Barnes Children's Literature Festival

Weekend of 14th & 15th May - The Barnes Children's Literature Festival

Featuring Marcia Williams, Lauren Child, Jonathan Stroud, Cerrie Burnell, Jacqueline Wilson, Axel Scheffler, Saraj Crossan, Joseph Coelho, Cornelia Funke. Philip Reeve, Josh Lacey, Holy Webb, Robin Stevens, Ed Vere, Morris Gleitzman, Jeremy Strong, Anthony Browne, Frances Hardinge, Kevin Crossley - Holland, Jane Ray, Cathy Cassidy, and many more!!!!!

See the website for full details.


http://www.barneskidslitfest.org/

Important News about Carousel Magazine

Dear Subscriber/ Supporter,

Twenty-one years ago, Jenny and I launched the first edition of Carousel Magazine arising from our passion for quality children’s books and our belief that every child has the right to be presented with books that are both appropriate and stimulating. Over the years we have been able to introduce successive generations to exciting new authors and illustrators and be a source of information for people who have an enthusiasm for, and work in, the world of children’s books. Today, Carousel is currently the only print magazine about children’s books in the UK. Something we can be rightly proud of.

 A set of circumstances has arisen which has resulted in Jenny and I deciding it is time to pass on the running of the magazine.  Our designer, who for ten years has produced an attractive and a visually stimulating magazine, has reluctantly decided to step down owing to health issues. Coincidentally, we have had to urgently seek a new office space. Thankfully, two of our existing editors, Elaine & Dave Chant, have agreed to steer the magazine through this difficult time with a view to enabling it to thrive and continue to be an important resource within the children’s book world.

Our existing editorial team will continue with some new additions. Alongside Elaine & Dave, Sinead and Martin Kromer remain with us and, importantly, will continue to manage the review pages. We will be joined by Debbie Wiggett who will look after finance, and Louise Stothard who is a member of the national executive of The Federation of Children’s Book Groups. We will shortly be announcing further additions to supplement the range of expertise we currently enjoy.  I will continue to be part of the team and supervise the transition.

This is a significant time for Carousel magazine and has necessitated some changes to the publication dates for this current year which will have some implications for our many loyal supporters. Issue 62 will now appear in May as a slightly enlarged Spring/Summer edition. The following issue 63 will be the Autumn edition which will bring us back to the normal date of publication. For Carousel subscribers, this will mean your subscription will continue for one additional issue.

From 1^st April, there will be a new Carousel Office.  The new contact details are:

Carousel   Unit 1   West Court   Saxon Business Park   Stoke Prior   B60 4AD

T: 07413980203     E: office@carouselguide.co.uk

Thank you very much for your loyalty and enthusiasm over the years. We very much hope that this will continue. If you do not subscribe to Carousel - for whatever reason - we would urge you to do so now, and also to recommend it to other interested people.

Jenny & David Blanch

Carousel has moved!

Carousel

The Guide to Children’s Books

Urgent change of details

For immediate effect

The Carousel office has moved to new premises.

Please note the new address below where all correspondence and review books should now be sent.

Please also note the new telephone number and email address.

Publishers, please pass on these details to all departments i.e. editorial, marketing, accounts, and despatch for review books. (Letter post can be re-directed but parcels cannot.  This will necessitate 50 mile round trips to collect parcels delivered to the old address).

The new contact names are:

Elaine & Dave Chant

The new address, email, and telephone number

Carousel

Unit 1  

West Court  

Saxon Business Park

Hanbury Road 

Stoke Prior  

B60 4AD

Tel:  07413980203

                  

email:  office@carouselguide.co.uk

www.carouselguide.co.uk

Carnegie medal and Kate Greenaway shortlists 2016 announced

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/mar/15/carnegie-medal-kate-greenaway-shortlists-2016

Click on the above link for news of the 2016 Carnegie and Greenaway shortlists.  We think its a very strong one this year...

