Shortlist announced for Derby Children’s Picture Book Award

Derby Book Festival has announced the three shortlisted books for the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award 2022. Now in its fourth year the Award celebrates picture books that children can relate to and in which the diversity and challenges of modern life are represented. Twelve Derby primary school teachers from across the city, who have been involved in previous Awards, selected the books from the original longlist of ten. The Festival, which is funded by the University of Derby and will be held for the seventh time in 2022, from 20 - 28 May, invited children’s publishers to submit up to three books, published in 2021, which meet the criteria.

This year’s shortlist comprises:

• ‘My Beautiful Voice’ Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
• ‘What Happened to You?’ James Catchpole and Karen George (Faber & Faber)
• ‘The Tale of the Whale’ Karen Swann and Padmacandra (Scallywag Press)

Forty five Derby schools will take part receiving copies of the books for each class and around 4500 Years 2 and 3 children will vote for their favourite book after reading them in class in the summer term. The winner will be announced on 8 April 2022.

Di Smith, who devised and organises the Award: “We had a very high standard of submissions for the Award with 34 books from 17 publishers, which is a record. We have an excellent and varied shortlist of books which will give children the opportunity to see a window on their world and a mirror in which to see themselves.”

Becket Primary have been involved in the Award in previous years and said: “We know how much the children (and staff!) get out of diving into these fantastic books. The children also have the opportunity to feel like they are actively involved in something very important - their vote matters! Being involved in such a big project not only boosts our children’s esteem but also embeds the importance of reading and the value of books being a ‘big deal’ in the outside world and not just in the confines of a classroom. This project allows children to feel that they are making a difference in an author’s life – this is quite a powerful notion for a Year 2/3 child.”

Liz Fothergill, Chair of Derby Book Festival said: “One of the Festival’s key aims is to inspire a new generation of readers to appreciate the joy that books and reading bring to our lives. The Book Award is central to this and we are delighted that even more children will be involved with our 2022 Award.

This year we have three beautifully illustrated, thought-provoking and moving picture books which will both inspire a child and help them to understand the issues and challenges of today’s modern world. “

Derby Book Festival has a strong programme of events for children, families and schools with Meet the Author events held at Derby Theatre and live streamed to schools across the city and county. Secondary schools will also have a Meet the Author virtual event for Year 7s in 2022.

Derby Book Festival is funded by the University of Derby with additional sponsorship from local businesses.