Shortlist Spotlight: A Mouse Called Julian by Joe Todd Stanton
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
We can’t believe it’s already time to take a closer look at our final shortlisted book: A Mouse Called Julian by Joe Todd Stanton!
It’s Joe’s second time on the Oscar’s Book Prize shortlist – he was also shortlisted in 2018 for The Secret of Black Rock. Will it be his first as a winner? Please read on for more information about this magical book and its author - and at the end please follow the links to our YouTube channel to watch Joe very patiently answer all of our Q&A questions! Thanks, Joe!
What’s the Story?
Julian is a mouse who is perfectly happy avoiding other animals. They seem to just get in the way, and sometimes even try to eat him! But one day, Julian has an unexpected dinner guest... When the fox tries to sneak into Julian's burrow for a tasty bite of mouse, it finds itself stuck headfirst in Julian's front door! At first alarmed and wary, they soon find themselves having a lovely dinner together, and it's not long before each realises that they have found in the other a lifelong friend.
What the Judges said:
‘Intricate illustrations of the natural world are a glorious backdrop to a story of enemies that become friends’ – James Ashton
About the Author
Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton and was taught to draw by his mother, who is also an illustrator. He studied at UWE Bristol, receiving a First Class Honours in Illustration. Todd-Stanton has been commissioned to work for clients such as Oxford University Press, Usborne Publishing and Aquila magazine. His second picture book, The Secret of Black Rock, won the Waterstone’s Children's Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book in 2018.
And finally….
Please check out Joe’s brilliant answers to our Q&A here - including his favourite picture books as a child, whether he prefers writing or drawing, and how he came up with the idea for Julian! Thanks so much, Joe.
Does Joe prefer writing or Drawing: https://youtu.be/bkSXfnsPyVY
What lockdown reading would he recommend? https://youtu.be/hj82sBRBVVs
What was his own favourite children’s book? https://youtu.be/ZdrftyNraEU
Find out more on our Oscar’s Book Prize YouTube channel!
Shortlist Spotlight: I Am A Tiger by Karl Newson and Ross Collins
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
Our fifth shortlisted story is I Am A Tiger by Karl Newson and Ross Collins (Macmillan Children’s Books).
Please see below for everything and anything you might want to know about this fantastic story and its creators - and as a real treat, at the end is a link to a Roar-some reading by the authors, as well as some excellent answers to our very nosy Q&A! We are also in awe of the amazing #OBP20 drawing from Ross as above - a huge thank you from us!
What’s the Story?
A witty and clever story about a little mouse with very big ideas – she believes she is a tiger!
She manages to convince a raccoon, a fox, a snake and a bird that she is a tiger, and that they are not what they think they are! But when a real tiger turns up, can the persuasive little rodent manage to persuade the tiger that he is a mouse!
With vibrant artwork by award-winning illustrator Ross Collins, and delightful characters created by rising star Karl Newson, I am a Tiger is a story that will amuse and entertain everyone, from the smallest mouse to the biggest tiger. This story has already won the Leicester Our Best Picture Book Award, and the West Sussex Picture Book Award - will it be third time lucky with us?
What the Judges said:
‘This book made me laugh and laugh. I adored the swagger and confidence of the irrepressible mouse, and the glorious theme of not letting others tell you who or what you are. A surprising and unexpected story - I loved it.’ – Francesca Simon
About the Author and Illustrator:
Karl Newson is a children’s book writer and illustrator, living in London who grew up in Norfolk. He enjoys writing stories on a variety of topics, from quiet bedtime reads, to wild, imaginative, wondrous tales. The sometimes writer of short poems, Karl enjoys reading adventure stories, watching science fiction films, and listening to music from the 1960s. He loves to gaze at the stars and wonder why… and always gets his best ideas just before bed. Karl is the author of Here Comes the Sun, Fum, Little Grey's Birthday Surprise and A Bear is a Bear. I am a Tiger is one of three picture books he has with Macmillan, who have teamed him with award-winning illustrator Ross Collins. http://karlnewson.com/about
Ross Collins was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Growing up he was particularly fond of drawing the bionic man and precariously swinging backwards on chairs. He went on to study illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1994 and in the same year he won the Macmillan Children’s Book Prize for The Sea Hole. Since then he has gone on to illustrate over 100 books and has written several too. His picture book The Elephantom was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal and has now been staged at London's Royal National Theatre by the creative team behind Warhorse and in 2016 This Zoo is Not for You won the inaugural Amnesty CILIP Honour. When Ross is not creating children’s books he enjoys working on character development for animation studios such as Laika and Disney. He lives with his partner Jacqui, his young son, and his dog Hugo, in Scotland.
