Friends celebrate children’s book success

Two talented Surf Coast children’s book creators have been recognised with national book of the year awards.

Author Kaye Baillie and illustrator Renée Treml each won a Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year award in the ‘Best Book for Language and Literacy Development’ category for their respective age groups.

Kaye and Renée are friends and, despite knowing each was nominated for the award, they were unaware they had both won until the awards were announced on October 29.

“The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards raise awareness of the role speech pathologists play in assisting people of all ages to develop their language and literacy skills,” they said.

“We are passionate about literacy and are honoured to be recognised by Speech Pathology Australia.”

Boo Loves Books, written by Kaye and illustrated by Tracie Grimwood, won the Three to Five Years Old age group.

 

 

It tells the story of a little girl who is a reluctant reader and fears making mistakes, with beautiful illustrations providing curious young eyes with lots to explore.

“My inspiration for the story came from an article about school children reading to homeless cats at an animal shelter,” Kaye said.

“I wanted to write a story that would encourage all children to believe in themselves and to discover their own pathway to reading.”

Look, Baby!, written by Janeen Brian and illustrated by Renée, was named the Book of the Year for Birth to Three Years Old.

 

 

Renée designed cut-out pages which would complement Janeen’s lyrical text and encourage curiosity and engagement.

“The story features families of all types and helps parents and carers show their child how to look around at all the different and exciting things there are to see,” Renée explained.

“Plus, a few of the pages were inspired by our local Surf Coast landscape.”