Fremantle Press wins back-to-back Crystal Kites
Ten Tiny Things by Meg McKinlay and Kyle Hughes-Odgers became the second Fremantle Press book in consecutive years to win an international Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Member Choice Award today.
Ten Tiny Things was one of 15 divisional winners chosen from the Society’s 70 regions worldwide.
Meg McKinlay said there was a wealth of highly esteemed, award-winning authors in the Australia / New Zealand division so it was a real honour to have the book acknowledged.
‘SCBWI is an organisation that has meant a lot to me over the years, both personally and professionally … it’s a really lovely thing to have my work awarded by this wonderful community,’ said McKinlay.
Kyle Hughes-Odgers, taking time out from preparing for a solo exhibition in Amsterdam, said he was surprised to be recognised by his peers for his first picture book.
‘As a child, illustrating a children’s book was a dream project so to be recognised by people in the industry on my first attempt is very humbling,’ said Hughes-Odgers.
Both McKinlay and Hughes-Odgers said Ten Tiny Things was a book whose time was now.
‘At its core, Ten Tiny Things is a book about living slowly, and I think that’s a very simple idea which has a powerful resonance at the moment,’ said McKinlay.
‘I also think Kyle’s illustrations are perfect for the book, and are utterly striking, really unlike anything else that’s around,’ said McKinlay.
The Crystal Kite Award is administered by the international Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is the only peer-assessed award in publishing for young readers. Members vote for the book they feel most represents excellence in children’s literature.
The Last Viking by Norman Jorgensen and James Foley won the 2012 Crystal Kite Award in the Australia / New Zealand division.
Ten Tiny Things and The Last Viking are available in all good bookstores and online at fremantlepress.com.au
For more information on the Crystal Kite Awards go to http://www.scbwi.org
