The 2023 Story

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, a beautiful tale about friendship and being there for someone when they are at their most vulnerable, has become the tenth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize! The winner was announced in person at a very special ten year awards ceremony for the Prize, by our Patron, HRH Princess Beatrice.

Described by judges as both ‘gorgeous’ and ‘incredibly moving’, this story of a very tender friendship, and some equally delicate flowers, captured the hearts of judges to seize the top spot. Written by Jarvis, the creator of a diverse range of iconic children’s books including Alan’s Big Scary Teeth, this celebration of caring follows the story of David and his best friend, who becomes worried when David’s usually cheery self begins to disappear…

This year’s winner was chosen from more than 100 eligible entries, and had some very stiff competition - and excellent company - from this year’s five other shortlisted titles: Billy and the Pirates by Nadia Shireen, Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor Ballesteros, Teapot Trouble by Morag Hood, The Gecko and The Echo by Rachel Bright and Jim Field and Can I Play? by Nicola Kinnear. These stories were all chosen by our formidable judging panel: Cressida Cowell, Benji Davies, Dapo Adeola, Viveka Alvestrand and Lisa de Meyer, and of course by our amazing longlist panel too. This year our longlist judges included librarian extraordinaire Jacob Turner, Read for Good’s Dr Lucy Martin, Oscar’s nursery team, Viveka, and Benji Davies (doing us a stirling double honour by judging in both camps….though perhaps it is only fitting to have our inaugral (and two time) winner judge for us to complete our first decade).

As ever, the judges commented on the incredible quality of the entries this year - you can see what they had to say about each of our shortlist, and read more about each book, here.

Of course, in the end, the panel could only choose one winner, and were full of praise for The Boy with Flowers in His Hair. Princess Beatrice, speaking at the Prize ceremony, was also deeply impressed. She described the book as an “instant modern classic. Its values of friendship and acceptance exemplify the very best tropes in picture-book storytelling, all told with a gentle immersive world for its readers”.

Jarvis said “I could not be more delighted to have won this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize, and taking a look around the room and the incredibly talented authors and illustrators also shortlisted, it truly is an honour. I’ve always believed that picture books are a piece of art that everyone can own. This award celebrates the art and joy in children’s books and I am so pleased that my book, which focuses on poignant issues surrounding vulnerability and friendship, has been received so well.”

He also added that the emotional impact the book has had on readers has been something really precious to him, saying: "for me that's the magic of these books really, how they can become a part of people's lives."

Of course, lots of other people had fantastic things to say about our tenth winner, too. You can listen to what the judges said here and perhaps (if you don’t already have a copy) make up your own mind by listening to their reading!

We’re delighted to close our first decade by with such a fantastic book, and to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many others. Thank you to everyone for so much support - and continuing to create and read such amazing picture books! Here’s to 2033, and all of the books we can discover until then!

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon and The Evening Standard.

The 2022 Story

A bold and colourful book - crammed with character, humour, three cheeky, curious monkeys…and a few tigers - is the ninth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

Maybe... follows the inadvisable exploits of some mango-loving primates as they dabble with danger and mischief - all in the name of fruit. It is written and illustrated by the multi-talented Chris Haughton, the Dublin-born creator of many much-loved children’s books , including the best-selling A Bit Lost and Oh No, George!

Our Patron HRH Princess Beatrice announced the winner at the Prize’s award ceremony in London - our first ‘in person’ event since the Covid-19 Pandemic. Former shortlistees and winners joined the party, which toasted not only this year’s final six, but the winners of the past two years as well.

Maybe… saw off competition from 128 eligible entries, not to mention a formidable final six on the shortlist itself, in another outstanding year filled with truly remarkable picture books. Maybe… was chosen by our illustrious judging panel of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Janet Ellis, Ben Bailey-Smith, Chris Riddell, Lisa de Meyer and Viveka Alvestrand, and initially selected by our expert longlist panel (which this year also included our 2021 winner Lu Fraser!).

