By Sophia Whitfield
This week children around the country will be treated to visits from children’s authors to celebrate Children’s Book Week.
With technology taking over the lives of our children, reading seems to have been swept under the carpet. Initiatives such as The National Year of Reading have this year encouraged all aspects of reading.
It seems parents need to be motivated to introduce books to young children. However as children hit the tween years they begin to make choices for themselves.
The tween market remains strong. Books that develop a cult following among tween readers have to be read and catapult their authors into stardom. Five authors of such books appeared in the recent Forbes top 15 highest earning authors, JK Rowling for Harry Potter, Suzanne Collins for Huger Games and Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series Rick Riordan for the Percy Jackson series and Jeff Kinney for the Wimpy Kid series. All are series, have had a cult following and have been made into films.
The 10+ market continues to flourish. Children are just beginning to assert themselves, but at the same time feel the need to follow others. If one book is being recommended through word of mouth, it spreads quickly and everyone in the class will want to read the book.
This does not work for the younger age group where parental advice and guidance is paramount in encouraging a child to read independently.
On Friday the Children’s Book Council announced the winners of the CBCA awards. Among this list parents will find beautiful and entertaining books to share with their children. If your child is involved in a book parade this week perhaps you will find some inspiration from the award winners.
Older Readers Book of the Year 2012
The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner
Younger Readers Book of the Year 2012
Crow Country by Kate Constable
Early Childhood Book of the Year
The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland, illustrated by Freya Blackwood
Picture Book of the Year 2012
A Bus called Heaven by Bob Graham
Eve Pownall Book of the Year 2012
One small island: the story of Macquarie Island by Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch
The entire list, including Honour books are listed here.
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