Twice winner of the Whitbread Children’s Book Award, author
David Almond has been announced as the winner of the
Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Describing Almond as “
a creator of magical realism for children", the jury of children's literature experts praised his "
unique voice" and said "
his use of language is sophisticated and reaches across the ages." In a statement, the ten international members said that Almond "
captures his young readers' imagination and motivates them to read, think and be critical".
When told, the author responded with astonishment at his win. "
Good god, that's absolutely brilliant…It's amazing. I didn't think I'd win but you never know”
The prize for illustrators was awarded to
Jutta Bauer from Germany. The jury highlighted her "
philosophical approach, originality, creativity as well as her ability to communicate with young readers", and described her as "
a powerful narrator who blends real life with legend through her pictures".
Some of David Almond's books:
When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister's illness, Michael's world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Then, one Sunday afternoon, he stumbles into the old, ramshackle garage of his new home, and finds something magical. A strange creature - part owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael's help if he is to survive. With his new friend Mina, Michael nourishes Skellig back to health, while his baby sister languishes in the hospital. But Skellig is far more than he at first appears, and as he helps Michael breathe life into his tiny sister, Michael's world changes forever . . .
Erin, January and Mouse live in a children's home, Whitegates. They often dream of escape, and frequently journey into the outside world. Running away is something they know all about. But this time January builds a raft, and the three of them head precariously down river. Towards the Black Middens. This time they might never come back. When they stumble across a disused factory and its strange inhabitants - Grampa and Heaven Eyes - they wonder if they'll even have the choice. Heaven Eyes is the girl who should have drowned at sea. The mysterious girl desperately searching for her family, hoping that these three might be the family she has lost. She has a secret history only Grampa knows. And does he trust these three invaders enough to tell them? Erin feels a sisterly responsibility for Heaven Eyes, Mouse longs to belong anywhere and anyhow, but January thinks Grampa's a murderer. Whatever happens, all three have a part to play. .
A long hot summer; a wild boy; an abandoned baby; an act of violence
Every summer Liam and Max roam the wild countryside of Northumberland – but this year things are different. One hot summer’s day a jackdaw leads the two boys into an ancient farm house where they find a baby, wrapped in a blanket, with a scribbled note pinned to it: PLESE LOOK AFTER HER RITE. THIS IS A CHILDE OF GOD, and so begins Jackdaw Summer. A summer when friendships are tested, a summer when lines between good and bad are blurred, and a summer that Liam will never forget ...
Kit has just moved to Stoneygate with his family, to live with his ageing grandfather who is gradually succumbing to Alzheimer's Disease. Stoneygate is an insular place, scarred by its mining history - by the danger and death it has brought them. Where the coal mine used to be there is now a wilderness.
Here Kit meets Askew, a surly and threatening figure who masterminds the game called Death, a frightening ritual of hypnotism; and Kit makes friends with Allie, the clever school troublemaker. As Kit struggles to adjust to his new life and the gradual failing of his beloved grandfather, these two friendships pull him towards a terrifying resolution. Haunted by ghosts of the past, Kit must confront death and - ultimately - life.
Some of Jutta Bauer's work:
This little boy's grandpa tells him stories whenever he visits. He tells how nothing ever seemed to hurt him. Every morning as a boy, he would run past the big statue of an angel on his way to school, and bullies, buses, high trees, deep lakes - none could touch him. Even through war, hunger and unemployment, and all the strange things life threw at him, Grandpa's angel - though never specifically mentioned - is always at his shoulder, looking out for him.
There is always a story in moving house and this family has several to tell. From Uncle's hat to Aunty's violin, follow our family as they embark on an incredible adventure to find that elusive place called home.
With its fabulous autumnal fantasy cover, what did I expect when Savannah Grey landed in my hands? 
