The winners of the 2024 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards were announced today, Saturday 25 May, at the Awards Ceremony in London.

Established in 1995, the awards are presented by the English Association to the best children’s picture books of the year.  Awards are given to Fiction and Non-Fiction in age ranges 4-7 years and 7-11 years. The winning books are chosen by the editorial board of English 4-11, the journal for primary teachers published by the English Association, the National Association for the Teaching of English, and the United Kingdom Literacy Association, from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers and Primary specialists. Each year, one of the books submitted to the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards is selected as the recipient of the Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction.

The winners in each category are:

Non-fiction 4-7

LIFESIZE Deadly Animals by Sophy Henn (Farshore)

The judges said, ‘The textured, bold illustrations and conversational text beg for this book to be read aloud.  Young readers are promised an adventure and won’t be disappointed.  There are plenty of interesting facts (including some to make you squirm) interspersed with fun questions.’

Fiction 4-7

Holey Moley by Bethan Clarke and Anders Frang (Little Tiger)

‘If you delight in the hilarious and revel in the ridiculous, you’re going to love this romp in rhyme’ said the judges, ‘The illustrations are bold and colourful with eye-catching simplicity. The words are playful, poetic and laugh-out-loud funny. Expect your classroom to reverberate with nonsense rhymes after reading this book and get ready to read it again and again.’

Non-fiction 7-11

Brilliant Black British History by Atinuke and Kingsley Nebechi (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

‘One of the most powerful children’s non-fiction books that has been published over the past few years’ said the judges. ‘It’s a book that will certainly make children think and reflect, as well as providing a fantastic springboard to further reading and learning. It links beautifully to history and geography topics that are taught in primary schools and will help ensure that Black History is embedded throughout the entire school year and not just for a month in October.’

Fiction 7-11

The Panda’s Child by Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher (Otter-Barry Books)

‘This tale explores themes of love, loyalty and connections with nature,’ said the judges. ‘The story is recounted through lyrical prose in engaging chapters, ending with a magical conclusion. An exciting plot pits a brave young hero against a group of cruel, mercenary strangers. The hero’s intelligence and care for the forest and its inhabitants outwit and overcome the wickedness of the men; a wonderful theme in a book which will appeal to readers.’

The Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction

Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung (Kingfisher)

‘This inspirational book is crammed with detail and incredible, jaw-dropping illustrations’ said the judges. ‘Facts about elephants (in the form of Chang’s notes and sketches) are skilfully woven throughout the text which help the reader to appreciate the unique nature of the animal… a beautiful and, ultimately, uplifting and empowering story, highlighting the vital importance of wildlife conservation.’

Chair of the judging panel, Dr Sally Wilkinson, commented ‘There’s something for every classroom: non-fiction to pore over and explore, and fiction to delight and entrance. It’s a pleasure to celebrate debut books (like Bethan Frang’s wonderfully silly Holey Moley, illustrated perfectly by Anders Frang) alongside books from established and well-loved authors and illustrators (like Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher’s lyrical tale, The Panda’s Child). We’re celebrating books that are deserved winners of a host of other awards, like Atinuke and Kingsley Nebechi’s powerful and empathetic Brilliant Black History. Sophy Henn’s series of LIFESIZE animals continues with Deadly Animals, sure to enrapture teachers and pupils alike; and Saving H’Non: Chang and the Elephant builds on the success of Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung’s previous collaboration. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the publishers, authors, and illustrators who sent in books to the Awards, and we look forward to reading next year’s submissions!’

You can find information on previous winners of the Picture Book Awards on the English Association website.