Writers win children's stamp of approval

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 08:35

THREE Edinburgh authors have been named as winners of the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books.

John Fardell won the early years category for his first picture book, Manfred the Baddie; Lari Don won the younger readers category for First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts, and the older readers prize went to Keith Gray for Ostrich Boys.

The books were chosen by 15,000 children from across the country who voted for their favourite, and the authors received their awards at a ceremony at the Queen's Hall yesterday.

All nine nominated books were translated into Braille. Anna Gibbons, children's programme manager at the Scottish Book Trust, said: "These awards have been our biggest ever with nearly 30,000 children in every area of Scotland taking part, including reluctant readers and those with visual or physical impairments. Thousands of young readers have read, debated, reviewed and enjoyed a selection of the best Scottish children's books of the year."

Head of literature for the Scottish Arts Council, Gavin Wallace, added: "What a major success story these awards have become, thanks to the beautifully simple gesture of making Scotland's children the judges."