International Literature for Children...

My final post will discuss international literature for children. 

One international literature award is Hans Christian Andersen Award.  Some refer to this as the “Nobel Prize for children’s literature”.  This international award is given biennially.  One award is given to an author and one is given to an illustrator. 

Another international literature award is Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.  This award was established by the Swedish government in 2002 in honor of Swedish children’s book writer Astrid Lindgren.  The award is given annually and may be award to writers, illustrators, narrators, and/or promoters of children’s literature. 

Another award, the Carnegie Medal is an award given annually in the United Kingdom. 

Ruby Holler is the 2003 Carnegie Medal winner written by Sharon Creech, who is also a Newbery Medal winner also.  Ruby Holler is a place that is beautiful, mysterious, and magical.  Tiller and Sairy, a peculiar older couple live there and two orphan twins are invited to stay with them.  The older couple and the orphan twins are very different people and it is unique to see them grow and become a family.  I found this book interesting and unlike any other book that I have read before.  I loved how this story takes the reader on an adventure and shows how people can grow, become a family, and love one another even though they are different from one another. 

The Canadian Association of Children's Librarians gives an award annually to an outstanding illustrator of a children’s book.  The award is called the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award.   The Award is given for books that are suitable for children up to age 12.  The illustrator must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to be eligible for the award. 

In 2003, Mélanie Watt’s Scaredy Squirrel won the award.  This is certainly a book to go “nuts” over!   This is actually the first book in a series of books including Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, and Scaredy Squirrel at Night.  After reading this one I will need to find the others to read as well.  This book is about a scared squirrel that is afraid to leave his nut tree.  He is so scared that he even has his own emergency kit.   The squirrel has an infectious personality that is very quirky and one that the reader can relate to.

Australia also has an award for illustrators of children’s books.  The Children’s Book of the Year Award: Picture Book is presented annually by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA).  In 2005, author/illustrator Alison Lester took the award for Are We There Yet?  A Journey Around Australia.  This is a picture book about a family with three children who take a trip around native Australia.  They visit Australia’s landmarks, wildlife, deserts, points of interest, and so much more in this three-month trip with their old camper being pulled behind the car.  This is a great book that gives readers a glimpse of what Australia is like.  The illustrations are interesting, vivid, and feel as if you are right there with them on their journey.