Voting opens for kids' best book

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Children are being invited to vote for their favourite book in the Children's Book Awards.

Voting opens today for the children's choice award and winners will be announced on May 19.

Twenty finalists have been chosen from 130 entries for the NZ Post Children's Book Awards, with children's literature veterans Joy Cowley and Margaret Mahy squaring off against relative newcomers. There is a strong Kiwi flavour in many of the books, with themes including gumboots, pavlovas and war hero Willie Apiata.

The competition is judged by children's literature consultant Rosemary Tisdall, writer and reviewer Trevor Agnew and children's bookshop owner Ruth McIntyre.

Winners from each category – including picture book, non-fiction, junior fiction and adult fiction – receive $7500. An overall winner receives another $7500.

The Wellington region has five finalists: Joy Cowley, for Cowshed Christmas and Friends: Snake and Lizard; Mandy Hager (Melrose) for Blood of the Lamb: The Crossing; Fleur Beale (Island Bay) for End of the Alphabet; Rachel Driscoll (illustrator, Petone) for Old Hu-Hu; Philip Webb (illustrator, Wadestown) for Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig Goes to Dad's Cafe.

- © Fairfax NZ News