Upon winning, Chris Haughton said: “It’s an honour to be chosen as the winner for this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize, and a privilege to be held in such high regard amongst a shortlist of incredible authors and illustrators, all of whom deserve the award as much as me. This is an award that celebrates and highlights the joy that comes from children’s stories, and one I shall cherish.”

HRH Princess Beatrice said: “This year’s winning book is a stunning blend of imaginative storytelling with playful illustration. The amount of vibrancy expressed in the story - from characterization to humour - is also a stand-out example of how much power pictures - and relatively few words - have to convey a story. I’m proud to be a long-standing patron of Oscar’s Book Prize and have had the privilege of witnessing this award shine a light on so many amazing books over the years.”

The judging panel were once again astounded by the quality of the winning book, and all on the shortlist - please watch our shortlist and winner videos to find out what they said! You can also watch our special judges’ reading of the winning book and discover what makes it so special for yourself - we hope you enjoy it.

We can’t wait to see what our tenth prize brings - but in the meantime extend our congratulations to Chris and all of the shortlisted authors and publishers for their amazing stories.

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon and the Evening Standard.

The 2021 Story

The eighth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize is a joyous, rhyming caper that teaches little ones to celebrate their own unique talents. The Littlest Yak follows the journey of Gertie, the littlest yak in the whole herd. Feeling like she’s stuck in her smallness, bursting to grow up big and tall, Gertie soon learns there are things only she can do, and her smallness can do something big after all.

This heart-warming and uplifting story from debut author Lu Fraser and much-loved illustrator Kate Hindley was announced in a virtual ceremony by HRH Princess Beatrice, the Award’s Patron. It was chosen from a record number of entries by our stellar panel of judges including TV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Angellica Bell, illustrator and animator Axel Scheffler, Simon Johnson (Amazon UK’s Director of EU Books) and Oscar’s mother and Prize co-founder Viveka Alvestrand.

The prize this year also enjoyed the expertise of a panel of longlist judges, comprising of author and illustrator (and former OBP winner!) Ed Vere, librarian extraordinaire Janet Noble, Read for Good’s Jo Jeffery and Bedri Beytula-Sali and Sajida Akber from the Eveline Day Nursery in Wimbledon, which was the nursery that Oscar attended.

Speaking about why they chose The Littlest Yak, the judges said:

"The story of The Littlest Yak is very touching and encouraging for anybody small. Rather crazy furry creatures live within a mountainous backdrop scenery that is, in spite of the reduced colour scheme, always lively and engaging. The little bird and snow marmot add to the amusement. A lot of fun with a lovely message." - Axel Scheffler

 “Despite some incredible competition, this heart-warming book grabbed me right from the first page. Featuring a wonderful, relatable character, the story is told beautifully through clever, zippy rhymes and gorgeous illustrations. There's so much to talk about with its lovely message too - realising that however much we might wish to change something about ourselves, actually everyone is perfect, just as they are.” - Lorraine Kelly

 “This is such a cute story about wanting to quickly grow up to be an adult, something I used to dream about when I was a child - and with hindsight it's about enjoying the moment and not wishing time away! But the real message I took away from this book is the lesson that we are all perfect just the way we are in our own individual ways!” - Angellica Bell

“Whether you are the littlest, or just feel like you are, this is a brilliant story to really get involved with. We loved this book in my family - heart-warming, beautifully illustrated, and I think it dealt really well with conversations about feeling different.” - Simon Johnson

 “This is a fabulous book about it being ok to be who you are. It's a wonderful book to explore together because there are lots of things going on every page; the art and the words work so well together, and it flows really nicely.” - Viveka Alvestrand

All judges commented on the quality of submitted entries this year - especially that of the exceptional shortlist.

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust.