Winners of Scottish Children’s Book Awards 2016 Announced

FAVOURITE SCOTTISH CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2016 REVEALED   Two authors celebrate second win each All three winning books explore themes of magic and mystery   Simon Puttock, Ross MacKenzie and Danny Weston were today (2 March) announced as the winners of the 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Awards during a special ceremony at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel, attended by nearly 1,000 children.   Scotland’s largest book prize for children’s authors and illustrators, with each winning book receiving £3,000, the Scottish Children’s Book Awards are run by Scottish Book Trust and supported by Creative Scotland through Regular Funding. They celebrate the most popular children’s and young adult books by Scottish authors or illustrators and are voted for exclusively by children.   Scottish schoolchildren cast nearly 30,000 votes in this year’s awards, which are judged in three age categories - Bookbug Readers (3-7), Younger Readers (8-11) and Older Readers (12-16). Young participants across the country were encouraged to read the three shortlisted books in their age category and to vote for their favourite. A free copy of each of the three books in the Bookbug Category shortlist was gifted to every Primary 1 child as part of Book Week Scotland 2015.   Midlothian-based author Simon Puttock, who lives in Newtongrange won the Bookbug Reader’s (3-7 yrs) category for his picture book Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School, illustrated by Ali Pye. Published by Nosy Crow, the book follows Mouse on her first day at Miss Moon's Moonlight School for all the small creatures of the night, but she is very shy, too shy to even say hello. Luckily, with help from Miss Moon and her new friends Bat, Cat and Owl, a game of hide-and-seek makes Mouse feel right at home.   Simon is no stranger to the Scottish Children’s Book Awards, having won a 2006 Award for Little Lost Cowboy, and appearing on both the 2008 and 2010 shortlists. Born in New Zealand, he travelled all over the world with his family as a child. He wanted to be a vet when he was little, but grew up to become a bookseller. He was particularly interested in children's books and was chosen to be a Children's Whitbread judge. He has since become a full-time writer, creating over 30 children's books.   Commenting on his win, Simon said:   “What does it mean to me to win the award? Apart from it meaning me being enormously (but happily) surprised, it means being able to take huge pleasure in the fact that Ali's and my book is out there, having an unpredictable but entirely satisfactory life of its own. What more could we wish for?”   Renfrew-based author Ross MacKenzie won the Younger Readers (8-11) category for his novel The Nowhere Emporium. Published by Kelpies, the book explores what happens when the mysterious Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow, and orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it by accident. Before long, the 'shop from nowhere' -- and its owner, Mr Silver -- draw Daniel into a breathtaking world of magic and enchantment. A former winner of a Scottish Children’s Book Award in 2011 for fantasy adventure Zac and the Dream Pirates, Ross was born in Glasgow but grew up and still lives in Renfrew with his wife and two daughters. Ross studied graphic design at college, and after graduating went on to become a page designer for the Daily Record.  Commenting on his win, Ross said: “I'm so delighted to have won the SCBA for ‘The Nowhere Emporium’! Scottish Book Trust do such an amazing job, and these awards are extra-special because it's the readers who make the final decision. Children don't often get the chance to have a voice on this sort of scale, and I believe it's important for them to know that they have that voice and that their opinions matter. Long may the SCBA continue!” Edinburgh-based author Danny Weston, who lives in Tollcross, won the Older Readers (12-16 yrs) category for his book The Piper. Published by Andersen Press, the book follows Peter and his little sister, Daisy, who are evacuated from London to the countryside and find themselves on an isolated farm in the middle of a treacherous marshland. As Daisy gets drawn deeper into the secrets of their new home, Peter starts to realise that something very sinister is going on. What is that music they can hear at night? And who are the children dancing to it?   Danny has published three novels (under the name Philip Caveney) with Edinburgh-based publisher Fledgling Press. These are time travel adventures, all set in Edinburgh at different points in its history. The first book Crow Boy is set in Mary Kings Close, Seventeen Coffins is all about the tiny coffins found on Arthur's Seat in 1836 and the most recent book, One For Sorrow, is all about Robert Louis Stevenson.    Commenting on his win, Danny said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award, especially because it has been voted for, not by critics and industry insiders, but by the people who matter most; the young readers for whom the story was actually written. Thanks to everyone who voted for ‘The Piper’. You have rocked my world.” Jasmine Fassl, Head of Schools at Scottish Book Trust, said;   “It’s a well-worn statistic that a love of books is more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status. Initiatives like the Scottish Children’s Book Awards are intended to instill a love of books in children right from the very start, by making the process of reading fun, interactive and collaborative. But it’s the teachers, librarians, parents, and of course the authors and illustrators, who bring this project to life for the pupils – who download the resources, who put on the silly voices, who cuddle and tickle and leap about. Today we’re celebrating all the people who bring the magic of books to children and set them on a path to being booklovers for life.”    Aly Barr, Head of Literature, Languages and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:   “Once again the Children’s Book Awards confirm Walt Disney’s maxim that “there is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island”. If you’re only buying one book for your child this year, buy all three.”     You can download a photo of photo of Simon Puttock here and a jpg of Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School here.    You can download a photo of photo of Ross MacKenzie here and a jpg of The Nowhere Emporiumhere.   You can download a photo of photo of Danny Weston here and a jpg of The Piper here.      Scottish Children’s Book Awards   The Scottish Children’s Book Awards are managed by Scottish Book Trust and funded by Creative Scotland, they are supported by Waterstones and CALL. Teachers, librarians and book group leaders sign up their groups in the appropriate age group and then the children and young people read, review, discuss and vote for their favourite books. Reviews and book trailers are posted on the Scottish Book Trust website by young judges to share their enthusiasm about the shortlisted books. A Shared Reading scheme, which involves older primary children reading to their younger buddies, is run in 5 local authorities. It is funded by the Barcapel Foundation, the Crerar Trust, the Turtleton Trust and EIS. Videos of each Bookbug category author reading and talking about their book will be available athttp://www.scottishbooktrust.com/scba Scottish Book Trust is a national charity changing lives through reading and writing. Scottish Book Trust believes that books and reading have the power to change lives. As a national charity, we inspire and support the people of Scotland to read and write for pleasure. We give free books to every child in Scotland to ensure families of all backgrounds can share the joy of books at home. We work with teachers to inspire children to develop a love of reading, creating innovative classrooms activities, book awards and author events programme. We support Scotland’s diverse writing community with our training, awards and writing opportunities We fund a range of author events for the public to enjoy and promote Scottish writing to people worldwide We work for a Scotland where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive through literacy. www.scottishbooktrust.com   @scottishbktrust   www.facebook.com/scottishbktrust   Creative Scotland   Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com.  Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland

