The Children’s Book Award is the only national award voted for solely by children from start to finish. Over 1,000 new books are submitted to be read and reviewed by local Testing Groups across the country. When the shortlists are announced voting opens on the website for any child or school to participate in. Usually over 150,000 total votes are cast in the process. Website: http://childrensbookaward.org.uk
| Books for Younger Children: Blobfish written and illustrated by Olaf Falafel ( Walker Books) ISBN: 978-1529512489 A heartfelt and humorous adventure from the bottom of the sea and beyond, following one very characterful fish on an epic journey. In part a touching tribute to friendship and in part raising awareness of pollution in our ocean. Sad and lonely Blobfish loves to tell jokes, but he is lonely and has no one to share them with. He soon meets an unexpected friend, but this friendship does not turn out as he had planned at all. |  |
| Books for Younger Readers and Overall Winner Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good. Written and illustrated by Louie Stowell( Walker Books) ISBN: 978-1406399752 Wry, witty and very funny diary-style story packed with doodles and comic strips about the frustration trickster god Loki feels at having to live trapped in the body of a weedy eleven-year-old boy. Loki must show moral improvement in order to escape. Sharp wit, ethical dilemmas, sly mythological references and copious appealing doodle like illustrations are a recipe for pure reading pleasure. |  |
| Books for Older Readers: Dread Wood. Written by Jennifer Killick, (Farshore) ISBN: 978-0755503711 It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but friends) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously frightening. Deliciously scary and hilarious this demonstrates again Jennifer Killick’s talent for horror and humour. Blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax. It also manages to have believable character-based moments too, which do not make the plot lose momentum The characters are all flawed, but with well examined reasons and the book teaches us about friendship and forgiveness. A stunningly good read. |  |
