Posts

Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024 Shortlist

/in /by

Readers can retrace millions of years of human history, explore the coldest places on Earth, and journey through a rainbow with the shortlist for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024.

The prize recognises the best science books for under 14s. The shortlist was selected by a panel of judges comprising CBeebies presenter and conservationist, Chantelle Lindsay; David Rigmand, Head Teacher at Wallace Primary School; science communicator, Dr Emily Grossman; and Dr Emrys Evans, Royal Society University Research Fellow at Swansea University.

The winner will now be chosen by young judges drawn from hundreds of schools, science centres, and community groups from across the UK.

The shortlisted books for the Young People’s Book Prize 2024 are:

All Bodies Are Wonderful by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith, b Small

Very Short Introductions for Curious Young Minds: The Expanding World of Data by Tom Jackson, illustrated by Ekaterina Gorelova and Ana Seixas, OUP

Can You Get Rainbows in Space? by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay, Puffin

Where Are You Really From? by Adam Rutherford, illustrated by Adam Ming, Wren & Rook

Engineers Making a Difference – Inventors, Technicians, Scientists and Tech Entrepreneurs Changing the World, and How You Can Join Them, by Shini Somara, illustrated by Manual Šumberac and Adam Allsuch Boardman, What On Earth

Mission: Arctic – A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole, by Katharina Weiss-Tuider, illustrated by Christian Schneider, translated by Shelley Tanaka, Greystone Kids Books

Professor Dorothy Bishop FRS, Emeritus Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology at University of Oxford and Chair of the shortlist judging panel, said, ‘It was a real treat to be tasked with reading over 100 children’s science books. These books capture the wonder of science in such inventive ways, taking readers on a journey and breaking down complicated topics.

Narrowing them down to just six was an almost-impossible task, but we are thrilled with the shortlist and hope the young judges enjoy reading them as much as we did.’

The winning book will be unveiled at an award ceremony in Scotland in March 2025 with school groups and judges invited to join on the day for a host of science related workshops and activities.

Last year’s winner was Am I Made of Stardust? by Maggie Aderin-Pocock and illustrated by Chelen Ecija.

Find out more about applying to be a school or youth group judging panel.

Fifth Diverse Book Awards Shortlist Announced

/in /by

The organisers of the Diverse Book Awards have announced this year’s shortlist. With a new category of Picture Books added to the line-up, almost 200 books were submitted across the awards covering Children’s, Young Adult and Adult Fiction.

Five years after the award was set up, the Diverse Book Awards continue to highlight the year’s outstanding diverse and inclusive books published by authors based in the UK and Ireland.

Abiola Bello, co-founder of The DBAs: ‘Once again, we have the best diverse shortlist in book publishing! It’s so exciting celebrating five years of The Diverse Book Awards and seeing such fantastic books. There is a range of familiar names and past winners, as well as debuts. The judges have been so amazing helping us with the longlist and shortlist and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone when the winners are announced in October.’

Helen Lewis, co-founder of The DBAs: ‘We all know that diversity in publishing is imperative for so many reasons; from enriching the narrative through sharing stories that help shape our understanding of the world, to building acceptance, empathy, positive self-esteem, healthy relationships, and kindness. This year’s shortlist literally has something for everyone, and I am so proud of all that The Diverse Book Awards has done, and continues to do, on a grassroots to a national scale.’

Young Adult Shortlist

A Million To One by Adiba Jaigirdar (Hodder Children’s Books)

Away With Words by Sophie Cameron (Little Tiger)

Boy Like Me by Simon James Green (Scholastic)

Gwen and Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher (Bloomsbury YA)

My Life As A Chameleon by Diana Anyakwo (Atom)

This Book Kills by Ravena Guron (Usborne)

The First Move by Jenny Ireland (Penguin Random House Children’s)

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay (David Fickling Books)

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (Usborne)

Children’s Shortlist

A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story by Richard O’ Neill (Scholastic)

Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton (Scholastic)

Glow Up Lara Bloom by Dee Benson (Hot Key Books)

Kicked Out by A. M. Dassu (Old Barn Books)

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan (Andersen Press)

Steady For This by Nathanael Lessore (Hot Key Books)