The 2020 Story

A wonderful coming of age story about the challenges and adventures of change has become the seventh winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

Tad, written and illustrated by Benji Davies, published by HarperCollins Children's Books, was chosen as the 2020 winner by a panel that included Radio and TV presenter and author Dermot O'Leary, and bestselling author Francesca Simon.

They were joined by Simon Johnson, Director, Amazon EU Books, Children's Book Consultant Jake Hope, and Oscar’s parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton.

The jury also had input from the children and staff at Eveline Day Nursery, the nursery in Wimbledon that Oscar attended.

O'Leary said the winning book was:  “a wonderful coming of age tale of adventure, and nature.”

Simon said Tad was: “An absolutely magical picture book, beautifully written, with a subtle message about embracing change and the unknown.”

Due to COVID-19, Davies was presented his award with a virtual prize-giving ceremony, which saw a special reading of his book from the judging panel, 2019's winner Ed Vere and HRH Princess Beatrice, Royal Patron of Oscar’s Book Prize, as well as judges' comments on the book and an acceptance speech. Click here to download the full reading of Tad by Benji Davies with appearances from Dermot O’Leary, HRH Princess Beatrice and fellow judges.

The jury praised the work by all the submitted entries for this year’s prize.

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust.

The 2019 Story

A gentle story about the friendship that “does not preach nor resort to sentimentality” became the sixth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

How To Be A Lion, written and illustrated by Ed Vere, was chosen as the 2019 winner by a jury panel that included Children’s Laureate and the creator of Charlie & Lola, Lauren Child, and campaigner for women and children’s health Sarah Brown. They were joined by Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, UK director of books at Amazon and Oscar’s parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton. The jury also had input from the children at Eveline Day Nursery, the nursery in Wimbledon that Oscar attended.

Child said of the winning book: “Ed Vere understands how to pace a story, tell it beautifully, make an important point about being true to yourself and loyal to your friends.”

Vere collected his award at the May Fair Hotel in London on May 9. It was presented by HRH Princess Beatrice, Royal Patron of Oscar’s Book Prize.

The jury praised the work by all the submitted entries for this year’s prize.

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust.

The 2018 Story

A very funny tale about a pig who runs up the nose of a little girl and the ensuing challenge of how to get it out from there was the fifth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

There’s a Pig Up My Nose by John Dougherty, with illustrations by Laura Hughes, was chosen by a jury panel that included BBC presenter Katie Derham, Julia Eccleshare, director of children’s books at the Hay Festival. They were joined on the panel by Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, UK director of books at Amazon, and Oscar’s parents James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand. The jury also had input from the children at Wimbledon-based Eveline Day Nursery.

Eccleshare said of the winning book: “The surprise comes right at the start, and what a wonderfully dotty premise to begin a story with, about problem-solving in the classroom. Brilliantly structured too.”

Dougherty and Hughes collected their award at St James's Palace in London on May 14. It was presented by HRH Princess Eugenie, the younger sister of HRH Princess Beatrice, Royal Patron of Oscar’s Book Prize, who was unable to attend.

The jury praised the work by all the submitted entries for this year’s prize.

Oscar’s Book Prize is supported by Amazon, the Evening Standard and the National Literacy Trust.

You can read more about Oscar's Book Prize 2018 winners John Dougherty and Laura Hughes, the inspiration behind their book and how they worked together on it in this article from the Evening Standard. 

The 2017 Story

An endearing tale about a koala who finds change a bit worrisome has become the fourth winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

The Koala Who could, written by Rachel Bright and illustrated by Jim Field, captured the hearts of this year’s judging panel, which included presenter Claudia Winkleman, Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of the 2015 memoir The Last Act of Love, Dan Mucha, Director of Books at Amazon and Oscar’s parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton.

Bright accepted the £5,000 prize from Oscar’s Book Prize patron HRH Princess Beatrice at the annual award ceremony at The Ned in London on 15 May.

Bright and Field were nominated for the prize last year for their book The Lion Inside.

