TAIPEI: Artie and Julie, a picture book written and illustrated by Taiwanese author Chen Chih-yuan, has been selected as one of the 10 most notable children's books of 2009 by a US teachers' organization, a publishing source said yesterday.

The English-language book about two friends - Artie the lion and Julie the rabbit - was selected for distinction by the prestigious Children's Literature Assembly under the US National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Artie and Julie has been cited for the NCTE's Notables Award, according to Heryin Publishing Co, which published the Chinese edition of Artie and Julie in 2006.

Artie and Julie will be featured, along with 29 other notable children's books, at the NCTE Convention slated for November this year and at the International Reading Association (IRA) Convention in 2010, as well as in the Autumn 2009 edition of the Journal of Children's Literature, said Chou Yih-fen, editor-in-chief of Heryin Books Inc.

The 30 titles, which include works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and picture books written for children, demonstrate distinction in the use of language or style, involve word play, word origins, or the history of language, and invite child response or participation, according to the NCTE assembly.

Having received glowing reviews from the US-based Kirkus Reviews, the English edition of Artie and Julie, published in the United States last year, was introduced as "a good book worthy having", according to Chou.

So far, Chen, 34, has six illustrated children's books to his name, including Guji Guji, On My Way to Buy Eggs, The Featherless Chicken and The Best Christmas Ever.

He is also the only Chinese writer and illustrator to have repeatedly won international recognition for his work, including a best children's book award presented by the US Publishers Weekly in 2003 and a best children's book award presented by the Japan Library Association in 2006.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 08/04/2009 page2)