IBBY Announces the Shortlist for the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Awards

 

IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People is proud to announce the shortlist for the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award – the world’s most prestigious children’s book award:

Authors: Cao Wenxuan from China, Louis Jensen from Denmark, Mirjam Pressler from Germany, Ted van Lieshout from the Netherlands and Lois Lowry from the USA.

Illustrators: Rotraut Susanne Berner from Germany, Pejman Rahimizadeh from Iran, Alessandro Sanna from Italy, Suzy Lee from the Republic of Korea and Marit Törnqvist from the Netherlands.

The jury for this award is comprised of ten members from around the world:

Patricia Aldana from Canada/Guatemala is the 2016 jury president. She led the jury comprising the following Lola Rubio (Argentina), Dolores Prades (Brazil), Wu Qing (China), Kirsten Bystrup (Denmark), Yasmine Motawy (Egypt), Shohreh Yousefi (Iran), Andrej Ilc (Slovenia), Reina Duarte (Spain), Susan Stan (USA) and María Beatriz Medina (Venezuela). Elda Nogueira (Brazil) represented the IBBY President and Liz Page acted as Jury Secretary.

The criteria used to assess the nominations included the aesthetic and literary quality as well as the freshness and innovation of the body of work; the ability to see the child’s point of view and to stretch their curiosity; and the continuing relevance of the works to children and young people. The Award is based on the entire body of work.

After the meeting Aldana said, “It was remarkable to work with such an accomplished jury. Despite coming from so many different cultures and backgrounds there was a surprising degree of consensus. And it was a highly enjoyable process for us all.”