The 2016 Story

An empowering tale of a brave cow called Tina who – despite the misgivings of her older sisters – dares to follow her dreams won Oscar’s Book Prize in 2016.

London-based author-illustrator Gemma Merino’s story won the hearts of the judging panel.

She was awarded the £5,000 prize by HRH Princess Beatrice in a ceremony in London on 23 May 2016, where Culture Minister Ed Vaizey also made a speech.

The 2015 Story

A children’s book about the Queen chasing her hat across London was chosen as the second winner of Oscar’s Book Prize.

The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony was selected by a judging panel including actress Gillian Anderson and former Pearson chief executive Dame Marjorie Scardino.

The ceremony took place at the restaurant Hubbard & Bell, part of the Soho House Group, in High Holborn. Guests at the event included publisher Baroness Rebuck and literary agent Ed Victor. In the winning book, published by Hachette Children's, a gust of wind takes the Queen's hat from her head, so she pursues it past several landmarks with the Queen's Men.

Anderson, who presented the £5,000 cheque, said Antony’s book was "clever, shiny and I love all the little soldiers", while Dame Marjorie described it as "charming". The other judges were Rupert Thomas, marketing director at Waitrose, the prize sponsor, and Oscar's parents Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton, who is a columnist for the Evening Standard.

Also on the shortlist were Hedgehugs, written by Steve Wilson and illustrated by Lucy Tapper, Dangerous! by Tim Warnes, This Book Just Ate My Dog! by Richard Byrne, and The Sea Tiger by Victoria Turnbull.

Reflecting on his win almost a year later, Antony said: “Winning the Oscar’s Book Prize for my debut picture book, The Queen's Hat, was overwhelming and a huge honour. The recognition led to many exciting opportunities which I’m so grateful for. I've visited schools, libraries and festivals across the country, and the book was recently adapted into a musical concert by the London Symphony Orchestra.

“I've since released several more picture books, including a sequel to The Queen's Hat called The Queen's Handbag, which takes HRH and a bevy of bobbies on a wild swan-chase across the UK. The most rewarding moments come when I see children pick up my book and enjoy reading, and I really admire Oscar's family and the Evening Standard for creating this very special award which celebrates how picture books can be a wonderful part of everyday life.”

steveantony.com

The 2014 Story

A lonely boy’s friendship with a whale won the inaugural Oscar’s Book Prize. The Storm Whale by first-time author Benji Davies scooped the £5,000 award for his story of Noi, a boy who finds a baby whale washed up on the beach and brings it home.

More than 50 stories were whittled down by a judging panel consisting of former Pearson chief executive Dame Marjorie Scardino, Rupert Thomas, the marketing director of prize sponsor Waitrose, Charlotte Ross, deputy editor of the Evening Standard, and Oscar’s parents James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand.

Praising The Storm Whale as she presented the prize at a party at the Waitrose Cookery School in Finchley Road, Dame Marjorie said: “It is simple and timeless. It covers ideas of friendship to conservation to the complicated relationship between children and working parents. It's a book that doesn't try too hard and that made it very soothing.”

The Evening Standard's editor Sarah Sands said: "At the Evening Standard we have been running a campaign to get London reading and we know Oscar loved reading. We thought we would put the two together. We are here for Oscar but this is his gift to all children."

The other short-listed books were The Snatchabook by Helen and Thomas Docherty, The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers, Open Very Carefully, written by Nick Bromley with illustrations by Nicola O'Byrne and Spaghetti with the Yeti, written by Adam and Charlotte Guillain with illustrations by Lee Wildish.

Talking about the prize almost two years on, Davies said: “Exposure is important for any picture book writer, to push your name and your work into the hands of your readers. The Storm Whale was the first picture book that I both wrote and illustrated, so winning Oscar’s Book Prize was not only an incredible honour but also a superb platform. The recognition also swelled my confidence as a writer and spurred me on to write my next picture book - it’s been a huge stepping stone.”