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Otter-Barry Books)

The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

The Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio (Faber)

Picture Book Shortlist

A Hero Like Me by Angela Joy & Jen Reid, illustrated by Leire Salaberria (Frances Lincoln

Children’s Books)

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf by Craig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis Martin (Little Tiger)

Grandad’s Pride by Harry Woodgate (Andersen Press)

I’m Going to Be a Princess by Stephanie Taylor, illustrated by Jade Orlando (Nosy Crow)

Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Nabila Adani (PRH Children’s)

One Little Word by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys (Frances Lincoln Children’s

Books)

Shine by Sarah Asuquo, illustrated by Nadia Fisher (Scholastic)

Stop! That’s Not My Story by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Erika Meza (Simon & Schuster)

To The Other Side by Erika Meza (Hodder Children’s Books)

For the second year running, readers in schools, libraries, book clubs, and homes across the country, voted for their number one winner in each of the four longlisted categories as part of The Readers’ Choice Award. The winners will be confirmed at the awards party on October 10th at Waterstones Piccadilly in London.

Kate Winter wins the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize for most exciting newcomer to picture book illustration

/in /by

Kate Winter is the winner of the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize awarded to the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her book The Fossil Hunter (Puffin Books), which tells the story of Mary Anning, the 19th century palaeontologist whose discoveries in the cliffs of Lyme Regis transformed scientists’ understanding of the world. Via atmospheric watercolour illustrations, the book skilfully tells Mary’s personal story and details her discoveries and their scientific impact. This is the first time an information picture book has won the award.

The Klaus Flugge Prize judges describe The Fossil Hunter as a beautiful book and admire Kate Winter’s observational skills.

Judge award-winning illustrator Petr Horáček says, ‘The Fossil Hunter stood out even in a very strong shortlist. It is a beautifully produced book in which the informative text, the story and the illustrations are in perfect harmony. The energetic, well drawn and painted illustrations are a real treat for a reader of any age.’

Fellow judge and 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Mariajo Ilustrajo adds, ‘I am fascinated by the amount of work Kate has put into the creation of this book, especially as it is her debut book. She shows great observational skills throughout. Her paintings are fresh, but delicate. There is a sense of place and atmosphere in all the images and way she uses light and the colour palette is exceptional. Many congratulations to Kate, The Fossil Hunter is utterly stunning, a true work of art.’

Kate Winter says, ‘Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for championing creativity and children’s book illustration. It was such a treat to be shortlisted among this group of talented illustrators and visual storytellers. To win the prize is amazing and makes me ever more grateful to Mary Anning and her inspiring life story that is so visually rich and such a gift to an illustrator. Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for this award and for recognising the hard work that went into this book. 

Making a book, like raising a child, really does take a village. I am forever grateful and in awe of my team at Penguin, who supported me and nurtured my creativity throughout the process and who are so dedicated to bringing important stories to children’s book publishing. I’m also grateful to my tutors on the MA in Children’s Book Illustration who taught me at Cambridge School of Art and who helped me develop my illustrative voice and find stories I felt passionate about.

She highlighted the challenge facing illustrators saying, ‘I’ve worked in creative industries all my life and it’s a very hard gig. We need to support our visual artists and highlight their importance in the world. Picture books are some of the first images our children see and bring new ideas and perspectives to young people. They really can effect change. I’m forever grateful to those who recognise the value of the visual arts, support creativity and champion children’s book illustration as an art form. Thank you, Klaus Flugge, for your part in this.’

Alongside Petr Horáčék and Mariajo Ilustrajo, this year’s judges are Olivia Ahmad, Artistic Director at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration; and Alex Forbes, founder of independent bookshop Fourbears Books. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, Director, Hay Children’s Festival.

The announcement was made on the evening of Wednesday 11 September in the library at CLPE, Webber Street, London SE1.

Kate Winter wins £5,000.