Author and Illustrator Q & A:
What was your own favourite picture book as a child?
Karl: I can only remember one picture book: Panda and the Snow by Oda Taro. I don't remember much about it other than the cover, sadly, but it's stuck with me all these years and always forms the answer to this question! It's my picture book go-to of my yesterdays :)
Ross: Too many to count but I did love Sendak’s creatures in Where the Wild Things Are and was quite obsessed with pouring over Richard Scarry’s amazing townscapes.
What do you think the best thing is about picture books?
Karl: EVERYTHING about picture books is the best thing! The words and the pictures working together to create something so short and yet so full of story is nothing short of magic. There is always more than meets the eye and always something to take away with you. For me, as a writer, the best thing is seeing my words brought to life by an illustrator when I get to see the characters for the first time. And then, when the book is published and out in the wilds of a bookshop, the best thing is seeing it being enjoyed by someone else. To know that little idea I had isn't mine anymore - it belongs to everyone who wants it, is wonderful. There's something amazing in that, I think.
Ross: Simply getting kids interested in reading, stories, drawing, imagination, quiet time with someone they love, words, pictures – how long have you got?
What is your favourite thing about illustrating?
Ross: It’s either when very occasionally I make myself laugh with something I’ve drawn or more often when I just slightly change the way a character is standing or looking and it alters the whole tone of the piece – it’s amazing what you can do with a little line.
What is your favourite thing about writing for children?
Karl: My favourite thing about writing is that I can make up the rules to my stories! There's no right or wrong, so if I want to say 'my best friend is a blue polar bear called Victor who lives under my bed and only eats biscuits' then that's what it'll be. I like having fun, and breaking the rules. Stories can be anything we can think of. It's brilliant!
Tell us the best thing about this book.
Karl: For me, the best thing about this book is the character of Mouse. Not just the way she handles a situation, but in that to me 'Mouse' is a she, but to Ross, Mouse is a he, and to readers Mouse can be anything they want him/her/them to be. Just as in the book, Mouse says "I am a tiger!" this story is about being who you want to be, and making it fit for you.
Ross: It’s Karl’s funny writing. The second I heard the voice of the mouse in my head I thought – I want to illustrate this hilarious annoying rodent.
What was your inspiration for the story?
Karl: The idea for it came when I thought about how silly it could be for something to confidently declare it was something else - something that it clearly wasn't! I started small, with a mouse, and I knew that for it to work Mouse had to believe she was something much bigger and louder in colour and voice and character... and a tiger seemed to tick all those boxes. I knew there'd be some other animals disputing Mouse's claim, and I knew at some point a tiger would have to turn up, and that mouse would handle each of these scenarios with simple but effective and convincing (or not!) responses that always meant 'I said I am, so I am, and that's that'. I knew it had to end on a new direction that meant it's OK to change your mind... It was such a simple idea that fell into my notebook and pretty much wrote itself. I think Mouse wrote it, really.
What are you writing/drawing next?
Karl: I'm currently working on a ship-shaped chapter book idea (and a couple more ideas for Mouse to explore!)
Ross: I’m currently drawing Sherlock Holmes – as a Penguin. People pay me to do this you know…
OBP – like everything else - is slightly altered due to the lockdown. We’ve been enjoying seeing all the wonderful and inventive things that authors and illustrators have provided for children at home. What has yours been?
Karl: I've really enjoyed watching author and illustrator videos. It's something I hope sticks around in the long run. I've made my own book club, too - The Mudwaffler Club! We read stories and make things and have lots of fun. It's been nice to try something different and escape my desk for a while.
Ross: I produced a little piece on social distancing and the NHS with my characters from There’s a Bear on My Chair. I wanted to do something to thank all the amazing teachers, librarians and carers out there who have asked to read my books to their kids while at home.
And finally, what book would you recommend to read to entertain young children during the lockdown?
Karl: I'm going to be greedy and suggest two! A picture book: This Book Can Read Your Mind by Susannah Lloyd and Jacob Grant is fantastic fun and will have you full of giggles. And a chapter book: The Dragon in the Library (and its sequel) by Louie Stowell (illustrated by Davide Ortu) is wildly imaginative and takes you away on a magic adventure.
Ross: There’s a book by Tony Fucile called Let’s Do Nothing which is a really funny look at imagination and the inability of kids to sit still for five minutes. I think it might speak well to the times we are currently in!
Thanks so much, Karl and Ross!
