Inaugural DANZ award to celebrate diverse children’s fiction
The new biennial DANZ (Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) Children’s Book Award has been established ‘to recognise, award, and celebrate diverse children’s fiction’.
In partnership with the Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and the School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA), a committee of people working in children’s literature has launched the award to bring Australia and New Zealand in-line with the UK and US, where similar awards such as the Diverse Book Awards, Jhalak Prize, Little Rebels and the Walter Awards already exist.
Voted for by judges aged between 6–16 years old, the longlisted titles will be promoted in a digital and print brochure distributed to schools, bookstores and libraries across the two countries in early 2024. A winner in each category will be awarded $1000 and further promotion.
‘DANZ is more than an award; it’s a valuable resource,’ said DANZ founder and children’s author Kate Foster. ‘A list like this, curated by both adults and children, will support teachers, librarians, booksellers and more, and help put the best representation into the hands of young readers everywhere.’
Foster said research into children’s fiction in Australia and New Zealand shows a lack of diverse representation, and that books over the past 10 years often feature harmful representation of diverse characters, portraying inaccurate and insensitive stereotypes and tropes. While DANZ encourages marginalised creators to enter the arts, the award also encourages book-buyers and educators to stock appealing books for children that have positive representation, which have also been given a seal of approval by a panel of young readers.
Said Foster: ‘To expand a little on the background to the award, as an autistic person, and someone who’s been active in the author community for many years, it’s disheartening and disappointing to see children’s books being published and often rewarded, that have negative, inaccurate and stereotypical representations of autistic, and of course other minority characters. These books are then handed to children to read and thus the cycle perpetuates notions which are ultimately harmful and work against equality.’
‘Instead of complaining, we decided to create something that lifts those voices and books which offer more balanced and accurate, modern and joyful portrayals of marginalised people and communities. Though wrapped up as an award, the core goal of DANZ is the production of a brochure distributed to schools, libraries and booksellers highlighting the longlisted books and supporting those time-strapped people who work in children’s literature. In turn we hope it encourages publishers to make wiser choices and for more marginalised creatives to enter the mainstream arts.’
The award is open to children’s books which push boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate diversity, including disability, culture, class, LGBTQI, race, and religion. Book nominations are open to traditional and self-published creators with works of fiction released in Australia and/or New Zealand. Creators and publishers are invited to nominate picture books, chapter books and middle-grade novels that were released from 2022–23. There is no entry fee. Nominations close on 31 August 2023.
For more information, visit the website.
Category: Awards Local news