The 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist in full is:

The Crown, Emily Kapff (Walker Books)
The Dream Book, Bia Melo, (Templar)
Henri and the Machine, illustrated by Olga Shtonda, written by Isabelle Marinov (Templar)
Farah Loves Mangos, by Sarthak Sinha (Flying Eye Books)
Bright Stars of Black British History, Angela Vives, written by J.T. Williams (Thames & Hudson)
The Fossil Hunter, Kate Winter (Puffin Books)

The Wainwright Prize announces 2024 shortlist for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation

/in /by

The Wainwright Prize has announced the books on the shortlist for its 2024 award for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation. The prize showcases writing that reflects its namesake Alfred Wainwright’s values of celebrating nature and our environment, nurturing respect for the planet, and informing readers of the threats that the earth currently faces. The shortlists for the Prize for Nature Writing and the Prize for Writing on Conservation have also been announced.

The eight books on the children’s shortlist are:

Foxlight, Katya Balen (Bloomsbury Children’s)

The Observologist, Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press)

Global, Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano (Hodder Children’s Books)

Skrimsli, Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jackie Morris (Firefly Press)

Fly: A Child’s Guide to Birds and Where to Spot Them, David Lindo, illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows (Magic Cat Publishing)

Geomancer: In The Shadow of the Wolf Queen, Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Orion Children’s Books)

Impossible Creatures, Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury Children’s)

Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back, Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding (Macmillan Children’s Books)

On the shortlist, Uju Asika, Judge for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation Prize, says:

‘Each one of these shortlisted books stood out for its literary excellence, offering something unique in terms of writing voice, art style, unforgettable characters, danger, and humour. Each one evokes nature at its wildest and most wondrous and made me feel like (or want to be) a better human being for having read it.’

Her fellow judges are Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, CBeebies presenter; Dan Green, editor of The Week Junior; Konnie Huq, Blue Peter presenter and children’s author; Frann Preston Gannon, illustrator and author; Roisin Taylor – Co-Director at UK Youth for Nature.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11th September at a ceremony at Camley Street Natural Park, near Kings Cross in London, where a £7,500 prize fund will be shared.

Past winners and new voices on the shortlist for the 2024 Children’s Book Award

/in /by

The shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2024 has been announced. The Children’s Book Award is the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children and authors in the running this year include Rob Biddulph, Michael Rosen, Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve and Alex Falase-Koya.

Children nationwide are now invited to vote for their favourite of the ten shortlisted books. Online voting will open on 25th March and the deadline is 12 noon on 18th May.  The category winners and the overall winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in central London on Saturday 8th June. The proceedings will be live-streamed.

The Children’s Book Award is owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. 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 the future stars of children’s fiction and can turn popular authors into bestsellers.

The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2024 is as follows:

Books for Younger Children

Gigantic, written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

The Big Dreaming, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Daniel Egneus (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

The Fastest Tortoise in Town, written by Howard Calvert and illustrated by Karen Obuhanych (Walker Books)

The Princess and The (Greedy) Pea, written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson (Walker Books)

Books for Younger Readers

Adventure Mice: Otter Chaos, written by Philip Reeve and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre (David Fickling Books)

Marv and The Killer Plants, written by Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Paula Bowles (Oxford Children’s Books)

Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy!, written and illustrated by Thomas Flintham ( Nosy Crow)

Books for Older Readers

Code Name Kingfisher, written by Liz Kesser (Simon and Schuster)

Deadlock, written by Simon Fox (Nosy Crow)

The Final Year, written by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton ( Otter-Barry Books)

Sarah Stuffins, Children’s Book Award Coordinator says ‘The Children’s Book Award is back and it’s always a pleasure to see what brilliant stories have been chosen. Children are a very demanding and exacting audience – books need to hook them into a story rightaway, and keep them turning the pages, right to the end! And it’s a testament to these wonderful books that they’ve all not just delighted their readers, but inspired them to vote.’

Children can vote from 25th March.

Winners of the inaugural Inclusive Books for Children Book Awards

/in /by

New charity Inclusive Books for Children has announced Too Green!, You’re So Amazing! and Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit as the winners of their inaugural £30,000 book prize.

Too Green!, written by Sumana Seeboruth and illustrated by Maribel Castells, was named winner of the Baby and Toddler category. You’re So Amazing!, written by James and Lucy Catchpole and illustrated by Karen George, won Best Picture Book and the Children’s Fiction award went to Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit, written by Zanib Mian and illustrated by Kyan Cheng.

