Winners Announced - Book of the Year Awards 2010

• Media Release - Book of the Year winners announced
• Poster - Book of the Year award winners 2010
• Member Resources- Book of the Year Awards - Media releases, promotional items
• Book of the Year Awards - Shortlisted Titles
• Past Award Winners- Titles 2003- 2008
  
  Speech Pathology Australia awarded the inaugural Book of the Year in 2003 and Council endorsed the award as an annual event.
  
  The intention of Book of the Year Awards is to:
• Enhance people’s awareness of the role speech pathologists play in literacy development.
• Gradually develop a nationally recognised pool of books that speech pathologists can recommend for the development of oral language and speech and/or sound awareness.
• Promote the Association with the Book of the Year award ceremony.

And the winners are…

Best Book for Language Development:
Young Children   2-5 years:

Our Daft Dog Danny by Pamela Allen

In the winter, we love to visit Uncle Peter and his dog Millie at the beach.

But the day we took our dog Danny with us, everything went wrong!

Until Toby had a good idea…

A series of minor disasters at the seaside threatens to spoil everyone’s fun.  But with a little ingenuity and a lot of excitement, the much-loved but daft dog Danny makes visiting the beach enjoyable again…

Our Daft Dog Danny has a wonderful pace and natural flow. There are lots of opportunities for children to pause, think, reflect and predict – to really engage with the story. The language is strong and introduces children to a range of important literacy skills like questions, commands, different verb forms and tenses.

Pamela Allen makes effective use of alliteration and descriptive language, presenting characters and a story everyone can relate, all enhanced by the delightfully captivating and colourful illustrations.

 (Penguin Group Australia)

Best Book for Language Development:
Lower Primary   5-8 years

Isabella’s Garden by Glenda Millard & Rebecca Cool

This is the story of Isabella’s garden.

And what happens when a small seed is planted…

Isabella’s Garden tells the tale of growth and seasonal change, beginning and ending with ‘the seeds that slept in the soil all dark and deep’ and how they bloom and flourish and ultimately lead to new growth. Told with great warmth, this is a comforting story about the cycle of life in its many forms.

A wonderful way of arousing interest in the surrounding natural world, Isabella’s Garden has a deep rhythm and prose that encourages the young reader to become involved in, and engage with, the story. Imaginative imagery and useful grammatical structures including metaphoric and descriptive language, synonyms, rhyme and alliteration all assist language and literacy skills in children of this age.

Isabella’s Garden’s engaging sense of repetition and rhythm will appeal to children to read aloud time and again and is a thoroughly entertaining read!

(Walker Books Australia)

Best Book for Language Development:
Upper Primary   8-12 years

Pearl Verses the World by Sally Murphy

My class is made up of groups.

I am in a group of one.

A poignant story about finding your place, Pearl Verses the World follows a girl dealing with isolation at school and her grandma’s illness at home.

Sally Murphy has created an honest, engaging and accessible character in Pearl. Her emotions are portrayed precisely in free verse and addresses themes pertinent to children of this age – identity and inclusion, grief and loss, dementia and death. It encourages shared reading classroom and the issues tackled in the story will resonate with readers as things they have faced in their own lives

Pearl Verses the World provides an opportunity for parents, teachers and other carers to discuss emotional issues, extend understanding of social issues and increase vocabulary and expressive language skills – all contained in one outstanding book.

Walker Books Australia

About Book of the Year Awards

Each year, Speech Pathology Australia awards three Australian authors the “Best Book for Language Development” in the categories – Young Children, Lower Primary and Upper Primary.  

Each award is based on the book’s appeal to children, interactive quality and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in communication and literacy development.

Shortlisted Books 2010 – Young Children

Our Daft Dog Danny                                         Pamela Allen

In the winter, we love to visit Uncle Peter and his dog Millie at the beach.  But the day we took our dog Danny with us, everything went wrong! Until Toby had a good idea…

Pamela Allen’s newest title is a triumph of narrative delight. The straightforward text and lively, accessible illustrations depict the relationships between the characters beautifully and will bring a smile to young listeners and their adult readers. This simple redemptive book will capture the hearts and minds of many a youngster, especially those who live with an energetic dog.

