VICTORY! Book Awards stay well clear of books like ‘Into the River’

‘The perfect package’ – Anzac book wins top prize
TVNZ One News 8 August 2016
An illustrated book detailing the triumphs and tragedies of ANZAC heroes serving in both world wars, has won the top prize at the prestigious New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
ANZAC Heroes by Maria Gill was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year prize, as well as taking out the best non-fiction category, at a ceremony in Wellington this evening.
The book covers the front line experiences of 30 New Zealand and Australian personnel, from soldiers and pilots, to nurses and spies, including their accomplishments in the war, and their post-war lives.
Judges praised the collaboration with illustrator Marco Ivancic, with the book including lifelike illustrations with maps, timelines and pop out boxes.
“There’s carefully chosen material, near overwhelming the reader, but not skimping on detail either. The meticulous research brings these heroes to life creating the perfect book package,” judge Fiona Mackie said.
Patricia Grace’s Whiti te ra! based on the history of the famous Ka Mate haka, won the award for best book in te reo Maori.
While a tale of a battle between France and England using dinosaurs as weaponry, Battlesaurus: Rampage at Waterloo by Brian Faulkner, was the winner of Young Adult Fiction.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/perfect-package-anzac-book-wins-top-prize