LONGLISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2018 UKLA BOOK AWARDS

@The_UKLA  #UKLA18   #teachersbookawards

The judges for these unique book awards, which are the only awards judged by active classroom teachers, will this year come from Wales, with the 2018 UKLA International Conference, at which the eventual winners are announced, being held in Cardiff.

There are 8 groups of judges in total covering the three age categories and they have until mid-March to read the longlisted books, discuss them with their group leaders, and share them with pupils. All groups will then meet together for the difficult task of choosing their shortlist of 6 books in each category.

Headteachers welcomed the opportunity for their teachers to widen their knowledge of recent children’s titles.  For UKLA, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read a number of new children’s books is as important as finding an overall winner. Research carried out by members of UKLA (Cremin et al 2008) clearly demonstrated the links between teachers’ knowledge of children’s books and the likelihood of pupils becoming successful readers. Despite this evidence, teachers are seldom given time to read new books or funding to purchase them when they do.

 UKLA are grateful for the continued support of the award sponsors, which help the awards to grow and develop each year. Micro Librarian Services (MLS), Lovereading4schools and Lovereading4kids, recognise the value of the judging experience for schools and teachers:

‘Lovereading4schools and its sister site Lovereading4kids is very excited and proud to be a co-sponsor of the UKLA Book Awards 2018. The way UKLA work with schools and pupils complements Lovereading’s approach of using book experts and children reviewers to provide good, trusted guidance for teachers and parents that can be hard to find. We are looking forward to sharing the longlisted, shortlisted and winning books with all the parents and schools who use our websites.’  Robert Prime Director of Lovereading Ltd

The UKLA Selection Panel, chaired by Lynda Graham, whittled down the 361 publisher submissions to arrive at a set of longlists, which excitingly feature books in translation in every category and more nonfiction titles than ever. They were pleased to highlight exciting debut authors as well as established and familiar names in children’s literature. Of particular note is the success of small publishing houses like Barrington Stoke, Otter-Barry Books, Gecko Press and Tiny Owl. Lynda Graham says: “the quality of submissions this year was of a particularly high standard and the panel had no easy task, but we are confident that the teachers and schools involved in the judging will benefit enormously from the impact of these quality texts in their schools” All of the books exemplify the award criteria of writing which offers language rich in layered meanings, imaginative expression and exciting vocabulary. Where present, high quality illustration is also an important feature of the chosen texts.

Longlist 3-6

Title	Author	Illustrator	Translator	Publisher
Pigeon P.I.	Meg McLaren				Andersen Press
Under the Same Sky	Britta Teckentrup				Caterpillar Books
The Night Gardener	Eric and Terry Fan				Frances Lincoln
Grandad's Secret Giant	David Litchfield				Frances Lincoln
Don't Cross the Line!	Isabel Minós Martins	Bernardo P Carvalho	Daniel Hahn		Gecko Press
My Pictures after the Storm	Eric Viellé		Daniel Hahn		Gecko Press
Odd Dog Out	Rob Biddulph				HarperCollins
Oi Dog!	Kes and Claire Gray	Jim Field			Hodder
The Darkest Dark	Chris Hadfield	The Fan Brothers			Macmillan
The Wolf Who Cried Boy	James O'Neill	Russell Ayto			Picture Corgi
Grumpy Frog	Ed Vere				Puffin
The Storm Whale in Winter	Benji Davies				Simon & Schuster
You Must Bring a Hat	Simon Philip	Kate Hindley			Simon & Schuster
My Name is not Refugee	Kate Milner				The Bucket List
A Bottle of Happiness	Pippa Goodhart	Ehsan Abdollahi			Tiny Owl Publishing
Old Hat	Emily Gravett				Two Hoots
Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea	Morag Hood				Two Hoots
A Perfect Day	Lane Smith				Two Hoots
Goodnight Everyone	Chris Haughton				Walker Books
A First Book of Animals	Nicola Davies	Petr Horaĉek			Walker Books
A Child of Books	Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston				Walker Books
Counting with Tiny Cat	Viviane Schwarz				Walker Books
It Starts with a Seed	Laura Knowles	Jennie Webber			Words & Pictures