Penguin Group (Australia)

There’s a Goat in my Coat                               Rosemary Milne & Andrew McLean

There’s a Goat in my Coat is a fun book for counting, hopping, running, rolling, wriggling, giggling and dancing. Can you do the Jelly Belly Shakes? Are you a Tip Top Dancer?

This charming collection of poems and rhymes is beautifully illustrated by one of Australia’s favourite illustrators, Andrew McLean. The rhymes range in theme, language complexity and sophistication, as well as sound appeal – great to read aloud boisterously or act out! This is a thoroughly delightful book that engages children to listen to the way words go together in funny, thoughtful and enticing ways.

Allen & Unwin

10 Little Hermit Crabs                                       Lee Fox & Shane McG

10 little hermit crabs scuttle to the beach. Down swoops a seagull. Screech! Screech! Screech! A playful counting book starring 10 little hermit crabs with a knock for getting into trouble. Can you count them all?

The text is dazzlingly catchy, full of action and uses a wonderful variety of unfamiliar verbs - all in verse! This book will have strong appeal to proficient language users in the 3-5 years age range, while also appealing to less able users on a visual level. The gentle rhyme and likeable hermit crabs gives a feeling of reassurance!             Allen & Unwin

Bed Tails                                                            Meredith Costain & Mitch Vane

There are two in the bed… Mum and Dad are slumbering, snoring and rumbling, tucked up cosily and peaceful in bed… Until a scary storm outside brings everyone into Mum and Dad’s bed, one by one. Will they ever get a good night’s sleep?

This book will make you laugh out loud! It’s full of lively rhyming and rhythmic words that shout out to you. Young children will demand to hear it read over and over again - the text jumps out and engages children who enjoy noisy books, who can’t attend for long, who need a high level of action to stay connected. It’s a bridge to moving on to books that demand a higher level of listening skill.

Penguin Group (Australia)

Look see, look at me!                                       Leonie Norrington and Dee Huxley

Leonie and Dee visited three northern communities, Wugularr, Barunga and Manyalalluk, to workshop words and drawings for this wonderful celebration of childhood and community life.

This visually exuberant book tells the tale of a three year old trickster living in an indigenous community in the far north of Australia. This book encourages people of all ages to talk about things they do, regardless of where they live, and is a celebration of life in an indigenous community. It’s a wonderfully positive portrayal of real life and relationships between young children and their elders.

Allen & Unwin

Stuck!                                                                Charlotte Calder & Mark Jackson

No matter what Charlie and the gang tried, that kite just would not budge…

This story is highly accessible and great for children with language difficulty – its strength lies in its narrative and theme. Enjoy!

Walker Books Australia

Grandpa Baby                                            Margaret Wild,  illustrated by Deborah Niland

While Mum and Dad are working, Grandpa looks after Georgie. They read stories, plant flowers and play dress-ups. One day, Georgie says, ‘Today I’m big and you’re a baby. Okay?’ ‘Okay,’ says Grandpa Baby. What will Georgie and Grandpa Baby get up to?

This warm, funny book engages young children by encouraging them to identify with the baby character, while the text is action based and moves at a good pace. There is subtle humour to appeals to the adult reader, as well as the child, as do themes of co-operation, adaptability and caring. This is a book to challenge a young child to consider things from another person’s perspective.

Penguin Group (Australia)

There Was an Old Sailor                                   Claire Saxby & Cassandra Allen

There was an old sailor who swallowed a krill, I don’t know why he swallowed that krill – it’ll make him ill… A nautical take on a much-loved rhyme…

This book is useful when engaging children’s listening skills through the very regular rhyming pattern of the text, and is a great starting point to write your own tale in the same way! The illustrations are oversized and contrast brilliantly to each other in form and colour, while the sea creatures are realistic and the sea quite magical. This book is appealing and calls for a lot of exploration through language.

