Like buses, not one but THREE exciting nominations/prizes have arrived, for prestigious awards. Naturally I’m delighted, although the competition is stiff and my expectations realistic. Nevertheless, it is always good to hard hard work recognised.
The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra was an especially exciting commission. After several years of collaborating on live art and music events with the Docklands Sinfonia and founder-conductor Spencer Down, I was asked to work with composer Jeremy Holland-Smith on a new work, to introduce the orchestra to children. Directed by Royal Ballet legend Will Tuckett, the premiere to place at the People’s Hall, Mile End, and over 3,000 Tower Hamlet children came to hear their first ever orchestra.
Now we are very proud to announce that this has been shortlisted for a British Composer Award – a hugely important prize.
Despite a broken arm, I LOVED performing the role of the caretaker. Fortunately Antonio Reche-Martinez was on hand to help with the live painting. Here we all are at a later performance in Limehouse, St. Anne’s.
It was astonishing how Jeremy took my words and created something truly wonderful in music, far and beyond anything I’d imagined. I HOPE HE WINS!
Here’s a short film about the premiere:
As if that isn’t exciting enough, I can also now share the news that Mrs Noah’s Pockets has been nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway medal. This is like the picture-book Oscars. But before you get too excited, over 100 picture books are on this long list.
Nevertheless, I’m AM excited because, after 30 years and 70 + books, it is the FIRST time I have ever been nominated.
It is especially gratifying as this book, with wonderful words bye Jackie Morris, was illustrated in a very new technique, and was a big risk for me. So I’m thrilled to have that big step endorsed.
I’m so grateful to Otter-Barry Books, designer Judith Eskreet, and Jackie of course. As with the Caretaker’s Guide, it’s all about collaboration and team work.
The THIRD prize, also for Mrs Noah’s Pockets, is for the book to have been selected by the International Youth Library as a “White Raven” title, meaning it is recommended book in the field of International Children’s and Youth Literature. A presentation will take place at the Bologna Book Fair in 2019.
So what happens next? I suppose it is a waiting game.
But, as honoured as I am, the real prize is always seeing a child loving your book, or being sent letters or drawings. That’s the only award that REALLY matters…
Leave a Reply