Shortlisted authors and illustrators

The tension in the air was palpable as the audience gathered in the British Library Conference Centre  to hear who would be the winner of the 2008 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards . With guests and authors chatting over coffee for half an hour prior to assembling for welcome speeches and the official announcement there was considerable excitement. The  mix of librarians, publishers, booksellers and children from three invited schools bought together a large group of people with one thing in common, their love of books, in the world’s greatest library - a fitting place for an award ceremony that celebrates the achievements of authors and illustrators.

Over 90,000 children from 3,300 schools took part in this year’s shadowing scheme , many of their reviews have been posted on the Carnegie Greenaway website and read by the shortlisted authors who were more than happy to spend time with the children at the ceremony today.

Following the opening address from Bob McKee, CILIP chief executive, special guest Michael Portillo gave a speech emphasising the importance of children’s literature in the life of the nation and thanking the authors and illustrators whose work has inculcated a love of reading in children.

After a brief presentation showcasing each of the nominated titles the winners were finally announced.

The Kate Greenaway Medal for 2008 was won by Emily Gravett for Little Mouse's Book of Fears Accepting her prize from Michael Portillo Emily explained that she had written this book from her own knowledge of fear with the help of her daughter’s pet rats and a wonderful team of people at her publishers.

The Carnegie Medal for 2008 was won by Philip Reeve for Here Lies Arthur Philip thanked not only his editors but also the librarians and authors who had instilled in him a love of books, reading and history, without which he said he would never have become an author. The thrilled authors and excited audience then adjourned to spend time talking, signing and enjoying the food and wine on offer!

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and to Emily and Philip on their great achievement.

Emily Gravett interview

Philip Reeve interview  

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PHILIP REEVE HERE LIES ARTHUR

Gwyna is just a small girl, a mouse, when she is bound in service to Myrddin the bard - a traveller and spinner of tales. But Myrddin transfroms her - into a lady goddess, a boy warrior, and a spy. Without Gwyna, Myrddin will not be able to work the most glorious transformation of all - and turn the leader of a raggle-taggle war-band into King Arthur, the greatest hero of all time.

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EMILY GRAVETT LITTLE MOUSES'S BOOK OF FEARS

Young children will identify with the little mouse who documents his fears in the pages of this book - from loud noises and the dark to being sucked down the plughole. Original and innovative, with flaps, die-cuts and even a hilarious fold-out map, this is another extraordinary picture book from the creator of "Wolves", winner of the 2005 Kate Greenaway Medal and Nestle Award Bronze Medal.