WA author shortlisted (twice) for Book of the Year
Albany-based author Dianne Wolfer was shortlisted twice today for the 2014 Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year Awards.
Light Horse Boy illustrated by Brian Simmonds was shortlisted in the Younger Readers category while Granny Grommet and Me illustrated by Karen Blair got a gong in the Early Readers category. Both books feature strong local Western Australian themes.
Wolfer said making the list was a huge confidence boost for her guest appearance at the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s national conference in May.
’I am thrilled because I’ve been workshopping Light Horse Boy in schools for a year now and the book is getting such a good response from teachers and students, boys especially. It’s lovely to know you have a book that works,’ said Wolfer.
Wolfer said Jim and Charlie’s story helps bring aspects of Australia’s desert campaign to life. She said students particularly loved learning about the animals that went to war.
’ Light Horse Boy and Lighthouse Girl are about team effort. Brian Simmonds is fabulous and Fremantle Press is innovative in utilising new techniques and approaches in storytelling for young readers,’ said Wolfer.
Fremantle Press children’s publisher Cate Sutherland said she was extremely proud to see Dianne Wolfer’s and co-creator Brian Simmonds’ names on the list.
‘Fremantle Press has had a long and happy relationship with Dianne for over a decade. She’s an indefatigable author, generous with her peers and a deserving recipient of this honour,’ said Sutherland.
‘When I took Brian’s life drawing class I had no idea I was about to discover such a talented illustrator and collaborator,’ said Sutherland.
Eight Western Australian authors and illustrators made the shortlist this year with works by Danny Parker, Mark Greenwood, Chris Nixon, Shaun Tan and Matt Ottley joining those by Wolfer, Blair and Simmonds.
Light Horse Boy is available in all good bookstores, from education suppliers and online.
Dianne Wolfer will be at the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s national conference in Canberra on 16—18 May 2014.
