It’s back! Shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2022 announced
The Children’s Book Award 2022 shortlist has been announced, with children choosing their favourite books from the last two years after a year-long hiatus. The challenges of getting books out to the child judges in lockdown meant the award did not run last year.
Children across the UK are now invited to vote for their favourite of the ten shortlisted books. The deadline for online voting is 12 noon on Friday 27th May. The category winners and the author of the best children’s book published in the 2020 & 2021 nomination period will be announced at an awards ceremony which takes place in Central London on Saturday 25th June, and will be live-streamed via the FCBG Youtube channel.
The Children’s Book Award is owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. Previous past winners include J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times. The award has often been the first to recognise future stars of children’s fiction and has the ability to turn popular authors into bestsellers.
The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2022 is as follows:
Books for Younger Children
Stella and The Seagull, written by Gorgina Stevens and illustrated by Izzy Burton, published by OUP
Perdu, written and illustrated by Richard Jones, published by Simon and Schuster
Octopus Shocktopus!, written by Peter Bently and illustrated by Steven Lenton, published by Nosy Crow
Barbara Throws a Wobbler, written and illustrated by Nadia Shireen, published by Penguin Random House
Books for Younger Readers
The Highland Falcon Thief, written by M G Leonard and Sam Sedgman, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
The Griffin Gate, written by Vashti Hardy and illustrated by Natalie Smillie, published by Barrington Stoke
Anisha Accidental Detective, written by Serena Patel and illustrated by Emma McCann, published by OUP
Books for Older Readers
The Midnight Guardians, written by Ross Montgomery, published by Walker Books
When The World Was Ours, written by Liz Kessler, published by Simon and Schuster
The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne, written by Jonathan Stroud, published by Walker Books
Sarah Stuffins, Children’s Book Award Coordinator says ‘The challenges of the last few years meant we were unable to run the Children’s Book Award last year, but this year the children have had two years’ of wonderful stories to choose from. We’re thrilled to be showcasing their choices in this exciting shortlist that demonstrates the superb talent and creativity in children’s books today.’
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups was set up as a charity in 1968 by Anne Wood, the Founder and Creator of Ragdoll Productions and the originator of The Teletubbies. It acts as an umbrella organisation for local Children’s Book Groups all over the UK. The groups organise a variety of activities including author events and other activities that promote the enjoyment of children’s books.
