86203 356 X, £8.95
A Map of Nowhere, Gillian Cross, Oxford, 0 19 271583 6, £7.95
The winner was Awaiting Developments, which now goes forward to be judged for the overall Whitbread Book of the Year.
