Who would have thought one little book on ponies would cause such trouble? Ah, but then this innocent-looking offering is written by Katie Price aka Jordan.
The Nibbies are back and this year all the pre-awards gossip is about Katie Price's nomination for WHSmith's Children's Book of the Year.
The Nibbies - formally titled the Galaxy British Book Awards - are the publishing industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
I like playing spot the children's author during the crowd shots - and I bet there'll be no missing Katie who has caused quite a stir with her incredibly pink 'My Pony Care Book'. Not as you may think because of any questions of her appropriateness as a children's author nor because she's another 'celebrity' author but because she did not write the book all on her own.
Of course there's no doubting Katie's popularity with youngsters - I remember reading about huge crowds turning out to see her when she visited a local equestrian centre. Nor is it surprising that lots of little girls love pony books - although I hated them and I would never have picked up a PINK book. The votes must have flooded in.
The Daily Telegraph website says the Society of Authors has been inundated with complaints from concerned members. Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring, who chairs the organisation, told them: “I’m shocked. I’m amazed the publishers even put the book up. If it’s ghost-written then it’s inappropriate that it should be shortlisted. I am disappointed by the judges.�
While 'Chocolat' author Joanne Harris, who has recently written a children's book, 'Runemarks', said that it would be “depressing beyond anything�. “If this is an award for people who write books then it should be open only to people who write books, not to somebody who lends their name to a book, or who would have written a book if they had time but didn’t.�
On Katie's side is Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, who said: “We get too hung up about authorship. None of us writes a book entirely on our own. We get help from editors, or ideas might come from conversations with our families, or children. The issue is whether the book’s good, not who has written it. If Jordan or any of her helpers have written a very good book then absolutely good luck to them.�
Let me know your views.
Also in the running...
There are some popular titles in the younger categories - my nephew loved the 'That's not my ...' series when he was little, board books with material to feel (oh ok I confess I loved them too.) 'That's not my penguin... (its tummy is too fuzzy)' is the latest in this winning formula and is the 0-5 category (shared reads) choice. Then he moved on to the 'Horrid Henry' series - so he'd be backing 'and the abominal (what a great word) snowman' - for 5+ (early) category. He will not be happy that 'Captain Underpants' lost out to Katie Price's book for the 7+ (developing) choice - perhaps girls vote more than boys.
The shortlisted choice for aged 9+ (confident) is 'Born to Run' by Michael Morpurgo the story of a greyhound. I was given this as a present and read it really quickly and was surprised at how the story ends. I love Morpurgo's books especially the moving 'Private Peaceful'.
While Jacqueline Wilson is nominated in the 12+ (fluent) category for 'Kiss' - she won in 2000 and 2003 will she manage a hat trick?
Last year Ricky Gervais won the WH Smith award with his 'Flanimals of the Deep' - personally I wanted John Boyne to win with his fantastic 'Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'.
The other book I've read is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is also up for Waterstone's Newcomer of the Year (although he has had four other books for young adults published in his home country of Australia.) Set in Nazi Germany the book is told by death and as you would expect there's lots of sad parts in the story. An excellent read but one that's definitely for older children and one that's sure to prompt a lot of questions.
Books that didn't quite make it included Charlie Higson's latest Young Bond book 'Hurricane Gold' (I prefer the odd numbered titles in the series so am keeping my fingers crossed for 'By Royal Command' out September 4th), 'The Book Thief', and one I'd like to read 'Wilderness' by Roddy Doyle about a husky safari in Finland.
The Galaxy Book Awards are being shown on this Sunday (April 13th) at 4.45pm on Channel 4 hosted again by Richard & Judy.
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Charlotte Braden wrote...
I'd think the award would amount to nothing if she won. She did only lend her name. She didn't put her blood, sweat and tears into writing the book.
My opinion of Michael Rosen supporting her is shame on him. We may get pointers from editors, and ideas can come from anyone, family, friends, strangers, our imagination, we get critiques from our crit groups but WE took the time to put those words down on paper.
Some of us work for years trying to place a manuscript, not because it's poorly written, but because it hard to find the right niche, the right publisher, the right agent that’s willing to take a chance on a book with an unknown author.
It’s beyond frustrating that a person who’s made her name with her bazooka’s and is a very poor role model for children can toss her name out and BAM, instant book. In my words, it sucks!
Remember, we can fight back. I refuse to buy any books written by famous names. I also let my local bookstore know my opinion, nicely given, on what I think of these books. If more of us fight back maybe we will have more of a chance of getting out of the slush pile.
Just my humble opinion.
Smiles, Charlotte
http://charlottebraden.blogspot.com
Posted by: Charlotte Braden | April 9, 2008 4:55 PM