Awards judge, author and host Jeffrey Boakye said, ‘Being on the judging panel for the Inclusive Books for Children Awards has reminded me just how vital it is for there to be a range of voices and experiences within children’s publishing. The shortlist alone provides a powerful example of how rich children’s publishing can be once it welcomes a diverse breadth of narratives and perspectives. These books are joyous and celebratory, whilst also countering the limited perspectives that can come from dominant narratives.’

He added, ‘Also, a huge note of recognition from the judging panel to every writer doing this work in contexts where they are marginalised. Personally, it’s a true privilege to be able to honour and acknowledge creatives who are striving to widen the scope of children’s literature in this way. I know how difficult this can be, which is even more cause for celebration.’

You’re So Amazing! offers disabled representation, written from an Own-Voice perspective, as well as a diverse cast. Authors James and Lucy Catchpole said, ‘This inaugural IBC Awards feels meaningful to us – the shortlist is deep and strong. We’re delighted to win but really, we’re just so happy that today’s young readers have access to these stories, created by these authors and illustrators, and curated so carefully on the Inclusive Books for Children site.”

Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit features Muslim South Asian representation, an extended family and is an Own-Voices story. Zanib Main said, ‘This recognition holds special significance for me as it underscores the importance of combating negative stereotypes and providing an authentic portrayal of Muslim culture. Through my book, I aim to offer readers a window into the warmth and community found within mosques, allowing children of all backgrounds to empathise with and understand the experiences of their Muslim peers. For Muslim children, seeing their culture reflected positively in literature can be empowering and affirming, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. I wish to congratulate the other shortlisted writers whose contributions are also enriching the world of children’s literature with diverse perspectives and meaningful narratives. My hope is that this recognition not only celebrates diversity but also inspires more inclusive storytelling that depicts the rich world around us.’

Fabia Turner, head of content at IBC, said, ‘We’re incredibly proud to have launched our brand-new awards to showcase the best inclusive books on offer for children and families right now in the UK. There’s so much rich experience, authentic representation and pure joy to be found in the pages of these stories. Huge congratulations to the winners, the shortlisted authors and illustrators, and everyone else involved in making our 2024 Awards such a great success.’

The full shortlist is listed here.

Inclusive Books for Children is a charity with a free website for families that helps them easily choose books for a more inclusive bookshelf. It showcases stories that represent all types of family and features books with a variety of ethnicities, positive images of disabilities and different identities, and which celebrate Own-Voice authors and illustrators.

The IBC website runs in parallel with provision of funding to other not-for-profit organisations also working to improve inclusivity in children’s books, and access to those books.

Longlist for the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize

/in /by

The longlist for the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize is announced today (Thursday 15 February 2024). Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. It honours Klaus Flugge, founder of publisher Andersen Press and a supremely influential figure in picture books.

The Klaus Flugge Prize is the only award specifically to recognise a published picture book by a debut illustrator; the winning illustrator receives a cheque for £5,000.

Over forty books were submitted for the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize and from 27 different publishing houses; 17 have made it to the longlist.

The 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize longlist in full:

The Slug and the Snail illustrated by Olya Anima.
Written by Oein DeBhairduin, editor Siobhán Parkinson, designer Louise Millar (Little Island Books and Skein Press)

Outside illustrated by Oren Lapwing (formerly Bee Chuck)
Editor Isabel Otter, designer Emma Jennings (Little Tiger)

My Bollywood Dream illustrated by Avani Dwivedi
Editor Tanya Rosie, designer Marty Cleary, art director Deirdre McDermott (Walker Books)

We Are a Circus illustrated by Rosie Fencott
Written by Nasta, editor/designer Emma Dai’an Wright (The Emma Press)

Ning and the Night Spirits illustrated by Adriena Fong
Editor Harriet Birkinshaw, art director Lilly Gottwald (Flying Eye Books)

We Dug Up the World illustrated by Kitty Harris
Written by Alexandra Stewart, editor Lucy Twist, art director Alison Padley (Laurence King Publishing)

The Crown illustrated by Emily Kapff
Editor Pauliina Malinen, designers Audrey Keri-Nagy & Marty Cleary, art director Deirdre McDermott (Walker Books)

