The great thing about children's publishing is that everything about is worthwhile. The authors and illustrators, not to mention the editors, designers andf salespeople, are all committed to an important set of objectives - making great books to help literacy, stimulate creativity, enhance enjoyment and to educate. Even when individual titles fail commercially at least they had a good reason to exist which cannot be said of all types of books.

It is therefore with enormous pride and pleasure that I heard today of Macmillan's success on the prize front today.

Frank Cottrell Boyce’s second novel Framed has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, Frank won the Carnegie Medal last year with his debut novel Millions. Described as original, charming and funny, Framed has achieved great acclaim and was also shortlisted for the Whitbread Medal.

Emily Gravett’s Wolves has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. This is Emily’s debut picture book, which was also awarded a bronze medal in the Nestle Children’s Prize. It was published to great acclaim last year.

 Emma Hopkin, MD of Macmillan Children’s Books says: “We are delighted to have a book on each shortlist – something that we have not achieved for years. Both Emily and Frank are masters of their craft and both thoroughly deserve to be on the shortlists. Both the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards are very important to us as publishers, because the books featured on them are chosen by librarians for outstanding work.”

 Full shortlists are available at www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk