The Esther Glen Award

Cover of Stella Morice's The book of Wiremu (1945), the first winner of the Esther Glen Award.

Celebrating writers for children and young adults

The honour for New Zealand's longest-running book award goes to the Esther Glen Award, given ‘for the most distinguished contribution to New Zealand literature for children and young adults'. The award was established in 1945 in commemoration of one of New Zealand's finest children's writers. Since its inception it has been given to many of New Zealand's favourite children's and young adult writers.

The award was first given in 1945 to Stella Morice for The book of Wiremu. The book, containing stories of the daily life of a young Maori boy, was illustrated by Nancy Parker. The award was next given in 1947 to A.W. Reed for Myths and legends of Maoriland. Gaps in the years the award has been given (1946, 1948-9, 1951-8, 1960-3, 1965-9, 1974, 1976-7, 1980-1, 1999 and 2000) have supposedly reflected New Zealand's restricted field of children's writers. It is undoubtedly a positive sign that the award has been given with greater regularity in recent years.

Celebrated New Zealand children's and young adult writer Margaret Mahy has been given the award a record six times (1970, 1973, 1983, 1985, 1993 and 2001). She received it for her first published book, A lion in the meadow, and most recently in 2001 for her young adult novel, 24 hours. Tessa Duder has received the award three times (1988, 1990 and 1992), on each occasion for a book in her inspirational young adult series, Alex. Another multiple winner is Maurice Gee, an author equally celebrated for his writing for adults. Gee received the award in 1986 and 1995 and is on the 2008 shortlist for his young adult novel, Salt. The winners are announced at the annual conference of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA), which administers the awards.