2009 Dundee Picture Book Award

The winning author/illustrator following the announcement of the 2009 Dundee Picture Book Awards.

Photograph courtesy of Evening Telegraph, Dundee

This year's winner is
'Fleabag'
written and illustrated by Helen Stephens,
published by Alison Green Books

At a ceremony held on 9th 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. Dundee 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 processs which involved 60 children from across the city reduced a long list of over 30 titles to just four. The three runners up this years are:

'To The Beach' written and illustrated by Thomas Docherty

Templar Publishing

'Tyrannosaurus Drip' by Julia Donaldson
and illustrated by David Roberts

Macmillan

'The Robot and the Bluebird'
written and illustrated by David Lucas

Andersen Press, London

Awards offer a winning prize of £1,000 and £250 to each of the 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, said:

“… Authors and illustrators come to Dundee for this award knowing that it is a city which celebrates reading and books and that its reputation for literary events is going from strength to strength…”

Moira Foster of the City Council’s Education Department, and Stuart Syme from Leisure and Communities, the organisers of the Award believe that 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.”