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	City of Discovery Picture Book Award

Photograph courtesy of Foto-Press

The winning author and illustrator following the announcement of the 2008 Dundee City of Discovery Picture Book Awards.

This year’s winner is Who Are You, Stripey Horse? written by Jim Helmore, illustrated by Karen Wall and published by Egmont.

At a ceremony held on 17^th June 500 of the children who had participated in the process of judging and voting for the winning picture book had the opportunity to see and listen to all the authors and illustrators who had given them so much pleasure over the last couple of months.

The innovative literary award, which carries a significant cash prize, aims to recognise excellence in storytelling for children as well as encouraging youngsters to read. The City of Discovery Picture Book Award joins the Dundee International Book Prize as one of the major literary prizes on offer.

The structure and educational impact of this project is being recognised throughout the UK. Organisers have received various enquiries about the initiative from authorities and organisations across the country.

A short-listing process which involved children 60 children from across the City, reduced a long list of over 30 titles to just four. The three runners up this year are:

Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee Boxer Books

The Night the Lights Went Out by Anna Perera and illustrated by Carl Pearce Tamarind

Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner Little Tiger Press

Funding from the City of Discovery Campaign, has made it possible for the awards to offer a winning prize of £1,000 and £200 to each of the three runners-up. Each short-listed author and illustrator also received a limited edition comic figure, donated by D.C. Thomson Ltd.

Lord Provost John Letford, Chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign said:

“…It is encouraging to hear what a success the City of Discovery Picture Book Awards have been. A winner has been chosen following the judging process but that process centred round the children who have made the awards their own. All of the short-listed books are of the highest quality…”

“…Throughout the process the primary six children have worked hard to great effect organising voting, displays, filming and photography, and of course, reading the books to the primary ones…”

“…The City of Discovery Picture Book Award is another demonstration of the city’s prowess in the literary world, emphasising the city's innovative and progressive stature…”

Moira Foster of the City Council’s Education Department, and Stuart Syme from Leisure and Communities, the organisers of the Award believe that so much has been gained by all involved in Picture Book Awards. They said, “The children have really taken ownership of the awards. As well as learning more about the picture book genre, the awards have also been a facilitator for personal and social development in the older children – bringing out maturity and a sense of responsibility when dealing with the younger children.”