Two illustrators on list for book awards

Finalist: Illustrator Liz Anelli, shown here with students from New Lambton Heights infants school in 2020, has been nominated in two categories for the Children's Book Council of Australia awards. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Two Newcastle illustrators have been named on the longlist for the Children's Book Council of Australia awards.

Sami Bayly and Liz Anelli are both listed for the Eve Pownall Award, for books that have the prime intention of documenting factual material in imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style.

Bayly's book, published by Hachette Australia, is The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals. Her first book was The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals.

Recognition: Sami Bayly with a copy of her book The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals.

Liz Anelli's book, written by Pamela Freeman and published by Walker Books Australia, is Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu.

Anelli was also listed for Picture Book of the Year for The Biscuit Maker, written by Sue Lawson and published by Walker Books Australia.

"That's very exciting," Anelli said of making the list. "I'm pleased to hear that."

On the longlist: Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu, illustrated by Liz Anelli, written by Pamela Freeman.

Anelli is a prolific children's book illustrator, and will soon reunite with Pamela Freeman for a book project in northern Queensland.

The CBCA shortlist is announced on March 30.

Read more

Liz Anelli's career is soaring

Searching for creativity during COVID