Who Owns the Woods? illustrated by Jess Mason
Written by Emily Hibbs, editor Harriet Evans, designer Maddie Pilkington (Little Tiger)

The Dream Book by Bia Melo
Editor Amelia Warren, designer Christopher Stanley (Templar)

Brilliant Black British History illustrated by Kingsley Nebechi
Written by Atinuke, editor Sally Beets, art director Katie Knutton (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Wolf and Bear illustrated by Kate Rolfe
Editor Suzanne Carnell, designer Jo Spooner (Two Hoots)

The Little Fear illustrated by Luke Scriven
Editor Alice Blacker, art director Candice Turvey (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Henri and the Machine illustrated by Olga Shtonda
Written by Isabelle Marinov, editor Sophie Hallam, designer Anna Ring (Templar)

Farah Loves Mangoes illustrated by Sarthak Sinha
Editor Harriet Birkinshaw, art director Lilly Gottwald (Flying Eye Books)

Bright Stars of Black British History illustrated by Angela Vives
Written by J.T. Williams, editor Anna Ridley, designer Kate Haynes (Thames and Hudson)

The Fossil Hunter illustrated by Kate Winter
Editors Anna Barnes-Robinson, Louise Rickwood and Lara Hancock, designer Monica Whelan (Puffin)

Animal Crackers illustrated by Ruby Wright
Editor Libby Hamilton, designer Ness Wood (Rocket Bird Books)

Previous Klaus Flugge Prize winners include Francesca Sanna in 2017 for The Journey, Kate Milner for My Name is Not Refugee in 2018, Jessica Love in 2019 for Julian is a Mermaid, Eva Eland for When Sadness Comes to Call in 2020, Flavia Z Drago in 2021 with Gustavo the Shy Ghost and Joseph Namara Hollis in 2022 for Pierre’s New Hair.

The 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize was awarded to Mariajo Ilustrajo for Flooded. Mariajo returns this year as a judge alongside award-winning illustrator Petr Horáček, Olivia Ahmad, Artistic Director at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration; and Alex Forbes, founder of independent bookshop Fourbears Books. The panel will be chaired by Julia Eccleshare, director of the children’s programme of the Hay Festival.

Julia Eccleshare says, ‘This, the ninth Klaus Flugge Prize longlist, is typically diverse in themes, approaches and subjects, a demonstration of the multitude of stories, true and imagined, that picture books can tell. The illustrators share an understanding of how to communicate ideas, emotions and narrative through illustration.  We’re delighted to be celebrating these accomplished and original picture books and such talented debut illustrators. Our thanks as always to Klaus Flugge for his generous sponsorship and continuous support for new picture book talent.’

The shortlist will be announced on 15 May 2024 and the winner will be revealed on 11 September 2024.

The longlists for the 2024 Yoto Carnegies

/in /by

The longlists for the 2024 Yoto Carnegies, the UK’s longest running book awards for children and young people, have been announced.

From 129 nominations, a total of 36 books have made the longlists; 19 for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, and 18 for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration, formerly the Kate Greenaway Medal. The 12 judges are children’s and youth librarians from CILIP’s Youth Libraries Group.

Tyger by SF Said and illustrated by Dave McKean (David Fickling Books) is on both prize longlists. Author and illustrator were previously nominated together for Phoenix in 2013.

There are four verse novels on the longlist for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho is on the list for The Boy Lost in the Maze. The other three are by New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander and debut authors, Cathy Faulkner and Tia Fisher. Marcus Sedgwick has been longlisted posthumously for Ravencave, the follow up to Wrath, which was also longlisted in 2023.

Previous winners and shortlisted illustrators feature on the Yoto Medal for Illustration longlist including Sydney Smith, Bob Graham, Jon Klassen and Catherine Rayner. Seven of the 18 books are published by Walker Books.