Walker Books

I Spy Dad!                                                    Janeen Brian, illustrated by Chantal Stewart

A little girl searches for her father. She spies a ‘mowing dad’, a ‘rowing dad’, a ‘reading dad’ and a ‘weeding dad’, but where is her Dad? A charmingly playful story full of rollicking fun and humour.

A racy book whose fun is in listening to the rhyming text.  Great as part of a theme about Dads in the early childhood curriculum and a good base for older children to jump into writing.

New Frontier Publishing

Mannie and the Long Brave Day                      Martine Murray & Sally Rippin

Mannie is going on an adventure. She’s taking Lilliput and Strawberry Luca. And she hasn’t forgotten her special box of secret things, just in case the adventure gets adventurous…

The charming illustrations and imaginative “we’re going on a bear hunt” tale draws the reader into an imaginary journey with all the language that it involves. A great way to explore of the language of feelings with three very sweet characters.

Allen & Unwin

Shortlisted Books 2010 - Lower Primary

Tashi and the Golem                 Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg & Kim Gamble

Tashi and his friends use clay and magic to make a golem who will stand up to the big bully called Bang Bang, but will their Golem obey them? And can they rescue Little Sister when Bang Bang’s trouble making brother gives her to the River Pirate? Sometimes there’s no time to think – Tashi just has to act fast!

The clever language of this page turning narrative evokes feelings using fabulously descriptive language, discussed in age-appropriate terms. Plenty of easy vocabulary to encourage emerging readers, as well as a great tool to increase and consolidate.

Allen & Unwin

Star Jumps                                Lorraine Marwood

All it takes is a star jump. A high, wide star jump to see beyond the longest drought Ruby’s family has ever known… Life on a farm can be tough, especially in the middle of a long drought. But the spirited Ruby won’t let the drought get her down. No, Ruby isn’t that easily deterred. Ruby is going to help save the farm in her own small way.

The vocabulary and narrative of this story gently address the difficulties of rural life during a drought. The language and style reflect the emotion of story with gentle humour that keeps in mind the reader’s age. A gem – I’m rushing to the store to buy my own copy!

Walker Books Australia

The Hero of Little Street           Gregory Rogers

Escaping from a gang of bullies, our Boy slips into a grand old gallery – the perfect hiding place, full of mystery and treasures. Enchanted by the magic of painting and befriended by a mischievous dog, the Boy ventures into the world of a famous Vermeer painting – and he and his new friend are transported to Little Street, Delft in seventeenth-century Holland…

A wordless picture book, the Hero of Little Street allows the story to be created and re-lived over and over again, growing with the reader as new concepts and vocabulary are added to the story each time it is read. Magical!

Allen & Unwin

Running with the Horses                 Alison Lester

A young girl’s faith in an extraordinary old horse makes this an unforgettable story of courage, adventure and friendship.

An adventure story highlighting courage, faith and friendship, Running with Horses is gently and exquisitely told, highlighting inter-family roles and relationships. This book has many layers and is a true work of art!

Penguin Group (Australia)

Sam’s Fishing Adventure         Monique Russell

Go on a fishing with 10 year-old Sam from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait! A fishing trip is a fun outing for Sam’s whole family.

The illustrations are perfect to help engage emerging readers, while the familiar topic means it is easy to relate to and fun to read!

Black Ink Press

Harry and Hopper                     Margaret Wild & Freya Blackwood

Harry and his dog Hopper have done everything together, ever since Hopper was a jumpy little puppy. But one day the unthinkable happens. When Harry comes home from school, Hopper isn’t there to greet him. Hopper will never be there again, but Harry is not ready to let him go…

Harry and Hopper is a gift from Margaret Wild to all those young children and anyone who have suffered grief in loss of loved one. The language is masterful – ‘as wispy as winter fog’ ….beautiful! The illustrations wordlessly convey the stages of grief and Harry’s dad’s wisdom - a gem for younger readers.

