Scotland’s children vote for their favourite books
Three Scottish children’s authors have received prizes at the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books, which are selected entirely by the votes of children and young people and supported by the Scottish Arts Council.
Thousands of young readers voted for their favourite books in three age group categories after reading the shortlists in schools, libraries and reading groups across the country in a reading campaign organised by the Scottish Book Trust.
On 18 November around 500 young voters attended the awards ceremony in Aberdeen which was hosted by broadcaster Kirsty Wark, with the assistance of pupils from Riverbank and Smithfield Primary Schools in Aberdeen and Lenzie Academy in East Dunbartonshire.
Each winning author was presented with a £3,000 award by Education Minister Maureen Watt who also presented awards for the winning book reviews in each age category and an additional creative writing prize for Gaelic-speaking children.
Voting for their favourite book is also popular with children; over 19,000 children took part in 2008, compared to just over 9,000 in 2007. The Awards help to encourage reading and literacy while celebrating Scotland’s literary talent. Additional support from Crerar Hotels was kindly gifted to specifically encourage reluctant readers and children with additional support needs.
The Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books were originally set up by The Scottish Arts Council in 1999 and are now managed by Scottish Book Trust in partnership with Scottish Arts Council. The Awards are also supported by Crerar Hotels, the Times Educational Supplement Scotland and Waterstone's.
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Visit Royal Mail Awards website for full details of the awards and all the shortlisted books. | |