The 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing longlist is (alphabetical by author surname):

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander (Andersen Press)

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell (Usborne)

Away with Words by Sophie Cameron (Little Tiger)

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll, illustrated by Lauren Child (Simon & Schuster)

The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Kate Milner (Otter-Barry Books)

Choose Love by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček (Graffeg)

Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye (Troika Books)

Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle (Andersen Press)

Digging for Victory by Cathy Faulkner (Firefly Press)

Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher (Bonnier Books UK)

Wild Song by Candy Gourlay (David Fickling Books)

Boy Like Me by Simon James Green (Scholastic)

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan (Andersen Press)

Steady for This by Nathanael Lessore (Bonnier Books UK)

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell (Penguin)

Dogs of the Deadland by Anthony McGowan, illustrated by Keith Robinson (Oneworld Publications)

Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean (David Fickling Books)

Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick (Barrington Stoke)

Greenwild: The World Behind the Door by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Macmillan Children’s Books)

 

The 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration longlist is (alphabetical by illustrator surname):

The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker (Walker Books)

Wolves in Helicopters by Paddy Donnelly, written by Sarah Tagholm (Andersen Press)

April’s Garden by Catalina Echeverri, written by Isla McGuckin (Graffeg)

The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham (Walker Books)

Deep by Stephen Hogtun (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Quarto)

Colours, Colours Everywhere by Sharon King-Chai, written by Julia Donaldson (Macmillan Children’s Books)

The Skull by Jon Klassen (Walker Books)

The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy (Walker Books)

Tyger by Dave McKean, written by SF Said (David Fickling Books)

To the Other Side by Erika Meza (Hachette Children’s Group)

The Midnight Panther by Poonam Mistry (Bonnier Books UK)

The Bowerbird by Catherine Rayner, written by Julia Donaldson (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Global by Giovanni Rigano, written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin (Hachette Children’s Group)

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage (Walker Books)

My Baba’s Garden by Sydney Smith, written by Jordan Scott (Walker Books)

The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, written by Maggie O’Farrell (Walker Books)

What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking by Aleksandra Zając, written by Tina Oziewicz (Pushkin Press)

Maura Farrelly, Chair of Judges for The Yoto Carnegies 2024, said, ‘Huge congratulations to all of our longlisted authors and illustrators in what has been a fantastic year for books for children and young people. It has been a joy and a privilege to chair an enthusiastic and dedicated panel of judges as we read, debated and considered the nominated titles before arriving at two exciting longlists. These are books that play with language and show how powerful words and illustrations can inspire imaginations and encourage empathy as well as helping young readers make sense of an increasingly confusing world and give them hope for a brighter future.’

The shortlists for the 2024 Yoto Carnegies will be announced at a panel event at London Book Fair beginning on Wednesday 13 March. The winners’ ceremony will be hosted live and streamed on Thursday 20 June.

The winners each receive a specially commissioned golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize. The winners of the Shadowers’ Choice Medals – voted for and awarded by the children and young people – will also be presented at the ceremony. They will also receive a golden medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice.

Yoto, the innovative, screen-free audio platform for children, is the headline sponsor of the Awards. The Yoto Carnegies are also sponsored by ALCS. Scholastic are the official book supplier and First News are the official media partner.

 

Winners of the 2023 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards

/in /by

The English Association has announced the winners of the 2023 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards.

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 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, plus the winner of this year’s Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction, were announced at the online Awards Ceremony on Thursday 25 May 2023.

The winners are as follows:

Non-fiction 4-7

Invertebrates Are Cool! by Nicola Davies and Abbie Cameron (Graffeg)

Fiction 4-7

Flooded by Mariajo Illustrajo (The Quarto Group)

Non-fiction 7-11

Real-Life Dragons And Their Stories Of Survival by Anita Ganeri and Jianan Liu (Hachette Children’s Group)

Fiction 7-11

Paradise Sands by Levi Pinfold (Walker Books)

The Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction

Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn by Justin Anderson and Jo Weaver (Walker Books)

The Chair of the judging panel, Dr Sally Wilkinson, said, ‘It is a pleasure to honour prolific and well-loved children’s non-fiction authors like Nicola Davies, Anita Ganeri, and Justin Anderson, who have won many awards for their writing, film, and television work, all in celebration of our amazing natural world. These authors have worked in partnership with illustrators Abbie Cameron, Jianan Liu, and Jo Weaver to create rich, engaging texts for us to dive in to. Our fiction winners, Mariajo Illustrajo and Levi Pinfold, represent new, emerging talent and established, award-winning author-illustrators, both with lyrical, detailed works to share with us. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners, and look forward to seeing what next year’s competition brings!’

