Three Tauranga authors have scored a hat trick, with all three winning Notable Book Awards.

Rachel Weston, Susan Brocker and Angie Belcher were winners at the 2024 Storylines Literature Trust – Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa’s Notable Book Awards.

“This is a massive deal,” says Weston, who won a non-fiction award for her book Kiwi Bees have Tiny Knees: Native Bees of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Susan Brocker won her award in the picture book section with Watson the Detective Dog, illustrated by Jenny Cooper; while Angie Belcher won an award in the te reo Māori category with her book Pipi Dance / Te Pikari Pipi, illustrated by Lily Uivel and translated by Pānia Papa.

Both Brocker’s and Cooper’s book were published by Scholastic NZ, while Weston has self-published as Weston Books.

The 2024 Storylines Notable Book Award winners were announced on Thursday, November 14.

“These are impressive lists of excellent books in all categories, testament to the strength of local children’s and young adult publishing,” said Storylines Trust chairwoman Christine Young.

“It is so important that our tamariki and rangatahi enjoy reading – and equally important that they have access to high-quality books that reflect and broaden their experience of growing up in New Zealand. All the books listed this year will do that.”

The categories in which books are judged are te reo Māori, junior fiction, picture books, YA fiction, and non-fiction.

Books published in the previous 12 months are selected for the lists. Judging panels include teachers, booksellers, authors, academics and librarians.

Brocker, Weston and Belcher are all Bookrapt, Est. 1983 and Tauranga Writers, Est. 1967 authors and their books are available at local bookstores.

This year’s winners are:

Te Reo Māori

• A Ariā me te Atua o te Kūmara (Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Isobel Joy te Aho-White, trans by Hēni Jacob, Puffin)

• Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro (Elizabeth Gray, illustrated by Rehua Wilson, Huia)

• Ko ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki. Ko Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi (Miriama Kamo, illustrated by Zak Waipara, trans by Ariana Stevens, Scholastic NZ)

• Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe—Activity Book (Kat Quin, trans by Pānia Papa, Illustrated Publishing)

• Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina (Qiane Matata-Sipu, illustrated by Isobel Joy te Aho-White, Puffin)

• Rere Atu Taku Poi!: Let My Poi Fly! (Tangaroa Paul, illustrated Rebecca Gibbs, Oratia)

• Te Pīkari Pipi (Angie Belcher, illustrated by Lily Uivel, trans by Pānia Papa, Scholastic NZ)

• Titiro / Look (Gavin Bishop, Gecko)

Picture books

• Beddy-Bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree (Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Lily Uivel, Scholastic NZ)

• Elephant Park (Melanie Koster, illustrated by Jenny Cooper, Scholastic NZ)

• Hatch and Match (Ruth Paul, Walker)

• The Little Witch Who Lost her Broom! (Elaine Bicknell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath, Scholastic NZ)

• Spotty the Zebra (Peter Millett, illustrated by Raymond McGrath, Scholastic NZ)

• The Squeakling. The Tale of Spike, Max and the Tiny Intruder (Kristin Kelly, illustrated by Ronja Schipper, Scholastic NZ)

• The Very Best Words (Erin Munro, illustrated by Sarah Trolle, Little Moa)

• Watson the Detective Dog (Susan Brocker, illustrated by Jenny Cooper, Scholastic NZ)

Junior fiction

• Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie (Shelley Burne-Field, A&U Children’s NZ)

• Brown Bird (Jane Arthur, Puffin)

• Children of the Rush – Book 3 (James Russell, Dragon Brothers Books)

• The Grimmelings (Rachael King, A&U Children’s NZ)

• Jason Mason and the Dastardly Master of Disguise (Jason Gunn & Andrew Gunn, Bateman)

• Koro’s Star (Claire Aramakutu, Scholastic NZ)

• Nine Girls (Stacy Gregg, Penguin)

• Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman (Tim Tipene, illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White, OneTree House)

• The Raven’s Eye Runaways (Claire Mabey, A&U Children’s NZ)

• Take Me To Your Leader (Leonie Agnew, illustrated by Paul Beavis, Puffin)

YA fiction

• Gracehopper (Mandy Hager, OneTree House)

• Migration (Steph Matuku, Huia Publishers)

Non fiction

• The Beach Activity Book: 99 Ideas for Activities by the Water Around Aotearoa New Zealand (Rachel Haydon, illustrated by Pippa Keel, Te Papa)

• Dear Moko: Māori Wisdom For Our Young Ones (Hinemoa Elder, illustrated by Miriama Grace-Smith, Penguin)

• Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees: Native Bees of Aotearoa New Zealand (Rachel Weston, Weston Books)

• Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe – Activity Book (Kat Quin, trans by Pānia Papa, illustrated Publishing)

• My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book (Rangi Matamua & Miriama Kamo, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, Scholastic NZ).

• Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal (Hira Nathan & Jessie Eyre, illustrated by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho, A&U Children’s NZ)

• Play Wild: Nature Craft Projects for Tamariki (Rachel Clare, Bateman)

• Tasting With Your Feet: The Amazing Way Animals Make Sense of the World (Ned Barraud, Potton & Burton)

The book Mawson in Antarctica (Anna Grochowicz, A&U Children’s NZ) was also announced as an honour book in the non fiction category.

Books published in the previous 12 months are selected for the lists. Judging panels include teachers, booksellers, authors, academics, and librarians.

Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award

Joy Sellen has been named the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for outstanding service to children’s literature.

Storylines said Sellen’s “journey into children’s literature was an unexpected one, starting with a background in science and languages, before she pivoted to a range of roles, including translation, research, and market analysis”.

“Her love for books and community involvement deepened through her work with playgroups, toy libraries, and Wellington City Libraries,” said a Storylines spokesperson.

“Since 2015, Joy has been a pivotal figure in the administration of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, as well as the HELL Reading Challenge.

“Her efforts have focused on finding innovative ways to engage tamariki and rangatahi with Aotearoa’s rich literature, whether through school judging panels, Books Alive events, or the Great NZ Book Trip online author events. Joy’s dedication continues to inspire young readers across the country, making her a worthy recipient of this celebrated award.”

Sellen presented the Storylines Spring lecture on Saturday, November 23 at Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora, Newtown Community Centre.