Warwickshire News Mine

An experiment using OpenCalais and Google Maps to tag news stories

County’s young readers vote for the best

Primary school pupils from across Warwickshire were joined by the nationally acclaimed poet and former Children’s Laureate, Tony Mitton, when they voted for the illustrated story that they felt should win one of Britain’s most distinguished book prizes.

The aspiring book judges gathered at a special ceremony in Leamington to vote for their favourite book from the Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist, thanks to Warwickshire County Council’s Schools Library Service. The children voted for Varmints by Marc Craste.

More than 100 pupils from 12 Warwickshire schools have been taking part in the Greenaway shadowing scheme in which primary school children read the eight books on the shortlist and decide which title they think is the best in terms of illustration.

Warwickshire Schools Library Service coordinates the shadowing scheme in local schools and organised the special event at Milverton Primary School to coincide with the national result which was announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in Central London. The national winner was ‘Harris Finds His Feet’ by Catherine Rayner, which is a warm tale of independence with beautifully evocative artwork.

Celia Merriman, Manager of Services to Schools for Warwickshire Library and Information Service, said: "We are delighted to be involved in the Greenaway shadowing scheme which encourages reading outside of the curriculum. With the support of teachers and librarians, our young book judges are being introduced to top quality writing and illustration. The process undoubtedly fires their imagination while helping to develop literacy and critical skills.”

The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. It is named after the popular nineteenth century artist known for her fine children’s illustrations and designs. First won by Edward Ardizzone in 1956, the Medal has been awarded in more recent years to such famous names as Shirley Hughes, Helen Oxenbury, Janet Ahlberg and Lauren Child.

The shortlist for the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal demonstrates that picture books are not just for the youngest children but can entertain and enchant all age-groups.

The eight shortlisted books transport young readers on voyages of discovery whether across dangerous seas as with Angela Barrett’s illustrations for “The Snow Goose”, or Thomas Docherty’s “Little Boat”; up to the top of high mountains with Harris, Catherine Rayner’s intrepid young hare; to the moon and back in Oliver Jeffers’ “The Way Back Home” and in search of the time and space to stop, think and plant the seeds of change in Marc Craste’s “Varmints”. Meanwhile, Will puts an injured pigeon on the road to recovery in Bob Graham’s “How To Heal a Broken Wing”, whilst in Chris Wormell’s “Molly and the Night Monster”, Molly discovers that the bedtime darkness is not as scary a place as she thought. Finally Dave McKean’s illustrations for “The Savage” vividly chart a healing journey deep into one boy’s imagination.