To watch Karl and Ross read I Am A Tiger please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwL8rVi3LXM&feature=youtu.be
Shortlist Spotlight: Tad by Benji Davies
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
Our second shortlisted story is Tad by Benji Davies, published by HarperCollins. We’re thrilled to have Benji back on the shortlist for the second time – he went on to win OBP in 2014 with The Storm Whale. Not long to wait now to find out if he will become OBP’s first double winner…
What’s the Story?
Meet Tad.
She’s the smallest tadpole in a big pond, and lives there with all her tadbrothers and tadsisters.
Although something else lives there too… BIG BLUB! And when everyone else starts to disappear, Tad starts to wonder if Big Blub will get her too…
Or is everyone else going somewhere else; somewhere better? And if so, will Tad ever get there too?
A big story about a tiny tadpole – about growing up, branching out, and taking a leap into life.
About the Author:
Benji Davies was born and raised in Peterborough. After studying animation at university he spread his creative wings, working on a variety of illustration and animation projects. His picture books have won numerous awards, including Oscar’s Book Prize, an AOI World Illustration Prize and the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Prize. He lives and works in London.
What the Judges said:
‘A wonderful coming of age tale of adventure, and nature’ – Dermot O’Leary
As if this wasn’t enough, Benji has kindly made the following video for us, telling us all about the book! Please follow the link below to listen - it gives a fantastic insight to a very plucky tadpole, and the brain of her amazing creator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0TAWW1arNc&feature=youtu.be
Shortlist Spotlight: The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt and Alex Willmore
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
Our third shortlisted story is The Runaway Pea by author Kjartan Poskitt and illustrator Alex Willmore (Simon & Schuster).
What’s the Story?
It's time for tea, but one pesky pea has decided to ping himself off the plate in search of a party!
The rogue pea shoots, flings and bounces across the kitchen as he embarks on his perilous adventure - but will he find the fun he is looking for or is the kitchen a scarier place than he thought?
This quirky caper will show you just what can happen when you take your eye off your dinner for a second!
What the Judges said:
“The Runaway Pea was beautifully illustrated and made me (and my sons) laugh out loud. I particularly enjoyed the naughty fruit hiding under the fridge.” – Judge Simon Johnson, Amazon Director of EU Books
About the author and illustrator:
Kjartan Poskitt is the well-loved author of many hilarious books for children including Agatha Parrot and the Murderous Maths series, translated into over 30 languages. With a background in children's television, he is a tireless and brilliant performer. He was born and lives in York.
Alex Willmore is an illustrator and designer from Northampton whose passion lies in character design. A love of animals and picture books have inspired Alex and led to a career in illustration, and he has gone on to produce illustrations for a number of publishers, creating puzzles, surface pattern for kidswear, greeting cards and picture books.
Please fllow the links below for some AWESOME answers to our Q&A from Kjartan and Alex - what an amazing pair!
Kjartan – https://youtu.be/DUEl8eDpGOM
Alex – https://youtu.be/24V0kiHJLhs
(And please see above for a fantastic celebratory pea courtesy of Alex!)
Shortlist Spotlight: Alphonse, There's Mud On The Ceiling! by Daisy Hirst
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
Our second shortlisted story is Alphonse, There's Mud On The Ceiling! by Daisy Hirst
What’s the Story?
This is the third adventure for mischievous monster siblings Alphonse and Natalie. Normally they love living up on thier flat on the 7th floor but one day they think up a new game - wriggly worms in the jungle. Things are going to get messy because that’s no game for indoors! This fantastic frolic around their little flat is sure to inspire families to explore outside and to keep the muddy fun off the upholstery!
What the Judges said:
“A terrifically zany sense of energy and joyous abandon are created by the quirky, free-form illustration and hand-lettering. It is impossible not to feel captivated by the boundless creativity of Natalie and Alphonse which abounds through their imagination and play and is perfectly evoked both through text and illustration.” - Jake Hope
About the author
Daisy Hirst studied English and Creative Writing at Warwick University and Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art before becoming an author-illustrator. She is the creator of Hilda and the Runaway Baby; Alphonse, That Is Not OK to Do!, which has been translated into nine different languages worldwide; I Do Not Like Books Anymore! and The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head, which was awarded an Ezra Jack Keats Honor, shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize, and selected as The Times' Children's Book of the Week. Daisy lives in Cambridge. Find her online at daisyhirst.com and on Twitter and Instagram as @Deenface.
Daisy’s Q&A
What was your own favourite picture book as a child?
Quentin Blake’s Angelo was one of my favourites. The picture of Angelo’s family (of travelling musicians and acrobats) around their campfire might be my favourite picture book illustration.
What do you think the best thing is about picture books?
