Best books for children announced

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Publishers Association named Kiambang Bertaut yesterday the best children's book in 1996.

Written by C.M. Nas and published by state-owned Balai Pustaka, the book is a story about the friendship of Saba, Lodan, Ripin, Danu and Jupri in Kampung Keling.

The judging panel's chief, Riris K. Toha Sarumpaet, said the book was rich with ideas which were highly suitable for children.

The writer and publisher won trophies and return air tickets and accommodation to attend a book fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

The judges named Riwayat Nabi Muhammad (Story of Prophet Muhammad) as the best selling children's book in 1996.

The book was written by Ismail Pamungkas and published by PT Remaja Rosdakarya of Bandung.

The United States Information Service and four local publishers -- Yayasan Obor Indonesia, C.V. Angkasa, Rosda Jayaputra and Pustaka Sinar Harapan -- launched eight newly translated books on trade, environment and cultural analysis yesterday.

U.S. Charge d'Affaires Barbara S. Harvey presented the books to the National Library's chief Mastini Hardjoprakoso.

The books launched yesterday were translated from English. They are: Hak Cipta: Dahulu, Kini dan Esok (Copyright's Highway: From Gutenberg to the Celestial Jukebox), Kebhinekaan Amerika: Refleksi atas Sebuah Masyarakat Multikultural (The Disuniting of America: Reflections on a Multicultural Society), Kebijakan Lingkungan dan sumber Daya bagi Ekonomi Dunia (Environment and Resources Policies for the World Economy), Kerjasama Bangsa- Bagsa: Persiapan Menghadapi Abad 21 (The Work of Nations: Pre paring Ourselves for 21st Century Capitalism), Langkah-Langkah Hijau (Green Means: Living Gently with the Planet), Masyarakat Pasca Kapitalis (Post-Capitalist Society), Pertempuran Penghabi san (A Farewell to Arms), Salju di Kilimanjaro (The Snows of Kilimanjaro). (40/11)