Highland Children's Book Awards

Voted by young readers in the Highlands, the winners of The Highland Council's Children's Book Awards were announced at a ceremony held earlier today (Wednesday 18 June) in Strathpeffer Pavillion.
Winner of the top prize for the Picture Book category was Jackie Morris with "The Snow Leopard". Winner of the 8+ category was Chris Riddel with "Ottoline and the Yellow Cat" and the 12+ award went to Pauline Francis with "Raven Queen".

The Book Awards are organised by The Highland Council's Library Service with sponsorship from wind farm operators Falck Renewables and ANTA Pottery.
As well as a number of the short listed authors, attending the event were 142 pupils from 45 primary and secondary schools across the Highlands that had taken part. Since January they have all been busy reading, reviewing and voting for their favourite books.
Principal School Librarian Stephanie Hoyle said: "The third year of the book awards has proven to be the biggest yet with more authors and schools attending than ever before. We have also been able to organise extra events in schools which has allowed us to spread the message that reading is fun. Once again pupils taking part have been able to share their comments about the short-listed books on the book awards website and they had the chance to vote again in a final ballot, the results of which were kept secret until the awards presentation."

"I would like to thank all the school pupils for their help in selecting this year's winners and congratulate all the short-listed authors, especially those who were able to join us today. All the books on the short-list were donated by the publishers so I would also like to thank them for their support."

"There is a wide and wonderful selection of books available nowadays for young people to read covering an enormous range of interests. A love of reading nurtured at a young age can last a lifetime. These awards have encouraged pupils to read and review a large selection of books that they might not otherwise have looked at and I am sure it has widened their tastes on the types of books they enjoy."

Chairman of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Service, Councillor Bill Fernie said: "It is encouraging to see so many young people showing a real interest in reading a wide selection of books and it is an added bonus for them to come along to the award ceremony to meet and speak to their favourite authors. I hope they continue enjoying books throughout their lives."

Earlier in the day the short-listed authors attended special workshops for pupils and answered questions about becoming writers.
The awards were presented by Golspie High School S5 pupil Dale Pryde-MacDonald and afterwards the authors signed copies of their books before pupils went home.