We’re delighted to reveal the wonderful and wacky stories on this year’s shortlist which feature everything from tales of cheeky monkeys and magical foxes, to new-found friendships and important life lessons. To find out more about the full shortlist, please visit www.amazon.co.uk/obp22.
The award, now in its ninth year, is supported by Amazon, the National Literacy Trust and the Evening Standard. It was set up by James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand to celebrate magical stories for children in memory of their son Oscar, who was three-and-a-half when he died from an undiagnosed heart condition in December 2012.
This year’s shortlist features a vast variety of creatures, including monkeys and tigers, ducks and frogs, bears, squirrels and chickens, spoilt children and kind gorillas, a cat having a grumpy day - and finally, one very special arctic fox. While they contain such different characters, these stories are linked by their lively narratives, outstanding illustrations, and inspirational messages - whether that’s encouraging confidence, understanding big feelings, or finding friendship.
This year’s shortlist were selected by a star-studded judging panel including, singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her mother, Janet Ellis, a two-time author and former Blue Peter presenter. The pair were joined by award-winning illustrator, Chris Riddell and rapper, actor, comedian and children’s author, Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown), alongside Amazon’s UK Books Country Manager, Lisa De Meyer and the Prize co-founder, Viveka Alvestrand.
The winner will be announced by the award’s patron, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, at a ceremony on Tuesday 17th May in central London.
Ben Bailey Smith said: “Helping select the shortlist for this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize was a real privilege - such an exciting variety of stories and characters that were as brilliantly funny as they were meaningful, and all beautifully illustrated. It is these sorts of books which stand the test of time and become literary favourites that are passed down the generations. I’m certain all children would love to read all six!”
Lisa De Meyer said: “It’s been a pleasure for Amazon to once again help celebrate and support Oscar’s Book Prize. We have read some incredible stories and are extremely proud of the chosen shortlist. I think all the judging panel agree that it was great to see such a range of characters and storylines from authors submitting to the Prize for the first time through to returning entrants with Smriti Halls and Steve Small.”
The shortlist for Oscar’s Book Prize 2022 is as follows:
Barbara is in a very bad mood. She won't admit it, but she is. She has a problem with a sock, and at lunchtime there's a strange pea... And even though she's at the park with her friends, it all just gets a bit much. Suddenly Barbara's wobbler is out of control.
A funny, suspenseful and keenly observed cautionary tale about pushing boundaries and indulging your more mischievous, cheeky side (when nobody is looking).
A hilarious tale with a 'be careful what you wish for' message, especially if you wish for a gorilla and don't look after it properly.
Duck is not like other ducks. Duck doesn’t like water and is perfectly fine alone, thank you very much. But then, one dark and stormy night, an outgoing, water-loving, and very lost Frog turns up at Duck’s door. Can this odd couple find Frog’s home? And will they find friendship along the way?
Freya and her mum have gone to a little cabin to get away for a while. The light has gone out of their lives since Freya's dad passed away. Freya isn't sure about going sledging, but when she meets a magical fox in the snow, she can't help but follow him into the forest – and on to a thrilling adventure.
Much-loved characters Bear and Squirrel are back! And they’ve found the perfect rhythm for their friendship. Until, that is, Chicken turns up... She wants in! But how will Bear and Squirrel feel about accepting a new friend? Will they come to see that some things work out when we do them together. That two can be good…but three can be better?
For more information about Oscar’s Book Prize, please visit www.oscarsbookprize.co.uk and to view the full shortlisted books on Amazon, please visit www.amazon.co.uk/obp22.
About Oscar’s Book Prize
Oscar’s Book Prize is an annual prize for the best under-fives book of the year. It champions magical storytelling by authors and illustrators, best shared between young children and their parents.
It is awarded in memory of book-loving Oscar Ashton, who died in 2012 of an undiagnosed heart condition aged three and a half. Founded by his parents and supported by Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust, the Prize has been running since 2014.
For news and all other information please visit www.oscarsbookprize.co.uk, follow @oscarsbookprize on Instagram or Twitter, or find Oscar’s Book Prize on Facebook.
About Amazon.co.uk
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalised recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.co.uk/about and follow @AmazonNewsUK
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About the National Literacy Trust
Our mission is to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of those who need it most, giving them the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We run Literacy Hubs and campaigns in communities where low levels of literacy and social mobility are seriously impacting people’s lives. We support schools and early years settings to deliver outstanding literacy provision, and we campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians, businesses and parents.
Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy and drive our interventions. Literacy is a vital element of action against poverty and our work changes children and young people’s life stories. Our new site Words for Life provides simple, fun and educational activities for children and young people aged 0-24 to support learning at home and help them feel more confident.
Visit literacytrust.org.uk to find out more, donate or sign up for our free email newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the London Evening Standard
The London Evening Standard is the only quality free daily newspaper in the UK. An iconic London brand, the Standard’s paper, website and apps keep the capital up-to-date on the latest news, business, sport, features and entertainment. The Evening Standard is famous for its campaigning to improve life in the capital. Campaigns have included the Dispossessed Campaign, which raised over £14 million to tackle poverty and inequality and Get London Reading, a campaign to raise literacy levels for children in the capital.
