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It was
announced at twelve noon today that the Carnegie medal had
been awarded to Terry Pratchett for his book The Amazing
Maurice and His Educated Rodents. This is the first
mainstream literary award that Terry Pratchett has won despite
his huge popularity. With 48 books currently in print sales
of his books have reached in excess of 27 million worldwide.
"Our
decision was unanimous," says Karen Usher, Chair
of this year’s judging panel. "This is an outstanding
work of literary excellence – a brilliant twist on
the tale of the Pied Piper that is funny and irreverent,
but also dark and subversive. It is a rich multi-layered
story with a pacy plot and excellent characterisation. Terry
Pratchett uses his trademark wit and humour to question
our society’s attitudes and behaviour in a way that
is totally accessible for children of 10 years and over."
This
is an outstanding work of literary excellence
– a brilliant twist on the tale of
the Pied Piper that is funny and irreverent,
but also dark and subversive.
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Karen
Usher
Chair of the judging panel
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Terry
fended off strong competition from a number of authors including
Sharon Creech who was commended by the judging panel for
Love That Dog and Geraldine McCaughrean who was highly
commended for her book Stop The Train
Terry
said that he was "totally delighted and genuinely shocked...
I’d have bet £1000 against me! I’m especially
pleased because Maurice isn’t just fantasy but funny
fantasy, too. It’s nice to see humour taken seriously."
The
Kate Greenaway Medal, which is awarded to a children's illustrator,
was won by Chris Riddell for his book Pirate Diary, an
information book based on the fictionalised account of the
adventures of young Jake Carpenter on the high seas.
He
can move from detail to a huge canvas
within a page and his use of perspective
and humour will stimulate and entertain
children and young people for a long time
to come
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Karen
Usher
Chair of the judging panel
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Karen
Usher, Chair of this year's CILIP Youth Libraries Group
judges says, "It’s been twenty seven years
since an information book has won the Greenaway, but Chris’s
incredible variety of style and gift for capturing character
stood out. He can move from detail to a huge canvas within
a page and his use of perspective and humour will stimulate
and entertain children and young people for a long time
to come."
Chris
also works as a political cartoonist and has been with The
Observer since 1995. He describes himself as having "a
polite drawing style in which I can say very rude things".
Chris
lives in Brighton with his wife and tree children.
1st
May 2002
The
2002 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals
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