Look Up! Winners of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020 named

 

Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola have been named winners of the Illustrated Books category in the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020. Their debut picture book Look Up! also scooped the overall winners’ prize. They win £5,000 plus the promise of ongoing commitment to their writing and illustrating careers from Waterstones.

Florentyna Martin, Waterstones Children’s Buyer, said: ‘The mould of traditional picture book storytelling is redefined for a new era in this joyful and energetic tale; an inviting narrative plot is interspersed with nuggets of non-fiction, satisfying curious young minds with a multi faceted experience away from screens. More than ever before, we are exploring non-fiction and inspirational characters at younger ages, and we champion Rocket’s boundless enthusiasm, curious nature and kind spirit as a hero for us all. She is a little person with big dreams, who has captured our hearts.’

Liz Hyder’s Bearmouth won the Older Readers category and High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson was named winner in the Younger Readers category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were six books on each of the three category shortlists.

The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize champions new and emerging talent in children’s writing and illustration and is unique in that it is voted for solely by booksellers.

Previous Winners of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize:

2005 The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

2006 The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

2007 Darkside by Tom Becker

2008 Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

2009 The Thirteen Treasures by Michelle Harrison

2010 The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies

2011 Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari

2012 The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle

2013 Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

2014 Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell

2015 Blown Away by Rob Biddulph

2016 My Brother Is a Superhero by David Solomons

2017 The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

2018 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

2019 The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf