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Quirky Kid’s The Best of Friends® was shortlisted in the 2016 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, adding another important external recognition for the Australian-developed social and emotional learning program.
The 2016 shortlists were announced on 29 June, with titles assessed for their appeal to children, interactive quality and their ability to support communication and literacy development.
For Quirky Kid, the recognition was significant because The Best of Friends® was developed as more than a traditional workbook. The program combines stories, illustrations, discussion and structured activities to help children practise friendship, emotional awareness, communication and social problem-solving skills.
Recognition from speech pathology professionals
Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year Awards are designed to highlight Australian children’s books that can contribute to language and literacy development. Shortlisted titles are considered for qualities such as child appeal, interaction, language use and their usefulness in supporting communication.
The shortlist therefore provided recognition from a professional community working directly with children’s communication and language development, extending the program’s credibility beyond psychology and education.
Part of a strong year for The Best of Friends®
The Speech Pathology Australia shortlist came during a significant period of external recognition for The Best of Friends®.
Earlier in 2016, Quirky Kid won the Australian Book Industry Innovation Award for the program. The Best of Friends® had also been shortlisted for an Educational Initiative Award at the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards.
Together, these recognitions highlighted different aspects of the program: its publishing innovation, educational purpose and potential value for professionals supporting children’s communication and development.
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Quirky Kid continues to grow, develop and evolve. As a result, we have new positions for child psychologists and a mental health clinician (Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Mental Health Nursing or Psychologist) who shares Quirky Kid’s passion for working with children – Together, amazing things happen.
Continuing the evidence journey
The Best of Friends® continued to develop after the 2016 shortlist. The program was later independently evaluated through the University of Wollongong and has continued to be delivered by Quirky Kid and licensed to schools and psychology clinics across Australia.
Books+Publishing’s 2016 awards coverage confirms that the winners were selected from shortlists announced in June and outlines the language and literacy focus of the awards.
