Here Lies Arthur (Philip Reeve, Scholastic) and Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears (Emily Gravett, Macmillan) have won this year's CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, respectively.

The Carnegie Medal was established by the UK's Library Association in 1936, and is annually awarded to the writer of an outstanding book for children. The winner receives a golden medal and £500 (AU$1035) worth of books to donate to a library of their choice.

‘Here Lies Arthur is an outstanding book, and deserving winner,' says Tricia Adams, chair of the judging panel, which consists of 12 librarians. ‘Reeve's is a consistent story-telling voice that brings us a subtle and credible retelling of the King Arthur myth. It is both a page-turning adventure story and a clever historical novel. It also has clear political resonance for our times, demonstrating humanity's need to sustain hope and optimism, and our tendency to favour myth over reality to achieve that end.'

Also established by the Library Association, but in 1955, the Kate Greenaway Medal is £500 (AU$1035) for distinguished illustration in a children's book. The winner also receives a medal and £500 (AU$1035) worth of books to donate to a library of their choice. Since 2000, the winner is also awarded the £5000 (AU$10,360) Colin Mears Award.

It is not the first time Gravett has won the award, having taken it home for her debut picture book Wolves (Macmillan) in 2005. She has also been shortlisted in intervening years.

Tricia Adams, chair of the CILIP Kate Greenaway judging panel comments: ‘Every time you read Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears you discover something new: there's so much going on, so much to explore. The attention to detail is astounding. It's such a satisfying experience which incorporates smell, texture, humour and great imagination.'

http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/articles/2008/07/08766/

This article from Thorpe Bowker's Weekly Book Newsletter and Media Extra is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

Tags: carnegie medal, kate greenaway medal