Three Tauranga authors have scored a hat trick, with all three winning Notable Book Awards.

Rachel Weston, Susan Brocker and Angie Belcher were winners at the 2024 Storylines Literature Trust – Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa’s Notable Book Awards.

“This is a massive deal,” says Weston, who won a non-fiction award for her book Kiwi Bees have Tiny Knees: Native Bees of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Susan Brocker won her award in the picture book section with Watson the Detective Dog, illustrated by Jenny Cooper; while Angie Belcher won an award in the te reo Māori category with her book Pipi Dance / Te Pikari Pipi, illustrated by Lily Uivel and translated by Pānia Papa.

Both Brocker’s and Cooper’s book were published by Scholastic NZ, while Weston has self-published as Weston Books.

The 2024 Storylines Notable Book Award winners were announced on Thursday, November 14.

“These are impressive lists of excellent books in all categories, testament to the strength of local children’s and young adult publishing,” said Storylines Trust chairwoman Christine Young.

“It is so important that our tamariki and rangatahi enjoy reading – and equally important that they have access to high-quality books that reflect and broaden their experience of growing up in New Zealand. All the books listed this year will do that.”

The categories in which books are judged are te reo Māori, junior fiction, picture books, YA fiction, and non-fiction.

Books published in the previous 12 months are selected for the lists. Judging panels include teachers, booksellers, authors, academics and librarians.

Brocker, Weston and Belcher are all Bookrapt, Est. 1983 and Tauranga Writers, Est. 1967 authors and their books are available at local bookstores.

- SunLive