What a cause to celebrate.  What a fantastic award, long overdue, for a children’s author to be recognised.

Children’s literature has always been the poor second cousin, devalued against the recognition given to authors of "adult" literature.  And yet... if we don’t encourage outstanding authors to write for children, and if we don’t reward authors who write great novels for children, how can we develop a child’s love of literature? It hopefully follows that a love of reading as a child will almost certainly develop into a love of reading as an adult. Children’s novels have never been seriously recognised through literature awards, yet reading is the foundation of all learning.

The skill of writing a children’s novel which appeals and holds the interest of its reader should be recognised equally as much as the admiration an author generates in writing skilful adult novels.

At last that premise is being recognised with the award to Andy Griffiths – unapologetically an author of children’s books, and children love his work. Purists may take me to task, arguing that these books are hardly "literature". My response... any books which have children lining up to read them and parents persuaded into buying them is literature, because children are reading them.

Andy does teacher librarians heads in!  He creates titles like The Day My Bum Went Psycho. Now there’s a title to dream of.  Who would be brave enough to think up something so deliciously naughty that it would not only shock grown-ups, but appeal enormously to kids?

The 52-Storey Treehouse, that funny fantasy-adventure novel, fourth of a series, written by Andy Griffiths with imaginative, witty illustrations by Terry Denton, was the best-selling book Australian book in 2014. It also won the prize for best book for younger children, praised for its "huge impact on encouraging young children to read, especially boys". That is music to my ears!

 Andy has been generous in praising Terry’s brilliant illustrations which support his stories. Together these two have inspired thousands of children to pick up a book, turn aside from their iPad,  lie in bed and READ.... after lights out, under bedclothes, torch in hand.

One of my grandsons counted down the hours until he could buy the next Andy Griffith book. He is not usually a great reader, this little fellow, but Andy turned that around.

Over the past 15 years Andy Griffiths’ books have been New York Times best-sellers, won more than 50 children's choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold more than five million copies worldwide.

Andy and Terry, winners are grinners. Congratulations!