By having the pictures do so much of the storytelling they give small children power, because they have this very immediate access to the story.
Do you prefer writing or drawing?
That’s so hard! I find drawing less angsty, but I wouldn’t like to do without either. When I’m making up picture books I doodle words and pictures all muddled up together.
Tell us the best thing about this book
It contains many of the things I like best: stars, sticks, tents and campfires – even though, apart from a short trip to the park, everything happens within the small flat (and its balcony) where little monsters Natalie and Alphonse live. It also contains the word “squoze.”
What was your inspiration for the story?
This is my third book about Natalie and Alphonse and when I was first coming up with it I actually wanted them to go off on a big adventure – a camping trip, or at least a visit to a friend’s wild, jungly garden. I think I felt a bit cramped by the thought of making another book set in their home. My editor and art director helped me find out that this cramped feeling was the very thing that needed exploring. It’s taken me ages to realize you don’t need a grand stage to tell a story that means something to small children, who are just getting to grips with their own little bit of world.
There’s a lot of my brother and me in all the Natalie and Alphonse books and, in this one especially, there’s a lot of my nieces too.
What are you writing next?
A few different things, but one is ANOTHER Natalie and Alphonse book. I’m also thinking about monster baby books (my first two are coming out later this year and I’m hoping I’ll get to make some more).
OBP – like everything else - is slightly altered due to the lockdown. We’ve been enjoying seeing all the wonderful and inventive things that authors and illustrators have provided for children at home. What has yours been?
I love seeing the responses to Carson Ellis’ Drawing prompts on instagram (good for children and adults) and Chris Haughton has all manner of storytime videos, animations and activities on his facebook page. I’ve got some free activity sheets at www.daisyhirst.com/freestuff (including one called Naming the Pigeons, based on one of Natalie and Alphonse’s favourite things to do).
And finally, what book would you recommend to read to entertain young children during the lockdown?
Maybe Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop by Kitty Crowther – it’s about a little frog called Jeremy who’s frightened by strange noises he hears in the night, and how his dad helps him feel better. The illustrations are quietly glorious, the frogs are one of my favourite literary families and I love their watery home too.
Shortlist Spotlight: The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Between now and the winner announcement on 25th May we will be looking at each of our fabulous shortlisted books and their authors and illustrators in turn (although in no particular order).
First up is The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, published by Nosy Crow.
What’s the Story?
When a strange-looking animal arrives pulling a big suitcase, the other animals are curious. What on earth could be inside that suitcase? A teacup? Maybe. A table and chair? Perhaps. A whole home and hillside with trees? This stranger must be fibbing! But when the animals break into the suitcase and discover a very special photograph, they begin to understand what the strange creature has been through, and together they create a very special welcome present…
About the Author:
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is originally from Bradford and studied illustration and graphic design at Bradford College of Art. In 2000 he moved to France where, amongst other things, he was an English teacher before working in newspaper layout and design. When his children were small he realised he loved the picture books he read to them, sometimes even more than his children did – the Picture Book Bug had truly bitten. Chris has since written and illustrated several books and is currently thinking about the next one, probably with a cuppa in hand at home near Limoges. He likes listening to and making music, wandering around the countryside, a bit of running and riding a bike. His favourite season is autumn and his favourite colour is green.
What the Judges said:
Viveka Alvestrand: “This book touched my heart. It has a beautiful melancholy about it. The illustrations are wonderfully simple and emotive and – crucially – the sad beginning leads to a happy ending!”
And for added delight please follow these links:
For a wonderful reading of the book by Chris:
https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9zAlCvZgzcWzgmcQIoU_
And for Chris’ excellent answers to our shortlist Q&A:
https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/dC95CwrjAIL3QMfqW789
And we’re hugely grateful to Chris for the amazing original OBP doodle above!
OSCAR’S BOOK PRIZE 2020 SHORTLIST REVEAL
Six books are in the running for annual prize recognising the best in new books for under-fives, with a £5,000 prize.
A record number of entries were received for this year’s award, which is supported by Amazon and the National Literacy Trust
LONDON, May 4th, 2020 – The shortlist for Oscar’s Book Prize 2020 has today been revealed and, for the first time, six books are in the running for this year’s £5,000 award. The prize, which celebrates the best storytelling for children under five, received the highest number of entries in its seven-year history – 128 submissions from children’s writers and illustrators from across the UK.
The prize was created in honour of Oscar Ashton, who loved stories that fed his imagination. He was three and a half when he died from an undetected heart condition in 2012. The award is supported by Amazon and the National Literacy Trust.