There is information on previous winners of the Picture Book Awards on the English Association website.

Danielle Jawando wins the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize

/in /by

Danielle Jawando has won the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize for her powerful coming of age story When Our Worlds Collided. First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize and its new sister award Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize founded in 2020, seek to celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers.

Praised as a ‘powerful and devastating story’, Jawando’s novel is about chance encounters, injustice and how the choices that we make can completely change our future.

The judges for the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize 2023 were author and film maker Yaba Badoe, children’s author Maisie Chan and writer Irfan Master. Master said of the winning book, ‘When Our Worlds Collided stands out for its craft, courage and connection. This is a book with a devastating impact and one that brings to light a part of Britain rarely seen in literature.’

Danielle Jawando is an author, screenwriter and Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her debut YA novel, And the Stars Were Burning Brightly, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the UKLA Book Awards and the Amazing Book Awards.

She wins £1,000 and a specially created work of art as well as a complimentary two-year membership of the London Library, partner to the Jhalak Prize.

The Jhalak Prize was awarded to Travis Alabanza for None of the Above.

Caffè Nero launches new set of book awards to celebrate the best writing from the UK and Ireland

/in /by

Caffè Nero has announced the launch of the Nero Book Awards: a new set of multi-category awards celebrating the craft of great writing and the joy of reading.

With a mission to point readers of all ages and interests in the direction of the best books of the year, the Awards aim to recognise outstanding writing and readability. Established as a not-for-profit organisation, the Nero Book Awards will be run and underwritten by the independent, family-owned coffee house group, Caffè Nero.

The Awards will recognise books of the year across four categories including Children’s Fiction. The other categories are Debut Fiction, Fiction and Non-Fiction. Judges will select shortlists of four in each category, choosing the books they would most want to recommend to others.

The Nero Book Awards will celebrate books by writers based in the UK and Ireland. They will be administered by The Booksellers Association, the trade organisation that represents booksellers across the country.

Gerry Ford, Founder and CEO, Caffè Nero, says, ‘Caffè Nero was founded in 1997 on the principle of being a warm and welcoming neighbourhood gathering spot, a place to bring people together. Our venues were intended as and have come to be gathering spots where people come to talk, read and discuss issues of the day. Most of our stores are filled with books. Moreover, for the past two decades we have been supporting the arts in a variety of ways. Over the years we have partnered with Tate Modern, Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, The National Gallery, V&A and the Royal Academy of Arts. In the music industry we are also known as keen supporters of the “talented but yet to make it”; we are the place that supports and helps outstanding up-and-coming singer songwriters. So, with the arts as part of our company culture – these Awards are a natural fit for us.’

Meryl Halls, MD, Booksellers Association, adds, ‘This is a hugely exciting moment for the world of books. The Nero Book Awards do that rare thing of celebrating books across multiple genres, with an emphasis on commercial books with wide appeal. With its brand values centred around quality, craft and community, plus its strong existing connection to the arts, Caffè Nero is a perfect partner with whom to establish these brand-new Awards.

‘The Nero Book Awards are first and foremost for readers, but their impact will be felt widely – by authors, publishers, agents, book retailers, libraries and festivals – as they create discussion around nominated books and drive consumer engagement with bookshops and libraries. We at The Booksellers Association, and on behalf of our bookshop members, welcome the opportunities these Awards offer the world of books, by celebrating and showcasing the writing talent in the UK and Ireland.’

The inaugural Awards will open for entries on 19th June 2023.

Shortlisted books, category winners, and an overall winner will be selected by judges – from booksellers and authors to media commentators and influencers. The shortlist of 16 books will be announced in late 2023 before four Category winners – one of which will be selected as the overall ‘Book of the Year’, The Nero Gold Prize – are revealed in early 2024. Further details will be announced in due course.

The Awards prize fund totals £50,000, with the four Category Award winners receiving £5,000 each and the winner of the Book of the Year receiving an additional £30,000.

A website and social media channels are now live.

Jhalak Prize 2023 – shortlist announced

/in /by

The shortlist for the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize has been announced. The Jhalak Prizes celebrate books by British/British resident BAME writers.

