As so often with the Children's Book Council of Australia's book of the year awards, there were few surprises among the winners announced on Friday. The line-up included Margo Lanagan, winner of the older readers category with Sea Hearts, and Sonya Hartnett, whose The Children of the King won the younger readers category. Rather than favouritism, though, it's a testament to the consistent outstanding work of two exceptionally talented writers.
Lanagan is unflaggingly original, her writing always striking and palpably moody. Sea Hearts, about selkies (the mythological seals that transform into humans), is no exception. The setting, a forlorn, craggy place called Rollrock Island, is brought to life by Lanagan's words, which carry the island's chill winds with them.
At the core of the haunting story is Misskaella, who evolves from awkward girl to vengeful sea-witch. It's a transformation less astonishing than that of the seal-cum-temptress women but it's equally pivotal and enthralling. As the men of the island seek out the services of the otherwise scorned Misskaella, and are instantly devoted to the seal-brides she raises for them, the question of who holds the power becomes complex and all-consuming.
While Sea Hearts is folkloric, the two honour books in this category are set firmly in the real world. In Friday Brown by Vikki Wakefield, the title character seeks to escape from the past and find her place in the world, while Neil Grant's The Ink Bridge is about two traumatised boys, one fleeing Afghanistan and one in Melbourne, and how their paths merge.
In Hartnett's The Children of the King, three children leave wartime London for the safety of the countryside. Here their story becomes entwined with that of an old ruined castle and two mysterious young boys. The prose and unfolding of the story seem effortless; captivating but still conveying the detached sense of lives in limbo as the children wait for normality to return. As with many of Hartnett's stories, there's also an enchanting wisp of otherworldliness.
Another wartime tale, Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French, was named honour book in this category, along with The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk, the sixth instalment of Glenda Millard's charming and often bittersweet Kingdom of Silk series.
The early childhood award went (in part) to another big name: illustrator Freya Blackwood, whose art for the winning book, Emma Allen's The Terrible Suitcase, has its usual sense of warmth and movement. But for a book about the power of imagination, it disappoints in that little or nothing is actually left to the imagination of the reader.
Honour book in this category, Too Many Elephants In This House by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Andrew Joyner, does a better job of showing how much fun imagination can be, with only a subtle hint at start and end about the real nature of the elephants crowding the house.
The second early childhood honour book, With Nan by Tania Cox and illustrator Karen Blair, is a heart-warmer about a young boy and his grandmother and the surprise discoveries they make on a walk through the bush.
Picture book of the year went to The Coat by Julie Hunt and acclaimed illustrator Ron Brooks. About a scarecrow coat that feels it's worthy of greater things and a down-at-heel man who finds and claims it. It's a magical, musical tale with an ''anything is possible'' ending. The text and illustrations are perfectly complementary, and the evolution from dark gloomy colours at the start to warm, rosy colours at the end reflects the joy the man and coat bring.
There's more music in Gus Gordon's New York City-set, Tohby Riddle-esque picture book Herman and Rosie, named honour book in this category, along with Alison Lester's Sophie Scott Goes South, about an expedition to Antarctica. The latter, full of factual information and photographs, was also named a ''notable book'' in the information books category, which seems the better fit.
The Eve Pownall award for information books was won by Tom the Outback Mailman by Kristin Weidenbach and illustrator Timothy Ide, about the obstacles overcome by bloke's bloke Tom Kruse in delivering mail to remote towns. A final scene of pub patrons rejoicing at the delivery of beer is as Oz as can be, while trucks and boats add instant appeal for boyish young readers.
Lyrebird! A True Story by Jackie Kerin and illustrator Peter Gouldthorpe and Topsy turvy world: How Australian animals puzzled early explorers were honour books in this category.
Correction: The original version of this story said Lyrebird! A True Story was the sole honour book in the Eve Pownall award for information books category.