LIANZA AND NZ BOOK AWARDS TRUST LAUNCH 2020 NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS BOOKS AND SHORTLIST
New Zealand libraries have an association with the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults that stretches back to 1945, and in 2020 they are still playing a central role in sharing the stories and talents of our finalists. This week they launch an innovative programme of Books Alive online events and virtual story times that will help the awards reach new audiences in the fortnight leading up to the 12 August winners’ announcements.
Compelled by Covid-19 circumstances to reimagine how we presented the annual Books Alive finalist author events this year, the NZCYA team approached LIANZA (the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa), who used funding provided by Copyright Licensing NZ to support school and public libraries to create and broadcast online events and readings.
From an author-illustrator challenge and high tea with fancy hats to a special affairs show, a mash-up with local celebrities, finalist interviews and Q&As, librarians across the country have created fun and interactive events for children, students, family and whānau to view online, even when the ‘awards season’ is over. “LIANZA is loving working with all the 2020 NZCYA finalists, who have been enthusiastically engaging with librarians, children and students from Invercargill to Dargaville,” says LIANZA executive director Ana Pickering.
Authors are enjoying the new way of interacting as well. Multiple NZCYA finalist and author/illustrator of the 2020 shortlisted picture book How Maui Slowed the Sun, Donovan Bixley says he sees tremendous value in the events being available online, putting his books in front of a broad audience throughout the country. “It’s the best reach I have ever had through the awards,” he says. Donovan’s Books Alive event with a group of students from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate in Auckland will go live on LIANZA’s YouTube channel on 3 August.
