(Counciller John Chedid with children’s authors)

Koala Awards Day was held yesterday in Parramatta City Town Hall. It was a huge event with hundreds of children attending from many schools.

Prior to the event children nominated their favourite Australian books with the shortlisted authors attending. Winners were announced and the children were each given a copy of one of the books which the authors then signed for them.

Narelle, the Children’s librarian, who is on the committee and hence was extremely busy organising the event, wrote and performed an extremely clever skit which incorporated all the book titles. The children loved it as did the adults.

The winners of the KOALA award

Picture Storybooks Winner
Rex – Ursula Dubosarsky & David Mackintosh
Honour Books
Are We There Yet? – Alison Lester
Jungle Drums – Graeme Base

Fiction for Younger Readers
Winner
Zac Power: Series 1 – H.I.Larry
Honour Books
The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow – Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Go Girl! Two sides: #1 Track Stars! – Kathy Castle & Danielle McDonald

Fiction for Older Readers
Winner
Garden of the Purple Dragon – Carole Wilkinson
Honour Books
Give Peas a Chance – Morris Gleitzman
Ranger’s Apprentice: Series – John Flanagan

Fiction for Years 7-9
Winner
The Wizard of Rondo – Emily Rodda
Honour Books
Then – Morris Gleitzman
Tales of Deltora – Emily Rodda & Marc McBride