Jessica Joan a Book of the Year???
Yesterday I read in a reliable newspaper source that amongst my ‘bevy of awards’, Jessica Joan had been a Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year in 1999.
Flattering as that is… I have no idea where that information came from – certainly not from me or my publishes. It was not shortlisted and did not win this award either time it was published.
The book, now out of print (I’m hoarding my last few copies!) was first published in 1994. I believe it’s still used regularly on ABC’s “Playschool” program and is also contracted to be read on Disney Australia – and most importantly, kids still enjoy it!
Wendy Orr is a Canadian-born Australian writer. Her books for children and adults have been published in 27 countries and won awards around the world. Nim’s Island and Nim at Sea have also become feature films, starring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin (Nim’s Island) and Bindi Irwin (Return to Nim’s Island.) Her latest book is Cuckoo’s Flight, a companion to the highly acclaimed Bronze Age novels Dragonfly Song and Swallow’s Dance. Read full bio
