Meet the judges!

We thought it was about time we told you a bit more about his year’s intrepid Oscar’s Book Prize judges. TV and radio’s Angellica Bell joins queen of the breakfast show, Lorraine Kelly and illustrator extraordinaire Axel Scheffler to form our celebrity trio for Oscar’s Book Prize 2021 alongside regular judges, Viveka Alvestrand, who founded the £5,000 literary award in memory of her son, and Simon Johnson, Director of Amazon EU Books. You can read a little bit more about Viveka and Simon in their bios, but for now let’s find out more about our new judge’s and what they’ll be looking out for during this year’s prize cycle:

What is your earliest or best memory of reading a book as a young child?

Axel: I don't really have a first reading memory, but there is evidence that I enjoyed books - you can see a photo of me reading as a tiny child on my website!

Lorraine: I grew up in a house full  of books. My mum and dad taught me to read and write before I went to primary  school. They weren’t pushy, they just made it fun and the gift of loving books is one of the best they have ever given to me. My first books were Dr Seuss and The Golden Treasury of Faith Tales, then I got into  Just William books and Enid Blyton.  

Angellica: I wasn't surrounded by books growing up but once I was old enough, I would go to the library every Saturday and spend the morning there reading books in the children's section. I remember loving the Judy Blume books and had a light attached to my bottom bunk and read well into the night. I used books for escapism and to see the world differently.

 

Who was your favourite person to read with as a child? Who do you read picture books with now?

Axel: I think my Mum read some Grimm fairy tales to me when I was a child which I liked. I've read every night to my daughter since she was little, and we've enjoyed all sorts of different books together. But now she is 13 and too old for picture books. I do read them when I do school visits though ...

Lorraine: My mum read to me as a child and it was something I really enjoyed doing with my daughter Rosie when she was little.  Each Peach Pear Plum was a favourite and I read her all my old books which I’d kept and still have. I can’t throw out a book as they are too precious. My house is full of books of all kinds.

Angellica: Everyone's experience of reading is different and not everyone has the idyllic start with books, it came later for me and something I had to instil in myself. I truly understand the benefits now and every night one of us would read a picture book to the little ones even when they were babies. I have also read for Cbeebies bedtime stories and am often asked to record books for children. I just love it. Picture books allow the development of thought. ideas and confidence and a way for children to be able to articulate what they see. 

 

What was your favourite picture book as a child, and/or of all time?

Axel: I had a picture book called Hirsch Heinrich by Fred Rodrian and Werner Klemke which I really liked, and that I've still got. Now I like anything by William Steig - I don't have one favourite book.

Lorraine: My favourite  picture book was One Fish Two Fish by  Dr Seuss but my grandmother gave me a copy of Struwelpeter  which is a pretty macabre book for kids full of terrible stories about  what happens to you if you are a naughty child. It scared the living daylights out of me. 

Angellica: I love picture books and have so many at home which I'm keeping just in case! The ones that stand out in my head at this moment are The Lorax, I Want my Hat Back and The Day the Crayons Quit! I've had fun reading them over the years.

 

What sort of books are you hoping to discover when reading for the Prize?

Axel: Well obviously an exciting text with amazing pictures!

Lorraine: I’m hoping to discover stories that really understand children and don’t talk down to them or patronise them in any way. Kids are very smart and they know what they like, and more importantly what  they don’t like, and they can spot when an author doesn’t “get” them. 

Obviously interesting, exciting stories that  spark their imagination and make them want to read even more books, and also that parents can use to tell their own stories. 

Angellica: I'm hoping to discover books that are new, exciting, and imaginative. I want them to make me think too. There needs to be some great art as well as memorable text that can be translated well when read out. That's what I'll be looking out for in the winning book.

 

What do you think the best thing about picture books are?

Axel: I think picture books are very important in helping children get to know and understand the world around them. They can learn about other places and people that might not be in their life experience, and understand how life can be represented in images. Reading books together helps to create a bond between parents and their children, cuddling up together to read a book is calming and reassuring for both.

Lorraine: The best thing is using the story to teach children without it being a chore and to see their imaginations fly. The best picture books never gets dull no matter how many times you read them to your children because there’s something new to discover. 

Angellica: Picture books are fantastic as they allow a connection to develop between the child and reader. When I've gone into schools to read to children, I love how picture books spark conversations and thought processes which can be explored. I also believe it helps children to work out how to express themselves and learn basic words. It's just so much fun for both the adult and child. It breaks down barriers and they end up asking you all sorts of questions! 

 

What motivated you to be involved in the Prize this year?

Axel: It's always a nice experience to discuss picture books with other judges and I do hope it can happen in person and not online. I also think prizes are important to raise awareness of picture books (- though I'm not quite sure how much they get noticed beyond the industry).

Lorraine: I just want children to have the chance to discover the joy of reading  and if we can get them to do that at an early age they will be able to open a door to a world of wonders. Reading is one if the great joys of life and if we can capture children’s imaginations when they are still tiny we will be giving them a wonderful gift. 

Angellica: I guess having worked in Children's television at the start of my career and having friends with little ones and a family of my own, I understand the benefits of books and the importance of getting children into good reading habits from day one.