WA authors nab notables

Lily in the Mirror by Paula Hayes and Pandamonia by Chris Owen and Chris Nixon are both notable books in the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year Awards 2017.

Paula Hayes, whose book was made a notable in the younger readers category, said she would be celebrating by forcing someone else to wash and dry up.

‘Oh, and maybe with a glass of champers!’ joked Paula. ‘I think Lily struck a chord because as well as being a supernatural mystery, it is the story of multi-generational family life told with humour,’ said Paula.

Lily in the Mirror is an exciting story about a young girl who is called upon to fix a long-forgotten family mystery that is very close to home.

Lily in the Mirror and Pandamonia were chosen from some 443 entries. Artwork from Pandamonia had previously been longlisted in the inaugural Frankfurt Book Fair’s International Illustration Award, and the book will be exhibited at the Bologna Book Fair this April.

Illustrator Chris Nixon said it’s always a real thrill and an honour to be recognised on award lists.

‘It’s testament to the dedication and hard work that we’ve all put into the book and hopefully people can see how much we’ve enjoyed the process,’ said Chris.

Fremantle Press authors Dianne Wolfer, Dianne Touchell and illustrator Brian Simmonds also had books on the notable book list. In 1946 the CBCA established annual book awards to promote children’s books of high literary and artistic quality. They are thee longest running book awards in Australia. The shortlist will be announced on 28 March, with the winners being named during Book Week in August 2017. For the complete list go to the CBCA website.

Lily in the Mirror and Pandamonia are available in all good bookstores now.