AustLit

This is an award for a previously unpublished author for a novel aimed at eight to twelve year-olds. 'Kathleen Fidler was the author of over 80 books for children, many of which were broadcast on BBC Radio Children's Hour and Schools programmes. She had a long-standing affection for Scotland and, over the years, worked closely with the Edinburgh Children's Book Group. After her death in 1980, the members of that group, together with her publishers, Blackie & Ston Ltd, and Mary Baxter, then Chief Executive of the National Book League in Scotland (now Scottish Book Trust), established the Kathleen Fidler Award as a memorial to her deep interest in children and writers. In 1996, Hodder Children's Books took over the sponsorship of the award and the name was changed to the Fidler award.' From http://www.booktrusted.com/handbook/prizes/fidler.html (Sighted 7/07/04)