An interpretation of the South Pacific's history has won New Zealand's most prestigious children's book award.An interpretation of the South Pacific's history has won New Zealand's most prestigious children's book award.The Illustrated History of the South Pacific (Random House), by Marcia Stenson, won the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award, the overall prize in the annual New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Stenson also won the Non Fiction Category of the awards for her colourful book.

This year's judging panel of three children's book experts, convened by illustrator, writer and teacher Keith Olsen, praised Stenson for her skills. "Interpreting history for young people is challenging, but this book more than meets that challenge. The production values are excellent and both publisher and author should be commended for producing a very visual and accessible presentation of a history topic we all need to know about."

Olsen was joined on the judging panel by Ainslie Heather and Dylan Owen, with backgrounds in children's book retailing and librarianship. The three said their experience offered them a unique overview of the state of writing and illustrating for young people in this country. They were happy to report that there is considerable strength and depth in both the artistic, and the business side of children's book production in New Zealand.

Other winners in the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are:

Picture Book and Children's Choice Award
Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo & John O'Reilly (Scholastic NZ Ltd)
Honour Award: A Present from the Past by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher (Scholastic NZ Ltd)

Non Fiction
Illustrated History of the South Pacific by Marcia Stenson (Random House New Zealand)

Junior Fiction
Thor's Tale by Janice Marriott (HarperCollins New Zealand)

Young Adult
Genesis by Bernard Beckett (Longacre Press)
Honour Award: Single Fin by Aaron Topp (Random House New Zealand)

Best First Book Award
The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff written and illustrated by Ben Galbraith (Hodder Children's Books)

The winner of each category was awarded with $5,000. The winner of the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award takes home an extra $5,000. The winner of the Best First Book and the Children's Choice Award receive prize money of $1,000 each. The honour awards were presented in two categories this year. These awards are discretionary and are awarded in recognition of particular features in each book.