Longlist 7-11

Title	Author	Illustrator	Translator	Publisher
The White Fox	Jackie Morris			Barrington Stoke
Good Dog McTavish	Meg Rosoff	Grace Easton		Barrington Stoke
The Song From Somewhere Else	A.F.Harrold	Levi Pinfold		Bloomsbury
Lesser Spotted Animals	Martin Brown			David Fickling Books
Fish Boy	Chloe Daykin	Richard Jones		Faber & Faber
The Legend of Podkin One-Ear	Kieran Larwood	David Wyatt		Faber & Faber
Aubrey and the Terrible Ladybirds	Horatio Clare	Jane Matthews		Firefly Press
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe	Megumi Iwasa	Jun Takabatake	Cathy Hirano	Gecko Press
What Not to do if you Turn Invisible	Ross Welford			HarperCollins
Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest	Julian Gough	Jim Field		Hodder
Welcome to Nowhere	Elizabeth Laird	Lucy Eldridge		Macmillan
The Road to Ever After	Moira Young	Hannah George		Macmillan
Peter in Peril	Helen Bate			Otter-Barry Books
Me and Mister P	Maria Farrer	Daniel Rieley		OUP
A Story Like the Wind	Gill Lewis	Jo Weaver		OUP
There May Be a Castle	Piers Torday			Quercus
The Goldfish Boy	Lisa Thompson			Scholastic
The Tale of Angelino Brown	David Almond	Alex T Smith		Walker Books
Football School: Where Football Explains the World	Alex, Bellos and Ben Lyttleton	Spike Gerrell		Walker Books
The Street Beneath My Feet	Charlotte Guillian	Yuval Zommer		Words & Pictures

Longlist 12-16

Title	Author	Illustrator	Translator	Publisher
Optimists Die First	Susin Nielsen			Andersen Press
Encounters	Jason Wallace			Andersen Press
Goodbye Days	Jeff Zentner			Andersen Press
Mind The Gap	Phil Earle			Barrington Stoke
Passing for White	Tanya Landman			Barrington Stoke
We Come Apart	Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan			Bloomsbury
Lydia- the Wild Girl of Pride & Prejudice	Natasha Farrant			Chicken House
The Island at the End of Everything	Kiran Millwood Hargrave			Chicken House
The Hypnotist	Laurence Anholt			Corgi
Wolf Hollow	Lauren Wolk			Corgi
Kid Got Shot	Simon Mason			David Fickling Books
Orangeboy	Patrice Lawrence			Hodder
Out of Heart	Irfan Master			Hot Key Books
The Bone Sparrow	Zana Fraillon			Orion
Saint Death	Marcus Sedgwick			Orion
Black Light Express	Philip Reeve			OUP
Frogkisser!	Garth Nix			Piccadilly Press
Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord	Bessora	Barroux	Sarah Ardizzone	The Bucket List
Where the World Ends	Geraldine McCaughrean			Usborne
The Hate You Give	Angie Thomas			Walker Books

Notes To Editors

About UKLA

 UKLA is a registered charity, which has as its sole object the advancement of education in literacy. UKLA is committed to promoting good practice nationally and internationally in literacy and language teaching and research. The Association was founded in 1963 as the United Kingdom Reading Association. In 2003 it changed its name to the United Kingdom Literacy Association, to reflect more accurately its wider range of focus and interest.

UKLA especially supports the development of approaches to literacy learning and teaching which underpin these understandings. The Association recognises the significance for effective language and communication learning of literature, drama, the visual media, non-fiction texts and information technology, as well as welcoming approaches to teaching which draw on the resources of a wide range of cultures and which are informed by a detailed understanding of how literacy and language work.

About MLS

Sponsors MLS have over 30 years’ experience developing engaging software for schools and colleges and are currently delivering 21st century library automation solutions to over 17,000 schools worldwide. The Reading Cloud powered by Junior Librarian.net revolutionises the way children interact with books in our digital age. Providing a live, safe online reading community which supports the curriculum and is aimed at driving reading for enjoyment. Using engaging and innovative technologies the Reading Cloud’s tools and features support and empower pupils to become motivated independent readers and learners for life. To find out more visit the Reading Cloud primary page at https://home.microlib.co.uk/junior.html

MLS are delighted again to be supporting these prestigious and unique children’s book awards.

 About Lovereading4schools and Kids

Countless research shows the importance of good reading skills from an early age and a child’s future success in life. However, finding books to inspire children or authors that excite them, can be difficult; the choice is daunting and guidance rather thin on the ground. That’s where Lovereading4kids and its sister site Lovereading4schools can help.