The two winners will be announced at the IBBY Press Conference on 4 April 2016 at the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair. The medals and diplomas will be presented to the winners during the 35^th IBBY Congress in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, 20 August 2016.

About the Award

2016 is the 60th Anniversary of the Hans Christian Andersen Awards. Previous winners include: authors Erich Kästner (Germany), Astrid Lindgren (Sweden), Katherine Paterson (USA), Lygia Bojunga (Brazil) and Margaret Mahy (New Zealand). Illustrators include Peter Sís (Czech Republic), Maurice Sendak (USA), Mitsumasa Anno (Japan), Wolf Erlbruch (Germany) and Robert Ingpen (Australia).

The IBBY members elect the Jury President during the biennial world congress and the Executive Committee elects the international jury of experts from nominations submitted by the IBBY National Sections.

The members of the Jury assess the complete body of the work in all cases. All the candidates nominated for the Award have made outstanding contributions to children’s literature in their countries and are selected by the IBBY National Sections; a complete list of the 2016 candidates is attached.

The International Board on Books for Young People is comprised of 77 National Sections and works to bring children and books together. It is the oldest and most highly regarded organization in the world working globally for children and books. The Andersen Award is sponsored by Nami Island Inc.

For further information: www.ibby.org or www.ibbycongress2016.org
E-mail : ibby@ibby.org

Children's book wins the Costa! Video link

Frances Hardinge has been announced as winner of the 2015 Costa Book of the Year.

There's a great web video of the awards, which includes an interview with Frances, and features celebrity judges including Katy Brand, Janet Ellis and Jane Asher.

 

Costa Book Awards 2015 Highlights Video

http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/9586-frances-hardinge-announced-as-winner-of-the-2015-costa-book-of-the-year

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8t6lZD5Rw

HANDA'S HEN Spring Tour: 16 January - 16 April 2016

Hooray! The LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE production of HANDA'S HEN is touring from 16 Jan - 16 April 2016..

It will be in Barking, Barnard Castle, Burnley, Cambridge, Canterbury, Herts, Ipswich, Lichfield, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Pewsey, Radlett, Rayleigh, Rosendale, Salisbury, Southend-on Sea, Southport, Wolverhampton and LOTS of London venues. CLICK ON THE LINK for places and dates.

In Handa's Kenyan village, where Mondi the hen has gone missing. Handa and her friend, Akeyo search everywhere. They find stripy mice, little lizards, jumpy crickets and lots more. But where is Mondi - and what's her secret?

The shows are for 2-6 year olds.

https://littleangeltheatre.com/upcoming-tours-2/touring/upcoming-tours/handas-hen-2

Wendy and Peter Pan. RSC Stratford-upon-Avon.

Wendy and Peter Pan

There was much to treasure in the RSC’s seasonal production in Stratford -upon Avon in 2015. Created as a play by JM Barrie, this version tells the tale from Wendy’s point of view. Set in a magical space that shape shifted from nursery to lagoon, the Lost Boy’s grotto to The Jolly Roger, and included Pan - with his band of ‘shadows’ - flying with glorious abandon in a joyful exuberant riot of fun and colour. The percussive soundtrack and imaginative lighting added extra atmosphere to this jam-packed presentation.

Charlotte Mills as Tinkerbell is wonderfully argumentative and Darrell D’Saliva as Captain Hook looks suitably fed up with his lot, as Peter, comically played by Rhys Rusbatch, and his lost boys make life uncomfortable for him.

This is a quality production and is welcome as very entertaining theatre for both young and old.

