Of mice and myth

To the British Library last week for one of the most enjoyable events in my annual calendar - the award ceremony for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. I've hosted the event for the past nine years and I love the "buzz" of the occasion.

This year Emily Gravett won the Greenaway for Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears and Philip Reeve won the Carnegie for Here Lies Arthur, a retelling of the Arthurian myth. Both spoke really well in their acceptance speeches and Philip spoke highly about the value of librarians - echoing a point made by YLG Chair Tricia Adams about the excellent work done by specialist childrens and schools library professionals.

 There's so much that's positive about CKG (as we insiders call the Medals): the fantastic work done by YLG Members to judge the Medals; the brilliant work done in schools to shadow the judging process; the prestige of the Medals which really helps to promote excellence in writing and illustration for children; and the award event itself which really is CILIP at its best.

We always have a Special Guest to help present the Medals and this year it was Michael Portillo who did a great job at relatively short notice. He didn't mind me mentioning the 1997 Election but he looked bemused when I suggested that he would be supporting Spain in Euro 2008 - "Is that soccer?" he enquired blankly. But he'd read the books and he stayed to chat so well done, Michael - and good luck in your role as Chair of the Judges for this year's Man Booker Prize.