It seems only right that the review for the picture book finalists for NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults should be illustrated! We asked accomplished comic artist Tara Black to review all five finalists.
Here, in pictures, are her reviews of How Māui Slowed the Sun retold and illustrated by Donovan Bixley and advised and translated by Darryn Joseph, Abigail and the Birth of the Sun by Matthew Cunningham and illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, Mini Whinny: Goody Four Shoes by Stacy Gregg and illustrated by Ruth Paul, Santa’s Worst Christmas, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White and last but not least The Gobbledegook Book: A Joy Cowley Anthology by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Giselle Clarkson.
Tara Black
Tara Black can often be found in the front row of book events, illustrating authors and their ideas. She has an MCW from Massey University and loves fried potato. Her first graphic novel, This Is Not a Pipe, is out now from VUP. Image: Ebony Lamb