The New Zealand Post Book Awards are annual awards that aim to promote excellence in children's literature and provide recognition and reward for authors and illustrators of high quality New Zealand books for children and young adults.

These prestigious awards are a much sought-after accolade in the field of children's and young adults' literature in New Zealand, and a great reminder of Oceanian literature's verve and breadth.

• Established in 1997, the awards are sponsored by the New Zealand Post, supported by Creative New Zealand and Book Tokens (NZ) Ltd., and administered by Booksellers New Zealand.
• In 2004 the awards were relaunched with a new timeline that better reflects the range of ages involved and better-fits the busy school year.
• Twenty children's books, published in the preceding year, are short-listed for the Awards in early February.
• The finalist books form the focus of festival events and curriculum activities which culminate in the announcement of the New Zealand Post Book Award winners, in May, at a ceremony held in Wellington.
• Books are judged by a panel comprised of children's book and literary experts.

Booksellers New Zealand
Jayne Wasmuth
P: 04 478 5511

email: jayne.wasmuth@booksellers.co.nz

website: www.nzpostbookawards.co.nz