Carousel 2015

The Philosophy Now Award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity

The Philosophy Now Award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity

As part of our twentieth anniversary celebrations Philosophy Now created a new annual award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity. Nominees can be philosophers, authors, scientists, journalists, playwrights or anyone else who has made an outstanding recent contribution to promoting knowledge, reason or public debate about issues that matter.
Philosophy Now editor Rick Lewis described the purpose of the Award in greater depth in his editorial, ‘Against Stupidity’, and in an article inThe Telegraph, ‘The world’s biggest problem is stupidity’.
21 October 2015 update: The winner of the 2015 Award is Cressida Cowell
We are delighted to announce that the 2015 Award for Contributions in the Fight Against Stupidity will be presented to Cressida Cowell, the author of theHow To Train Your Dragon series of children’s books. She will be the first children’s author to receive the Award.
After considering several very strong nominees for this year’s award, the panel decided that nothing combats stupidity in the world more effectively than encouraging children to think. Children are great thinkers and their intellectual abilities are all too often underestimated. In a cultural environment in which children’s natural curiosity and critical spirit are easily dulled and slowly replaced by couch-potato conformity, Cowell’sHow to Train Your Dragon books stand out not only for their humour, excitement, and startlingly vivid descriptive language, but also, more surprisingly, for their profound meditations on complex political, historical, emotional and moral themes. They incite children to reason and to question, and inspire their imagination and inquisitiveness. For this reason the panel decided to award the 2015 Against Stupidity Award to Cressida Cowell.
Responding to news that she will be presented with the Award, Cressida Cowell said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award, and be in such illustrious company of past winners. As parents will know, even quite young children are able to understand complex concepts, and I make a conscious effort never to write down to them.”
The Award will be presented during the Philosophy Now Festival on Saturday 21st November 2015 at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4LR.
The event is free of charge and all Philosophy Now readers and members of the public are very welcome. You don’t need a ticket, though in the event of overcrowding latecomers may have to be turned away.

Cressida Cowell
Previous winners of the Award have been:
2014: Prof. Noam Chomsky (linguist, philosopher, scientist and logician)
2013: Prof. Raymond Tallis (doctor, philosopher, author and poet)
2012: Dr. Ben Goldacre (doctor, scientist and author of the book/newspaper columnBad Science)
2011: Dr. Mary Midgley (philosopher and author)
The prize is always a book token and a trophy. The Award is usually presented at Conway Hall in London, and whenever possible is followed by an acceptance speech by the winner.

LOOGABAROOGA FESTIVAL

MAJOR CHILDREN’S AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS TO APPEAR AT LOOGABAROOGA FESTIVAL

 

Programme launched for five-day children’s illustrated literature festival from 22-26 October 2015

 

The programme for the first-ever Loogabarooga Festival of children’s illustrated literature includes appearances from some of the nation’s favourite children’s authors and illustrators.

 

Events at the Loogabarooga Festival will include workshops with children’s favourites such as Korky Paul, illustrator of Winnie the Witch; Caroline Holden-Hotopf, illustrator of the Adrian Mole books; Nick Butterworth, author/illustrator of Percy the Park Keeper and The Whisperer; Knife and Packer, illustrators of Fleabag Monkeyface; and Steven Butler, author of Diary of Dennis the Menace.

 

Loogabarooga Festival will take place in Loughborough from 22-26 October 2015 and is based on the theme of ‘incredible illustrations and brilliant books’. As well as appearances from some of the nation’s favourite children’s authors and illustrators, it will also showcase new and existing illustrated literature for children through a series of workshops, events, readings and activities.

 

The Loogabarooga Festival programme will be available from libraries, museums and venues across Loughborough and Leicestershire. All of the events are available to view and book (where charges apply) in advance at www.loogabarooga.com

 

The Loogabarooga Festival is organised by Charnwood Borough Council in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Shire Promotions and supported by Arts Council England, Love Loughborough and Loughborough Building Society.

 

Councillor Hilary Fryer, Charnwood Borough Council's Cabinet member for Open Spaces and Leisure, said: “I'm delighted that Loughborough is hosting this festival. Workshops and talks are taking place at venues all across the town and even include a book swap in the market place. The We Love Ladybird exhibition and workshops at Charnwood Museum are a must. We hope people attending will stay for the whole day or more as the festival will be a delight for anyone who enjoys reading books, writing stories or drawing.”

 

 

 

IBBY UK: Honour Book nominations 2016

 IBBY UK

Honour Book nominations 2016

IBBY UK committee is delighted to announce that the following titles have been nominated as the UK Honour Books for the 2016 list.