This year’s winner was chosen by a judging panel comprising of Dermot O’Leary, the presenter and children’s author, Francesca Simon, creator of the Horrid Henry children’s books series, Jake Hope, Youth Group Libraries chair and Simon Johnson, Amazon Director of EU Books. Oscar’s parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton complete the judging panel.
This year’s shortlisted books are:
A Mouse Called Julian by Joe Todd Stanton (Flying Eye Books)
James Ashton said: “Intricate illustrations of the natural world are a glorious backdrop to a story of enemies that become friends.”
Alphonse, There’s Mud on the Ceiling! by Daisy Hirst (Walker Books)
Jake Hope said: “A terrifically zany sense of energy and joyous abandon are created by the quirky, free-form illustration and hand-lettering. It is impossible not to feel captivated by the boundless creativity of Natalie and Alphonse which abounds through their imagination and play and is perfectly evoked both through text and illustration.”
I Am a Tiger by Karl Newson and Ross Collins (Macmillan)
Francesca Simon said: “This book made me laugh and laugh. I adored the swagger and confidence of the irrepressible mouse, and the glorious theme of not letting others tell you who or what you are. A surprising and unexpected story – I loved it.”
Tad by Benji Davies (HarperCollins)
Dermot O’Leary said: “A wonderful coming of age tale of adventure, and nature.”
The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt and Alex Willmore (Simon & Schuster)
Simon Johnson said: “The Runaway Pea was beautifully illustrated and made me (and my sons) laugh out loud. I particularly enjoyed the naughty fruit hiding under the fridge.”
The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Nosy Crow)
Viveka Alvestrand said: “This book touched my heart. It has a beautiful melancholy about it. The illustrations are wonderfully simple and emotive and – crucially – the sad beginning leads to a happy ending!”
The winner will be revealed on Monday, May 25th, on the Oscar’s Book Prize website, announced by the award’s patron, HRH Princess Beatrice, who has supported the award since 2017.
Speaking about his role on the judging panel, Dermot O’Leary said: “It was an honour to have the opportunity to read through such an incredible set of books this year. I encourage parents to use all six of our shortlist to read with their kids and unlock the magic of storytelling.”
Amazon Director of EU Books Simon Johnson said: “The quality of stories gets better and better each year, and I would like to congratulate each author. The shortlisted books share stories of positivity, togetherness and friendship, which are important messages to teach children at an early age.”
For more on the six shortlisted stories, go to amazon.co.uk/obp.
The winner will be announced on Monday, May 25th, 2020 at oscarsbookprize.co.uk
Key dates for Oscar's Book Prize.
The judging for Oscar’s Book Prize is now complete. However due to the Coronavirus outbreak the dates we announce the shortlist and winner/s has had to change.
We’re thrilled to be able to announce that the shortlist will now be revealed on the 4th May and the winner/s of the £5,000 prize on 25th May 2020. Please see our News page for more updates, or follow us on Twitter or Instagram: @oscarsbookprize
Books for an Easter indoors
It’s Easter but an Easter unlike any other which means great books are even more essential than usual to keep young minds occupied. You can go down the traditional egg route or branch out (pardon the pun) into nature and spring. Here are a few of our top books guaranteed to thrill the little people in you life.
We're Going on an Egg Hunt
We're Going on an Egg Hunt by Martha Mumford is a great choice for children who love the idea of going on an adventure. Join a gaggle of Easter Bunnies who set out to track down an egg or two in this exciting lift-the-flap Easter expedition.
Wild
Wild by Emily Hughes is a book about a little girl who has known nothing but nature from birth. It’s a visual feast and a perfect taste of the outdoors when children are missing green spaces. Full of vivid colours and beautiful illustrations, the parents will be as enchanted as the kids.
The Odd Egg
Emily Gravett’s The Odd Egg is a funny little tale about a duck without an egg to hatch… that is until he finds a quite extraordinary one to look after. A story of belonging and not judging a book by its cover, look out for the surprise ending guaranteed to cause a lot of laughs with children and parents alike!
Easter Bunny Flap Book
One for really tiny children who are too little to make the most of the chocolate on Sunday, the Easter Bunny Flap Book by Sam Taplin has gorgeous characters, is full of colour and allows the really small to join in the fun come Easter.
Woodland Sounds
Sam Taplin again, this time with illustrator Frederica Iossa and a whole lot of outdoor sounds, perfect for little people who are stuck inside. They can enjoy all the familiar noises of the woodland from tinkling steams to the tap, tap, tap of woodpeckers.
Where the Wild Things are
The original outdoor adventure guide by Maurice Sendak. Make like Max and get your children to dream up imaginary worlds and the incredible monsters they could meet along the way. As well as being a firm favourite to return to again and again, it’s a great prompt for playtime.
