Shortlist announced for inaugural Ottaker's children's book prize

Ottakar’s today announced the shortlist for its new children’s writing prize, created to highlight less established authors in the genre. To be eligible writers need to have written 3 or fewer children’s book, and will not have yet had their talent fully recognised. Judges include Ottakar’s booksellers, Head Office Staff and children from local schools. No judging criteria have been released.

Wayne Winstone, Ottakar’s Director of Children’s and Non-Book said ”The calibre of entries was incredibly high, demonstrating children’s writing at its best and the need to spot new talent.”

The winner will be announced on January 7th, 2005

The shortlist:
Airborn, Kenneth Oppel, Hodder & Stoughton
The Cry of the Icemark, Stuart Hill, Chicken House
The Goosegirl, Shannon Hale, Bloomsbury
Jammy Dodgers on the Run, Bowering Sivers, Macmillan
The Merrybegot, Julie Hearn, Oxford University Press
Nelly the Monster Sitter, Kes Gray, Hodder & Stoughton
Olivia Kidney, Ellen Potter, Macmillan
Siberia, Ann Halam, Orion
Time Wreccas, Val Tyler, Puffin
Urchin of the Riding Stars, MI McAllister, Bloomsbury
The Whispering Road, Livi Michael, Puffin
The Whole Business of Kiffy and the Pitbull, Barry Jonsberg, Egmont

For more information contact jon.howells@ottakars.co.uk

Nominations for SLA Executive Committee

All members of SLA are invited to stand for election to the Executive Committee for the period June 2005 - June 2008. Closing date for nominations to reach the SLA office is January 17th.

If you are nominating someone else please make sure you get their agreement first!

For more details see:
School Library Association: details People

UK Kids Lit Quiz winner

Many congratulations to The Cherwell School, Oxford, on winning the UK final of this fun quiz, held in Newcastle yesterday, 6th December. The winners will compete in the world finals in New Zealand next June, and the prize includes a week's tour of South Island.

Jackie Atkinson, Librarian at The Cherwell School said this morning "They were a brilliant team, and worked so hard - they really deserved to win!"

The runners up were
2nd The Billericay School, Essex
3rd Kennilworth School, Coventry

Eileen Armstrong, SLA Vice Chair and UK organiser of the New Zealand based KLQ says "The atmosphere was electric and teams very very quick off the buzzers. Paul Bajoria and Nicola Morgan were the special guests presenting prizes alongside Elaine Williams from the TES, talking about their work, signing books and chatting to the teams. All three were astounded by the knowledge, speed and enthusiasm of the teams.

Special thanks to Simon & Schuster and A & C Black for the book prizes, the TES for the trophies, the Arts Centre staff for their helpful but unobtrusive support, the regional organisers for making it all happen and the students from Cramlington High School for welcoming guests and getting everything organised in time. "


TES KLQ page

Kids Lit Quiz

SLA Weekend Course 2005

Professor Ross Todd is confirmed as major Keynote Speaker for next year's course, Knowledge is Power: Creating the Information Literate School. Other speakers also confirmed include Sharon Markless, David Streatfield, Phil Bradley, Anne Harding and Geoff Dubber. Full detials and booking form available in February.

Professor Ross Todd
School Library Association: Weekend course