 

Writing:         S F Said Phoenix

                                    David Fickling Books, 2013 (hardback)

                                    Corgi Random House, 2014 (paperback)

                                    www.sfsaid.com

 

Illustration: Laura Carlin The Promise (author, Nicola Davies)

                                    Walker Books, 2013

                        www.lauracarlin.com

www.thepromise.uk.com

 

Translation:             Chantal Wright Anton and Piranha (author, Milena Baisch, translated from the German)

                                    Andersen Press, 2013

            www.chantalwright.org

 

 

IBBY UK members and publishers put forward a wide range of exciting books for consideration, so the selection process was animated and the nominations panel was impressed with the high quality.

 

All three nominated books explore issues that are relevant to IBBY’s overall aims. Phoenix skilfully integrates comments about our contemporary world - on war and peace, prejudice, borders and barriers to migration, political and moral questions  - into a fast-paced and exciting science fiction narrative.  The Promise locates its strong environmental message within a worldwide context and offers a message of hope based on individual activism. Anton and Piranha explores issues of friendship and fitting in with the lightest of humorous touches in a delightful translation.

 

The books will become part of the 2016 collection alongside works from more than seventy member countries. These will be introduced at the IBBY Congress to be held in New Zealand in August 2016 when diplomas will be presented to the nominated authors, illustrators and translators. A catalogue of the collection will also be produced.

 

The IBBY Honour List is a biennial selection of outstanding, recently published books, honouring writers, illustrators and translators from IBBY member countries. The IBBY Honour List, established in 1956, is one of the most widespread and effective ways of furthering IBBY's objective of encouraging international understanding through children's literature. Seven parallel sets of the books circulate around the world at exhibitions during conferences and book fairs, including the Bologna Book Fair in 2017. Permanent collections of the IBBY Honour List books are kept at the International Youth Library in Munich, the Swiss Institute for Child and Youth Media in Zurich, Bibiana Research Collection in Bratislava, at IBBY in Tokyo and Northwestern University Library at Evanston, Illinois.

 

 

Further information:

info@ibby.org.uk 

IBBY Secretary: John Dunne, 07803 010365

 

http://www.ibby.org/270.0.html

            Full details of the Honour List and pdf copies of previous catalogues

 

www.ibby.org.uk

Egmont Schools and Libraries Bulletin

Hi there,

We are currently creating our very first schools and libraries newsletter!

 

Before we send our first edition we would like to tell you a little more about it.

The newsletter will keep you updated on authors touring in your area, with instructions on how to request a visit, tell you all about our upcoming titles as well as free downloadable activity packs and teaching notes. There’s even the chance to win bookish goodies! The newsletter will arrive in your inbox and you can opt-out at any time.

If you’re interested in receiving our newsletter please reply to: pressoffice@euk.egmont.com by the end of August.

Bodleian Library Launches Children’s Imprint

The Bodleian Library is launching new imprint

Bodleian Children’s Books.

One of the UK and Ireland’s six copyright libraries, Oxford University’s Bodleian Library is home to the Opie Collection of Children's Literature – Britain’s largest collection of children’s literature – along with over 12 million items, ranging from early manuscripts, rare books, maps and postcards to the latest printed publications.

Bodleian Children’s Books will focus on mining the collections to discover and republish timeless and beautifully illustrated children’s books; forgotten gems that can be reintroduced to a new audience. It will also include newly commissioned books, with a connection to libraries, reading and books. Titles will be handsomely produced as attractive gift hardback editions, to be treasured for future generations. Samuel Fanous, the Bodleian Library’s Publisher, said: ‘Many children’s books from the twentieth century have that magic combination of timeless stories perfectly illustrated with gorgeous art which can fire the imagination, as many of us remember well from our own childhood. We aim to bring these to new audiences and commission new titles with a similar profile for young readers.’

The inaugural titles in the new children’s imprint are
Penguin’s Way and Whale’s Way, originally published in the 1960s, due for publication 18 September. Written by US author Johanna Johnston, and with stunning illustrations by Caldecott Prize winner Leonard Weisgard, these titles are a delightful introduction to the natural world of the emperor penguin and humpback whale, told in narrative form with vintage illustrations. Each title has a paper to board cover, cloth quarter binding and charming endpapers.