RSPB My First Book of Garden Wildlife
A book for budding ornathologists and animal enthusiasts alike. All they need to while away a few hours is a copy of My First Book of Garden Wildlife by Mike Unwin, a window and a pencil. With fun facts about all the creatures you can expect to see in your garden, it’s a great way to get kids enthusiastic about the natural world no matter where you live.
The Squirrels who Squabbled
Trying to get fractious children to behave is a challenge at the best of times but add to that a few weeks of lock-down and you’ve got yourself quite the situation. Use outdoor animals like these squabbling squirrels created by Rachel Bright as an example of how they can behave a little better and to make their hour outdoors more entertaining.
A Slight Change to our Announcement Schedule...
Judging might be done, but due to the Coronavirus outbreak we will be rescheduling our announcement dates, in order to give our wonderful 2020 shortlist and winner(s) the attention they deserve. Please check back here or follow @oscarsbookprize on Twitter and Instagram for more news - in the meantime stay safe, and alleviate the pressures of the lockdown by sharing a fantastic picture book - especially one that’s been on one of our shortlists! On our Twitter feed we’ve also been tracking all the brilliant stay at home activities illustrators and writers are providing, such as ‘draw alongs’ with our awesome 2019 winner Ed Vere.
The submission period for Oscar's Book Prize 2020 has now closed!
After six weeks of splendid submissions, the entry period for the prize is now complete.
We’re relishing the thought of reading all of the fantastic picture books currently making a box fort in the office - thank you so much to everyone who has entered. The judges have a treat ahead of them!
The shortlist will be announced in April and the winner/s of the £5,000.00 prize will be announced on 7th May.
Please do check back here before then for more news and features!
Books about love of all kinds for Valentine's Day
Love is in the air - and to mark Valentine's Day we thought we'd share some wonderful stories about love of all kinds that are perfect for reading with a young child.
Friendship
Dogger by Shirley Hughes (Red Fox Books)
This is a tender, understanding book that wonderfully brings to life the unwavering love that many children have for a toy - for some their first ever friend.
This Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Lauren Child (Puffin)
No-one can come between Emily and her Rabbit; not even royalty, and not any bribe. A lovely story about true treasure and where to find it.
The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb (Macmillan Children's Books)
A little girl loves the friends she made with her mummy - her paper dolls - and finds a way to keep them in her heart even when one adventure has disastrous consequences. It's also a brilliant opportunity to create your own paper friends.
Unconditional love
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram (Walker)
Big and Small Nutbrown hare try to describe how much they love each other ... whether you are a parent, grandparent, care-giver or friend, reading these books about the power and completeness of unconditional love is like reading a love letter to your little reader.
Sometimes... by Emma Dodd (Templar)
Two elephants explore what it means to be loved, and how that doesn't change however naughty or good you are. Emma's other books in this series are also a feelgood treat.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy (Ebury Press)
This is an exploration of pure love between friends with young eyes. It's also a love-letter to the world and a reminder of the simple things that can spark real happiness - what could be more important and uplifting than that?
Good, old fashioned romance:
Burglar Bill by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (Puffin)
What could possibly be a better story to read on Valentine's Day than a tale of two burglars who fall in love with each other as they learn to do the right thing? Utterly heartwarming! And there's an unforgettable third person in this loving family unit too - the cheeky, baked bean-guzzling baby that brings Bill and Betty together.
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear (various - and readable online at The Poetry Foundation)
This lovely nonsensical rhyme has endured for almost 150 years for good reason! Madcap and lullaby-like at the same time, this rhyming adventure of a cat and a bird to an island far away is uplifting and great for big imaginations who would like to conjure up unusual situations and words. It was originally written to entertain a three year old, too!
And Tango Makes Three… by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (Simon and Schuster)
Based on the real life love story of two chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo who live at New York’s Central Park Zoo. This plucky pair hatched an egg and raised their precious chick Tango, becoming the most famous same sex parents in the animal kingdom. A great book for showing children that love is love whatever your gender.
Loving yourself
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Walker Books)
When Julian sees three women dressed as mermaids he’s inspired to look just like them and sets about creating the most wonderful underwater costume. A lovely little book focussed on the importance of children’s self expression and how strong the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can be.
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton (Arthur A. Levine Books)
Princess Pinecone is a a brave warrior and all she wants is a majestic steed to carry her into battle. But what she gets is a flatulent filly that won’t play by the rules. A book about being unapologetically you and seeing people’s strengths even if they aren’t what you’d expect.