( Please note that the material displayed is protected by copyright and therefore any reproduction of this material is illegal unless permission is sought in writing from Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd)

Omnibus Books

The Toymaker and the Bird      Pamela Allen

In a little house in a dark forest, a toymaker lives all alone. One day, a small brown bird hears the magic sounds of the toymaker’s violin, and flies down to him.  Together they make music so enchanting that even the trees shiver and murmur in wonder. But as the seasons change, the little bird dreams of the wide open sky and a life beyond the tops of the trees…

The construction, rhythm and vocabulary used in this story are masterful. The language is rich and the message worthy, something both the reader and listener will enjoy.

Penguin Publishing Australia

Belmont and the Dragon          Mike Zarb & Robin Gold

Belmont and the Dragon – the wand and the sword. Huge merit in the interesting use of language - eg. ‘chopped liver on pumpernickel’ - fast paced and funny, this adventure story engages and maintains the interest of reluctant and early readers.

Random House            

To the Top End                         Roland Harvey

HOORAY! For the bestest holiday in the whole world. We started in the wonderful wilds of Tassie then braved the big waves of Bass Strait in a tiny ferry, and then travelled all the way to the very tip of the Top End. On the way we saw the most AMAZING places, even a whole town underground!

Lots of interesting word shapes of words and lovely adverbs to help develop contextual language (eg. ‘a hawk swooped’; ‘a soaring wedgetail’). The use of more unconventional text and layout as well as the illustrations encourages knowledge of Australian flora, fauna and geography.

 Allen & Unwin

Isabella’s Garden                      Glenda Millard & Rebecca Cool

This is the story of Isabella’s garden. And what happens when a small seed is planted…

Isabella’s Garden is an absolute gem – the repetitive rhythm and the brilliance of the alliterative language is matched only by the visual brilliance of the book. Great for reading to preps as well as independent reading for children aged between 7 and 8. Great to read together and keep an eye out for the items mentioned in the text!

Walker Books Australia

Wombat and Fox: Thrillseekers             Terry Denton

Wombat and Fox are thrillseekers. Wombat loves the buzz of jumping off the incredibly high high-diving tower. And riding the heart-stopping roller-coaster. Or doing one of the 101 things on his list of wild and dangerous deeds. Wombat and Fox live to live on THE EDGE!

The slapstick text and cartoon style of this book are great ways to reach reluctant or developing readers. A book to have fun with!

Allen & Unwin

Shortlisted Books 2010 - Upper Primary Category

Toppling                                                            Sally Murphy, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

“Dominic Fraser likes footy and soccer and cricket. He has a dog named Butch and five goldfish but no brothers or sisters. He’s funny and loyal and he’s my best mate.” But when John’s friend Dominic becomes ill, John’s world begins to topple.

The easy flowing verse digs beneath the surface, allowing Toppling to be the perfect vehicle to illuminate the story of our own lives. We are inextricably intertwined, even to those we don’t get along with. Simple vocab, clear descriptions and realistic settings crack open this difficult topic for kids.

Walker Books Australia

Don’t Breathe a Word                           Marianne Musgrove

“I, Mackenzie Elizabeth Carew, do solemnly swear never to communicate anything about what happened tonight.” That’s what I promised my sister Tahlia, and I’ve tried my best to keep that promise. It’s hard, though. Grandpa is acting so strangely since his accident. I’m sure Mrs B. suspects something, and Mahesh must think I’m weird for avoiding him. My best friend Annie is too busy hanging out with Regan and Tegan to notice. But someone will find out if we’re not super careful. It’s lucky that Tahlia has a plan…

This fast-paced tale about the tangle a secret can get you in is so much more that it seems. Senile Dementia begins in waves, but can grow to tsunami strength in no time at all. Other difficult issues like overcoming phobias, teenaged absences and excuses are also tackled. Kenzie is left holding the fort. Can she survive and keep her promise?                                       Random House Australia

A Croc Called Capone                          Barry Jonsberg

Blacky the Farting Dog has a mission that Marcus and Dylan can’t refuse. Trouble is, this mission involves a monstrous saltwater crocodile who would much rather chomp on a human for dinner than have a civilised conversation…

A hilarious adventure into Marcus’ world, where Rose, his hormonal sister is perfect at everything (especially at making her little brother’s life a misery). Add Marcus’ best friend who has all the characteristics of severe attention deficit and/or oppositional defiance syndrome, and a tiny farting dog only Marcus can hear and the fun begins. A two week holiday in the Northern territory brings a family of protesting crocodiles and a gang of crocodile hunters into the mix. Anything can happen and it does.

