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It is flattering but scary to accept the responsibility of this task. What an honour, to be taking part in the process which decides the medal winners for such respected awards. When I look at the experience & knowledge of previous judges, it makes me feel quite humble, but so many have said, " you can do it, and you'll enjoy it " there is no option but to get on with it!

Opening the boxes containing the long listed titles was like Christmas coming early. After sniffing at them & stroking them, I unpacked them properly & tried to decide which would be first. I have had to buy a new bookshelf because my shelves are already full of craft things (which won't get much use until after short listing, that's for sure)

Having to read 80 titles in a few weeks, digest them, write notes & highlight quotes, is indeed quite a pressure. I have been surprised how many of the ones I did not know gave me a good read, gems I would otherwise have missed. Even the ones with over 500 pages were a delight to journey through - how delicious to be able to submerge myself so totally & call it work - and the illustrations, fabulous!

Explaining to non-book-world friends the implications of it all makes you choose your words carefully, and I am sure a few just don't grasp the pleasure to be had from such a diverse and brilliant collection. The guidelines set down by criteria for consideration gave me plenty of help, and I soon found myself looking at the books with a different eye. I cannot imagine how 12 of us, all with different viewpoints and preferences, are going to reduce such an excellent long list to a shortlist without coming to blows. It will be a strain keeping emotions under control, but I very much look forward to sharing my thoughts with the other judges.  Being involved in the whole process is exciting and rewarding, not to mention the thought of thousands of young people who will be reading what we have recommended.

I challenge you to read at least five from each full list, just to experience the variety and skill of the authors and illustrators - reach for your library ticket right now!

BREAKING NEWS

***Shortlists announced 18^th April***

Kate Greenaway Medal                                        

• Anthony Browne - Silly Billy                       
• Polly Dunbar - Penguin                                               
• Emily Gravett - Monkey & Me                        
• Emily Gravett - Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears     
• C.A.Duffy/ Jane Ray - Lost Happy Endings                      
• Chris Riddell - Ottoline and the Yellow Cat    
• Ed Vere - Banana!                                          

 Carnegie Medal

• Kevin Crossley-Holland - Gatty's Tale
• Linzi Glass - Ruby Red
• Elizabeth Laird - Crusade
• Tanya Landman - Apache
• Philip Reeve - Here Lies Arthur
• Meg Rosoff - What I Was   
• Jenny Valentine - Finding Violet Park

Rosie Scotting B.Lib MCLIP     

Librarian: Children & Young People         

North Lincolnshire Libraries