In October it was Book Week and time for the Children’s Book Council of Australia to announce the long-awaited winners of the Book of the Year awards. In an actual dream come true, my middle grade verse novel, The Little Wave, won the BOOK OF THE YEAR: YOUNGER READERS. Book of the Year! OMG!!!
In a beautiful and moving online ceremony, all the winning authors and illustrators showed us where they live and work and talked about the journey of creating their books. Check out the full winners list here. Although I would’ve dearly loved to have been in Australia for Book Week, my Singapore family rallied and I had a lovely day with flowers, champagne, a morning tea party and lots and lots of congratulatory messages. So many that it took me days to respond to everyone. I can’t thank the judges or the CBCA enough for their work in spotlighting diverse and wonderful books for children. As I said in my speech, they are a national treasure!
A little bit of my acceptance speech!
Thanks to all the teacher librarians, teachers, book reviewers, booksellers and kid lit community for making this little wave a big wave!
Dreams do come true…
Pinch me, my book just won the CBCA Book of the Year.