Allen & Unwin

Pearl Verses the World                         Sally Murphy, illustrated by Heather Potter

“My class is made up of groups. I am in a group of one.” But Pearl’s world is changing. A poignant story about finding your place.

Another verse novel that tackles a difficult subject - when Grandma dies, Pearl’s world splinters. She feels disconnected from everyone and everything. The pain of loss cuts deep, but recovery does come. This priceless treasure makes it possible for children to go where many adults struggle – to face their grief and then begin the process of recovery. Beautiful insights and glimmers of hope even when the tears fall heaviest.

Walker Books Australia

Samurai Kids                                         Sandy Fussell, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

The White Temple is under threat. Sensei and the Little Cockroaches must embark on a perilous journey across the Sea of Japan to help the Shaolin monks. But an even greater danger awaits them in China…

A fast paced action adventure threaded with humour and ageless wisdom. Who ever heard of a Samurai warrior that doesn’t need a sword? Can problems be solved more easily than with a fist? The elderly Sensei’s wisdom runs deep, as does his absolute faith in his students, even though they each lack something (an arm, a leg, sight, even the will to fight).

Walker Books Australia

Motor Mouth                                         Sherryl Clark

“I love cars – big, small, V8s, classics. One day I’ll be a mechanic on a race team.” Since Chris lost his best mate, Dave, cars are all he really cares about. Then Josh Carter moves to town. His dad is a famous racing car driver and everyone wants to be Josh’s friend. But as Chris soon discovers, Josh is a bit of a motor mouth and that’s where the trouble begins…

A quick paced verse novel especially for boys, but with universal appeal. Just because your best friend is killed in a car accident doesn’t mean you can miss out on school. Everything is weird without Dominic but when a new boy joins the class, it causes internal conflict for Chris. He doesn’t want to be disloyal to his dead friend, but he doesn’t want to be alone either. Then there’s the issue of the new friend’s bad habits. The tale is one of self discovery so he can help a friend learn more than one truth. 

                                                                                                                                                                 Penguin Group (Australia)

The Toilet Kid                                        Pat Flynn, illustrated by Tom Jellet

Matt – a.k.a. The Tuckshop Kids – is back! And he’s smaller than ever! He’s lost weight, is sort-of enjoying exercise and is going out with the perfect girl, Kayla, who loves food as much as he does. He can hardly believe his luck. But when Matt uncovers Kayla’s secret, he realises that no one is perfect and sometimes problems can take on a life of their own…

Matt is a loveable guy who has done a lot to overcome his weight problem.  It hasn’t taken away his passion for food, though. He has a girlfriend and is making friends through exercise, but something isn’t quite right. Lacking self esteem, he constantly expects his super fit, gorgeous girlfriend to dump him. He’s picked up on the right vibes, but the problems are not Matt’s. This un-put-down-able tale leads to kids understanding bulimia and the trials of losing weight. Despite the weighty topics (no pun intended) the characters are funny and real.

University of Queensland Press

The Slightly Skewed Life of Toby Chrysler     Paul Collins

Toby’s mum has been missing for more than a month. His new friend, Ginger, has lost her dad. So how can an abandoned red shoe, an unusual plan and map coordinates help them in their search for their parents? And why is everyone looking for Toby?

Toby’s a bit different. He takes things literally and can’t read people’s facial expressions or body language. His best mate Milo’s malapropisms fill their world with weird wisdom. Add a missing mother, a red shoe and a bunch of numbers and you have the ingredients for a quirky tale. When Toby meets a new friend with a ferocious dog and a Dad who has also disappeared, mayhem and misadventures ensue, but everything is not quite as it seems. 