The Bodleian aims to publish at least two titles per season under the Bodleian Children’s Books imprint. The first for spring 2016 is
Veronica by Roger Duvoisin, again from the sixties; an enchanting tale about a hippo named Veronica who travels to the city and has a series of run-ins with the law. Duvoisin was a renowned Swiss-born American author-illustrator who created the Happy Lion and Petunia series of picture books, along with more than 40 other titles for children. He was awarded the Caldecott medal in 1947. The second spring title will be the children’s classic The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff. The adventures of Babar the little elephant have delighted generations of children ever since his first appearance in 1931. The Bodleian’s gift edition of this unforgettable children’s story, the first in the Babar series, will be the perfect opportunity to rediscover this charming tale and its perennially popular characters.

New POETRY PRIZE launched by National Literacy Trust & Bloomsbury Children's Books

National Literacy Trust and Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Poetry Prize 2015

 

A new competition that challenges people to create a poem about reading and books to inspire young children is being launched by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Bloomsbury Childrens Books. The Poetry Prize is live on the National Literacy Trust website now and runs through until 31^st August 2015.

All forms of poetry are welcome, from sonnets to free verse to rap. Entrants must be over the age of 16. Poems can be up to 16 lines long and written in English (although translations are welcome). Using reading and literature as inspiration the winner will receive an iPad, a selection of Bloomsbury titles and will see their poem feature in a poster campaign sent to schools across the UK.

The winning poem will be selected by a panel of judges including authors Sarah Crossan and Tony Bradman, Commissioning Editor for Bloomsbury Hannah Rolls and National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas.

Sarah Crossan, author of One and The Weight of Water, two novels written in verse said: "Poetry is the first language we speak. When we are born, we own it and we love it but somehow, along the way, children turn away from this, the most primitive of languages. It's everyone's job to make sure children feel that poetry belongs to them - which is does."

100% of entry fees go towards the work of the National Literacy Trust which equips disadvantaged young people with literacy fit for employment and life.

National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas said: "We are delighted to be launching this competition with Bloomsbury to celebrate all types of poetry. The latest National Literacy Trust research into the reading habits of children and young people showed that just one in six children read poetry outside the classroom, although it's interesting to note that disadvantaged children read more poems than their peers. I am looking forward to reading poems that will inspire more children to enjoy poetry in all forms, and to add it to their reading repertoire.'

For more information go to www.literacytrust.org.uk/poetryprize

Announcing the winner of CLiPPA 2015 - Joseph Coelho!

https://www.clpe.org.uk/news/47

Click on the link and see the report form the Awards...
Check out our Facebook group for photos of the event!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carousel-The-Guide-to-Childrens-Books/286537644750791

Book Trust Lifetime Achievement Award

The winner of the Book Trust Lifetime Achievement Award is...

The first ever Book Trust Lifetime Achievement Award winner is the author and illustrator of more than 200 cherished children’s books, Shirley Hughes OBE.

Book Trust Chief Executive Diana Gerald said: 'Shirley continues to innovate and create, providing young children with a love of reading... We often hear about "national treasures", but Shirley Hughes is up there with the best.’

Chris Riddell's Laureate Log

http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/chris-riddell/laureate-log/

Chris Riddell - Children's Laureate

Carousel wishes to congratulate Chris Riddell on being named the children'a laureate for 2015-17.  Wishing you every success for the next 2 years!

2015 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards

2015 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards

The English Association have been promoting the exceptional power of the picture book since 1995. The Picture Book Awards celebrate the unique marriage of word and image, recognising that a captivating text intertwined with creative and eye-catching images bring a book to life in a very special way. 

The 2015 Awards will be presented to the winning authors, illustrators and publishers at the English Association’s AGM on Wednesday 27 May at the British Academy in London.

This year’s Winners are:

4-7 yrs Fiction

·         Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett Templar Publishing

7-11 yrs Fiction 

·         The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell Bloomsbury Children’s Books

4-7 yrs Non-Fiction

·         Gravity by Jason Chin Andersen Press

7-11 yrs Non-Fiction

·         Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill Flying Eye Books