Younger Reader Category Round Up!
The Children’s Book Award is the only national award voted for solely by children from start to finish. It is highly regarded by parents, teachers, librarians, publishers and children’s authors and illustrators as it represents the children’s choice. Thanks to the support of the publishers, around 800 new fiction titles are donated to be read and reviewed by local FCBG groups across the country every year. This year approx 50,000 total votes were cast, and we expect many thousands more to come in for the Top 10. At the end of each testing year, many of the books are donated to hospitals, women’s refuges, nurseries and disadvantaged schools by our groups.
There wasn’t an award in 2021 – the challenges of getting books out to the child judges in lockdowns meant the award did not run last year. Therefore, this year’s award celebrates the most popular books from 2020 and 2021 so no one misses out.
Welcome to our Children’s Book Award Younger Reader Shortlist Round Up!!
This past week, we were lucky enough that 3 incredible book bloggers hosted content from the creators of our shortlisted titles!
First up, Rich Simpson of What I Read, hosted Sam Sedgman and Elisa Paganelli, co-author and illustrator of The Highland Falcon Thief, published by Macmillan.
“This brilliant adventure in the Scottish Highlands starts the series, and I’m thrilled to be able to share this content from author, Sam Sedgman, talking about the love of trains that helped inspire the continuing adventures and locations in this and the books that follow:”
Sam shares his love of trains and his top 5 train journeys in this brilliant and exclusive blog! Elisa has shared a draw along video of Bailey, Hal’s dog!!
Then we head over to Kate Heap of Scope for Imagination, who hosted the shortlisted, The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy and Natalie Smillie, published by Barrington Stoke.
Kate introduces her content by saying, “You’re in for a treat as I have an exclusive interview from FCBG with Natalie Smillie about the illustration process from initial ideas right through to her wonderful finished covers.”
A super interview offering a glimpse into illustrations!
Children’s Book Award Blog Tour ~ The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy & Natalie Smillie
Finally, our shortlist heads over to Lily of Lily and the Fae, who hosts Serena Patel, author of Anisha Accidental Detective, published by Usborne.
Lily says, “I am super lucky to have been able to borrow Serena from her writing and her busy day job to answer a few questions about her wonderful series!”
Insightful questions and brilliant answers from Serena!
The FCBG Childrens Book Award- Anisha: Accidental Detective by Serena Patel
Don’t forget that we have one more category of books to share next week with 3 more brilliant bloggers!
Any children can get involved with reading and voting on our Children’s Book Award. Voting closes on the 27th of May!
Books can be bought from Heath Books using this link- https://www.heathbooks.co.uk/federation-of-childrens-book-groups-childrens-book-award/
