dreamscape where the boundaries between urban and wildlife are close to collapse, Shaun Tan conveys the tangled, intimate relationship between humans and animals with breath- taking technique and awe-inspiring invention. Double page spreads of oil on canvas give pause for necessary reflection and contemplation. Never have the bonds between us and the beautiful creatures we share the earth with been so exquisitely rendered with such prescience. The judging panel were moved, amused and astonished by the artistry and imagination of a stunning book that should be widely shared and celebrated.”
Reclaiming our cities Australian Shaun Tan has worked as a concept artist on Disney’s WALL-E, and in 2011 he directed The Lost Thing, which won the Academy Award for the Best Animated Short. Tales from the Inner City is the twelfth time a title published by Walker books has won the Kate Greenaway Medal. Shaun said: “I am surprised, delighted and then deeply honoured – what a wonderful thing to be! I am especially thrilled to receive the Kate Greenaway Medal in the fine company of so many brilliant artists and authors, many of whom inspired my own love of illustrated stories as a young West Australian scribbler. “Tales from the Inner City is a strange book for strange times, suggesting that human frailty might well find expression in dreams of tigers, bears, frogs and lungfish reclaiming our cities. To know that I am not alone in enjoying such speculation – maybe even a bit too much – is no small thing. It is profoundly consoling, to feel part of a larger conversation about our relationship to this planet, particularly with younger readers, in whose imagination the future is already taking shape.”
Anthony McGowan’s Lark is the
final instalment in his series of novellas set in Yorkshire. It is the
first win for a book from independent publisher Barrington Stoke. Anthony said: “Every writer for young people dreams of winning the Carnegie Medal. Its incredible history, the roll call of the great writers who have won it and the rigour of the selection process, makes this the greatest book prize in the world. It is also a magnificent way of connecting with readers. The hundreds of shadowing groups in schools and libraries around the country provide that one thing that writers cannot do without: a living, arguing, debating, biscuit-munching population of brilliant readers!
Simple adventure “On one level, Lark is a simple adventure story. Two woefully ill- equipped teenage boys and their old Jack Russell terrier go for a walk on the North Yorkshire Moors. A blizzard descends and their fun day out, their ‘lark’ turns into a desperate battle for survival. On another level, the book is about the unshakable love between two brothers, one of them with special needs, after enduring family break-up, poverty, bullying and cruelty. Lark is also a story about the power of stories and the way they weave through our lives. The book ends with the words ‘Tell me a story,’ and with those words we are led back again to the beginning.”
The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals are the oldest UK awards for children’s and young people’s books, having been established in 1936 and 1955 respectively. The awards are unique in that they are nominated by librarians and judged by librarians working with children and young people. Both of this year’s medal winners will receive £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice, a specially commissioned golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize.
Challenging times Chair of judges Julia said: “During challenging times, librarians believe books for children and young people are more important than ever. The best books provide adventure, solace, inspiration, comfort, escape, rich experiences and sheer enjoyment; they are a port in a storm, a reflective mirror and an entry to new worlds. In an unprecedented year for all of us, we are delighted to reveal the two extraordinary winners of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals that highlight our connection and co- dependency with the natural world.” The awards also run a Shadowing scheme with thousands of young people taking part and choosing their own winners, in the Shadowers’ Choice Awards. This year’s shadowing scheme has been extended because of the school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, despite the lockdown, children will still be able to take part and into the autumn term and vote for their winners, who will be revealed on 9 October, during Libraries Week.
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www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk l
www.librariesweek.org.uk
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