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont (Houghton Mifflin)
This wonderful little book helps kids to love absolutely everything about themselves. Unruly hair? Stinky breath? Who cares! Mixing a jolly rhyming narrative, lots of jokes and a serious message to make the little people in your life feel absolutely great about who they are.
We hope you enjoy our loved-up selection. But don't worry. If one of these books isn't the perfect match for the pre-schooler in your life, you can try any of our previously shortlisted or winning books - and of course, we will be announcing another magical six in April.
Oscar's Book Prize 2020: the competition is now open for entries - and we reveal our fantastic Judges!
We are excited to announce that the prize is now open for this year's entries, and to finally reveal the fantastic judges that will be finding our five best books for the under 5s!
Publishers, please visit our Enter page for all information about how to submit your best books: we’re accepting entries from now until 5pm on Friday 21st February. Good luck everyone – we can’t wait to see what 2020’s Prize brings!
We’re also thrilled to reveal that Jake Hope, Dermot O’Leary and Francesca Simon are uniting forces – along with Amazon UK’s Simon Johnson, and Oscar’s parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton – to search for the most recent – and most magical - picture books that will captivate very young readers.
The full press release follows here:
DERMOT O’LEARY JOINS JUDGING PANEL OF £5,000 CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD
Presenter and children’s author O’Leary joins Francesca Simon, creator of the Horrid Henry children’s book series, and Youth Libraries Group chair Jake Hope on the judging panel of Oscar’s Book Prize
The prize, now in its seventh year, celebrates the best in literature for under-fives with a £5,000 prize
Oscar’s Book Prize was created by his parents in memory of Oscar Ashton, who loved children’s stories and died aged three-and-a-half of an undetected heart condition.
LONDON, January 13th, 2020 – X Factor and Radio 2 Presenter Dermot O’Leary, who is also author of the Toto the Ninja Cat children’s books series, will join Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon and Jake Hope, children’s books consultant, on the judging panel of Oscar’s Book Prize for 2020.
Also on the judging panel are Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton, who founded the £5,000 literary award in memory of their son, and Simon Johnson, Country Manager for Amazon UK Books.
The prize, which is supported by Amazon and the National Literacy Trust, celebrates the best in literature for under-fives and is now open for entries. It has been running for seven years and counts HRH Princess Beatrice as its patron.
Dermot O’Leary said: “I’ve always been surrounded by books and was read aloud to from an early age. Books give me so much pleasure so I was inspired to get involved with Oscar’s Book Prize because it celebrates those very early books that we all need as children to show us what a truly magical experience reading can be.”
The prize was set up in 2013 in partnership with the Evening Standard.
Editor George Osborne said: “Oscar’s Book Prize began as a way of commemorating a young boy who loved stories. Today it continues to celebrate the power of story-telling and the vital role it plays in firing the imaginations of children everywhere.”
Simon Johnson, Country Manager for Amazon UK Books, said: “We are proud to support Oscar’s Book Prize and I am delighted to be on this year’s judging panel. I’ll be looking for stories that stimulate a child’s imagination and help them understand the world around them. From our origins as a bookseller to the present day, Amazon has always been – and always will be – passionate about inspiring children to read.”
Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Picture books are children’s first introduction to the magical world of stories. The best picture books help children learn new words, imagine new things and, when shared with loved ones, offer great opportunities for bonding. We are delighted to support an award that celebrates the incredible authors and illustrators whose stories engage, excite and educate our youngest minds.”
Publishers can submit entries for the 2020 prize now and until 5pm on Friday 21st February 2020. The shortlist will be announced on Friday 17th April, with the winner revealed on Thursday 7th May at a ceremony at the May Fair Hotel in central London.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact the Oscar’s Book Prize press office on 020 7100 7100 or at obp@theacademypr.com.
More About Our 2020 Judges
Jake Hope is passionate about stories, books and reading. He is a Reading Development and Children's Book Consultant who has worked as the Reading and Learning Development Manager for Lancashire Libraries, one of the largest authorities in the United Kingdom.
Jake’s work entails trying to make reading accessible and enjoyable for people of all backgrounds and ages. Jake has contributed to numerous publications on children’s books and reading and has recently written a book on visual literacy: 'Seeing Sense'.
Jake is the Chair of the Working Party for the UK’s oldest children’s book awards, the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. He is an avid reader and commentator on reading and books for children and young people and a keen promoter of libraries.
Dermot O’Leary started his career on T4 for Channel 4 and has presented shows for both ITV and the BBC. His best-known work includes The X Factor, Big Brother's Little Brother, Unicef's Soccer Aid, BBC3's First Time Voters Question Time, the RTS Award winning 'Live from Space' season and the Brit Awards.