Celapene Press

Blacky Blasts Back                               Barry Jonsberg

Blacky the Farting Dog is back, smellier than ever, and he’s got a new mission for Marcus and Dyl: track down the very last Tassie tiger and save it from extinction. Simple, really. But throw in some bumbling thylacine hunters, a bully out to get you, a hairy Scotsman on your trail, and anything can – and will – happen. Especially as time is running out…

Marcus and his farting dog Blacky cut loose on another funny adventure! Their mission is to save the last Tassie Tiger from extinction, but they have to make it past the local bully, a hairy Scotsman and some bumbling thylacine hunters. Add Blacky’s poisonous pongs and ability to talk to animals and you have a page turner that keeps the reader snorting with delight.

Allen & Unwin

Edsel Grizzler Book 1: Voyage to Verdana      James Roy

When Edsel takes an unexpected voyage to a parallel dimension, Verdana, his life is transformed overnight. Suddenly, his over-protective parents are nowhere to be seen and rules are a thing of the past. Or so he thinks. Everything seems perfect, but everything is not what is seems. Edsel needs to decide between the world he knows and being forever young in a place forever fun … before it’s too late.

Edsel’s always felt different. He’s nothing like his over protective parents. He yearns for adventure while they try to limit his freedom at every step - embarrassingly so. He buys broken gadgets at the corner shop, fixes them up and sells at a profit, and then heads back to the corner shop for more gadgets. Only the giant egg he recreates offers more than he bargained for. He is given a few hours to decide: Stay in a new unimaginably fun world and never see his parents again or go home. Things are not as they seem.

University of Queensland Press

Cicada Summer                                                            Kate Constable

When Eloise meets Anna, the summerhouse girl, she thinks she has travelled back in time. Marooned in the country with her grandmother, Eloise is in desperate need of a friend. But she doesn’t realise how important she and Anna will become to each other by the end of their cicada summer.

A gently unfolding tale of loss, hope and time travel, it is easy to become hypnotised by the possibilities of what can happen. People shut down when life gets hard, but they do it in different ways - some stop talking, others fold inwards. Still others become frenetically busy. Can grief be resolved? Perhaps when you least expect it.

Allen & Unwin

Tracey Binns is Lost                                         Sherryl Clark, illustrated by Alexis Apfelbaum

Tracey’s school has started a new healthy-eating and exercise program and the kids are not happy. They’re even less happy when Mr Gunning, their dreaded PE teacher, announces that he is taking the Grade Six students on a bush survival and fitness camp. Facing the pitch dark and the strange calls of the wild is not Tracey’s idea of fun. But all this looks like a walk in the park when they become lost on a long day’s march…

Adults want kids to eat healthy foods and live super fit lives, but Tracey’s school goes overboard. The long awaited school camp is transformed into an episode from Survivor – literally. Luckily, Tracey’s dad has taught her a few survival tricks beforehand, but will these be enough when things go wrong? You’ll find it hard to put Tracey Binns down until the story is complete – you’ll just have to see what will happen next! Be prepared - everything is not as it seems…

University of Queensland Press

 Criteria used to shortlist books
 Criteria used to judge books
 Previous Winners

Nominations have CLOSED for 2010

Hall of Fame Children's Language and Literacy Award

A Hall of Fame award - ‘Children’s Language and Literacy Award’ may also be presented if there is an outstanding candidate nominated; one who has made a significant and sustained contribution to Australian children’s language and literature.

Speech Pathology Australia is calling for members to nominate any children’s author who satisfies all the eligibility criteria listed below and who you feel would be worthy of such recognition.

• The author must be Australian or reside permanently in Australia
• The author must have published a significant number of books for children over a 10-year period or more
• The books published by this author are, or have been, readily available in Australia
• The books published by this author currently retail, or would have sold for no more than $30.00
• The books published by this author must facilitate interaction and communication
• The books published by this author have quality graphics, design and production

Nominations will be reviewed against criteria developed by members of the Public Affairs portfolio. A panel of judges will determine the award recipient using these criteria.  

Book of the Year Awards 2009

Book of the Year Awards 2008

Book of the Year Awards 2007

Book of the Year Awards 2006

Book of the Year Awards 2005

Book of the Year Awards 2004

Book of the Year Awards 2003