Herald columnist wins book award

8.00am

Taranaki author David Hill has won a top award for children's literature for the second time.

Hill, who is also a Herald columnist, won the Esther Glen Award for distinguished contribution to children's literature at the Children's Book Awards ceremony in Napier last night.

The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (Lianza) gave Hill the honours for his book Right Where it Hurts.

He also won the Esther Glen Award in 1998 for his book Fat, Four-Eyed and Useless.

The Esther Glen Award, named after the children's writer and journalist, was established in 1944. Recipients include A W Reed, Maurice Duggan, Margaret Mahy, Tessa Duder and Maurice Gee.

Last night, the Russell Clark Award for a distinguished contribution to illustration went to Wellington design graduate Sarah Wilkins, for The Immigrants, written by Alan Bagnall.

The Elsie Locke Award for distinguished contribution to non-fiction for children went to native flora and fauna specialist Andrew Crowe, for Which New Zealand Insect?

Crowe travels New Zealand in a van, photographing and researching subjects for his books.

Which New Zealand Insect? was also shortlisted in the environment category of the 2003 Montana Book Awards.

The Te Kura Pounamu Award for distinguished contribution for children in te reo Maori went to north Auckland teacher Ngareta Gabel, for her first book Tekiteora, Kei Hea o Hu?

The Lianza awards are given each year and winners receive a medal and $1000.

- NZPA