2017 saw Dermot launch his new Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2, 'Saturday Breakfast with Dermot O'Leary'. Previously in the Saturday afternoon slot, 'The Dermot O'Leary Show' won three Sony Radio Awards and was well known for its support of new and emerging bands.
In 2019 Dermot hosted his tenth and final National Television Awards and presented the Explorers episodes of the BBC's 'Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century'.
Last September saw the launch of ‘People, Just People’, Dermot’s first podcast series with Audible where he interviews interesting people from all walks of life. Guests so far have included Ed Miliband, Stephen Graham, Stig Abel and Eni Aluko.
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Superstar Catastrophe is Dermot's third children's book. He lives in London with his wife Dee and their cats Socks and, of course, Toto.
Francesca Simon is the author of the hugely popular Horrid Henry series, which has sold over 22 million copies and is published in 29 countries. She has written more than 60 books and won the Children’s Book of the Year in 2008 at the British Book Awards for Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman.
Her books for older children include The Sleeping Army and The Lost Gods. Francesca’s first book for teens, The Monstrous Child, about Hel, the Norse Goddess of the dead, was shortlisted for both the 2017 Costa Book Awards and the YA Book Prize. She wrote the libretto for an opera based on The Monstrous Child with the composer Gavin Higgins, which premiered at the Royal Opera House in February 2019.
Francesca went to Yale and Oxford Universities, where she studied medieval literature, art history, and Anglo-Saxon. She lives in London with her family.
Twelve Picture Books of Christmas - part 12
Our twelfth and final choice is not one but many! If you are looking for books that aren’t necessarily festive but are downright wonderful, our former winning and shortlisted stories are available from libraries and bookshops.
We can’t recommend highly enough our 2019 winner How to be a Lion by Ed Vere (Puffin) - and also Gemma Merino’s excellent The Cow Who Climbed a Tree (Macmillan) , which won in 2016. There are also plenty to choose from our amazing shortlists, including Almost Anything by Sophie Henn (Penguin), Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival (Bloomsbury) and Baby’s First Bank Heist by Jim Whalley and Stephen Collins.
Whatever you choose, have a very happy, book-filled Christmas!
Twelve Picture Books for Christmas - part eleven
We’re Going on an Elf Chase by Martha Mumford and Laura Hughes (Bloomsbury)
Laura Hughes won the 2019 prize for her fantastic illustrations for There’s a Pig Up My Nose by Jim Dougherty (Egmont). In addition to that hilarious book Laura has illustrated the brilliant We’re Going on an Elf Chase by Martha Mumford (Bloomsbury Children’s Books), the lift-the flap, rhyming story of four bunnies as they run, run, run to catch ten elves across the pages.
Twelve Picture Books for Christmas - part ten
Ten Little Elves by Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty (Orchard Books)
The ‘ten little’series deserves its stellar reputation: colourful images and action-packed,humorous rhymes will grab the attention of small children, especially those learning to count.This particular book energetically counts down to Christmas with adventures on every page.
Twelve Picture Books for Christmas - part nine
The Jolly Christmas Postman By Allan and Janet Ahlberg (Puffin)
The Jolly Postman remains a seminal children’s book, and the same applies for this enchanting Christmas edition. In this tale it's Christmas Eve and the Jolly Postman is delivering greetings to everyone's favourite fairy-tale characters, from Humpty Dumpty to Baby Bear.
Join them on their festive journey and enjoy opening all the letters, cards and gift as much as you do at home with the real life deliveries that come to your door.
Twelve Picture Books for Christmas: part eight
Alfie’s Christmas by Shirley Hughes (Bodley Head)
Alfie’s Christmas by Shirley Hughes (Bodley Head)
Shirley Hughes’ wonderful books have delighted children for decades. The adventures of siblings Alfie and Annie Rose are universally recognisable for most families with young children. Join them - and share their excitement - as they get ready for Christmas.
You can also get a glimpse into all of Alfie’s festive adventures - and those of other characters including Lucy and Tom - by following @ShirleyHughes_ as they look inside the pages each day. It’s something we’ve been enjoying here over the past few weeks.
Twelve Picture Books for Christmas: part seven
The Storm Whale in Winter by Benji Davies (Simon and Schuster)
Benji Davies was the inaugural winner of the prize with his unforgettable book The Storm Whale. This sequel has a wonderfully wintry theme – Noi is worried about the whale he saved last year now that it is snowy, shivery winter – but this time it’s the whale’s turn to save him!
Benji’s other brilliant books including Grandma Bird and Grandad’s Island are also available to read together.