Six books are selected for each Prize and, as with previous years, the shortlists demonstrate the exceptional quality and breadth of work produced by British writers of colour today.

The 2023 shortlist for the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize is:

In Our Hands, Lucy Farfort (Tate)
When Our Worlds Collided, Danielle Jawando (Simon & Schuster)
Mia And The Lightcasters, Janelle McCurdy, ill. Ana Latese (Faber)
Ellie Pillai Is Brown, Christine Pillainayagam (Faber)
Rebel Skies, Ann Sei Lin (Walker)
Dadaji’s Paintbrush, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, ill. Ruchi Mhasane (Andersen Press)

The Judges for the Children’s and Young Adult Prize are authors Yaba Badoe, Maisie Chan and Irfan Master.

Commenting on the Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize shortlist the judges said:

‘A clarion call for change which confirms that if we work together, share ideas and pool our dreams, we’re never too small to make a difference.’ Yaba Badoe on Lucy Farfort’s In Our Hands.

‘When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando is a powerful and devastating story that deals with structural racism in a balanced and nuanced way. Really exceptional characters that define and shape the story with little tendrils of anger, frustration, hope and joy.’ Irfan Master

‘Mia and the Lightcasters is a fast-paced fantasy children’s book with mythical beasts, martial arts and humour. Janelle McCurdy is an exciting debut author who taps into the interests of young readers, especially gamers and those who want to be transported to a totally different world. I am looking forward to seeing what else springs up from such an imaginative mind.’ Maisie Chan

‘Ellie Pillai is Brown by Christine Pillainayagam is an expertly-crafted YA rom-com with multi-layered themes and its own unique soundtrack. I loved the voice of the main character and was rooting for her the whole way through the book. I wish this book existed when I was a teen! It’s fantastic!’ Maisie Chan.

‘Easily one of the best YA novels I’ve read this year, Rebel Skies is an outstanding debut with vivid characters and excellent world-building. Once immersed, the power of Ann Sei Lin’s writing and vision propelled to a conclusion that left me gasping for more.’ Yaba Badoe.

‘Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a beautifully touching book, full of love, expression and overcoming grief. Simply done yet hits all the emotions – there wasn’t a single page I didn’t linger over.’ Irfan Master.

The 2022 Prize was won by Sabba Khan for her mesmerising graphic novel The Roles We Play (Myriad). The Jhalak Children’s and Young Adult Prize was won by Maisie Chan for Danny Chung does not do maths (Piccadilly Press).

This year sees the return of the partnership launched in 2021 with National Book Tokens, which will help increase awareness and support for the nominated titles amongst bookshops across the UK and Ireland.

The winners will be announced at the British Library on Thursday 25 May 2023.  Each winner will be awarded £1,000 and a specially created work of art as part of the ongoing Jhalak Art Residency.  This year’s artists are Sharon Adebisi and Diane Ewen, respectively. To find out more about the Residency and the 2023 artists, please click here.

The Jhalak Prize has also partnered with the London Library for the second year.  All shortlisted authors will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the library and will be invited to attend an event to showcase the shortlists on Thursday 18th May.

Inaugural James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation awarded to The Biggest Footprint

/in /by

The Biggest Footprint: Eight Billion Humans. One Clumsy Giant by Rob and Tom Sears, published by Canongate, has won the 2022 James Cropper Wainwright Prize. Now in its nineth year, the Prize is named after much-loved nature writer Alfred Wainwright and is awarded annually to the books which most successfully inspire readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world.

This is the first time that books for children have been included.

The 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal winner, October, October by Katya Balen, illustrated by Angela Harding (Bloomsbury) is Highly Commended.

In their book, writer/illustrators the Sears brothers use statistics to present the challenges of climate change in a new light, in a fun, accessible and empowering story that will inspire younger readers to make the world a better place. Chair of Judges, CBBC Presenter, Gemma Hunt said, ‘This totally unique and highly innovative book captured all our imaginations. It’s an empowering, insightful tale that helps us all, at any age, understand and take ownership of the biggest threat of our lifetime. Such a clever and original book that feels totally deserving of our inaugural prize.’

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).