Lovereading4kids is the leading book recommendation site for Children’s Books from toddlers to teens. It has been created using the experience the founders have as parents, book lovers and years of working in the book industry, to inspire children to read great books.

Unique features and services help parents and anyone who likes to buy books for children choose the best books for boys and girls of all ages … and best of all it is free to use.

•      Download and print off the Opening Extract of over 10,000 children’s books.

•      Read our exclusive online book reviews by children’s book experts including Julia Eccleshare (author and children’s books editor at the Guardian).

•      Explore reviews by members of our children’s reader review panel.

•      Discover new books recommended by humans not computer algorithms.

Lovereading4schools was created to help teachers and parents encourage children to love reading a variety of books throughout the school year. The website offers schools an easy, impartial and free way to create and share reading lists with their parents and pupils, offering age appropriate books as well as themed collections of titles.

Specially curated lists are arranged by school year, ranging from Reception to Year 9 and onwards through teenage years. There are also specialist categories for Reluctant and Dyslexic Readers that can make a real difference to those who struggle with their reading.

Lovereading4schools is endorsed by Jacqueline Wilson and all titles are selected by Julia Eccleshare MBE, the children’s book editor for The Guardian. 

Visit the websites Lovereading.co.uk and Lovereading4schools.co.uk make choosing books for children a joy!

Shortlist announcement w/b March 26th 2018

The winners will be announced on July 6th at the UKLA International Conference, Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff

Enquires fao Lynda Graham awards@ukla.org

Oxford University Press: Project X Comprehension Express

Oxford University Press

Project X Comprehension Express

Oxford University Press research* reveals teachers’ concerns that pupils find comprehension to be one of the most challenging areas of the KS2 SATs and that it is an area of low engagement for both boys and girls when preparing for the tests.
This is corroborated by the recent English National Key Stage 2 2017 results that revealed reading comprehension as one of the major challenges in improving reading standards across the UK with 29% of pupils failing to reach the expected standard this year (29% of 589,428 = 170,934).
Source: National tables: SFR 43/2017, National curriculum assessments: key stage 2, 2017 (provisional), The Department for Education, August 2017

Project X Comprehension Express has been developed by Oxford University Press (OUP) experts to engage all pupils and help raise reading standards across all schools.
Oxford University Press (OUP) announced today the findings of recent educational research. The survey carried out by OUP as part of its ongoing research programme involved over 200 teachers and took place immediately after the national tests and assessments in May 2017.
Teachers surveyed found that, for girls, comprehension was the most challenging part of the KS2 tests (above Maths and Writing) while for boys comprehension was second only to writing as the most challenging aspect of the tests.
Furthermore, across the whole cohort (boys and girls combined), comprehension was felt by teachers to be an area of low pupil engagement when preparing for the KS2 tests.
Andrea Quincey, Head of English, UK Education, at OUP added: ‘This research shows that teachers are concerned about children missing out on the chance to develop crucial comprehension skills. It is vital that children are offered the right support to develop these.’
Di Hatchett, OUP author explains: ‘Comprehension skills underpin not only ability but also (and critically) motivation and enjoyment in reading. All these aspects are critical across the school curriculum, for lifelong learning and for reading for pleasure.’
*Research conducted by Oxford University Press’s market research team from 18th May 2017 to 26th May 2017 with teachers in the UK (225 respondents, 191 of which answered questions about the KS2 SATs). Full report available on request.

What independent research recommends for teaching comprehension effectively:
The recent Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) guidance report published earlier this year emphasised the importance of teaching reading comprehension strategies through modelling and supported practice to raise reading standards in Key Stage 2.
These same ideas are also featured in recent studies by Tennent, Reedy, Hobsbaum and Gamble in 2016, who tell us about the value of comprehension strategies and teacher modelling.
The National Reading Panel in 2000 also spoke about the critical role of vocabulary and language, reading comprehension instruction and learning to learn (metacognitive strategies) as three key ways to improve reading comprehension.

The Project X Comprehension Express approach for Years 4-6 (P5-P7)
OUP have carefully reviewed this research and have worked with comprehension experts Di Hatchett and Gill Jordan to create Project X Comprehension Express (publishing September 2017), a brand-new series that encompasses these ideas into classroom resources and training.
Project X Comprehension Express is a whole-class teaching programme specially built to help children in Years 4-6 (P5-P7) master comprehension and excel in the new National Reading test.
There are 10 comprehension strategies (Expert Tips) identified in the series: Ask a question; Stop and check it makes sense – take action; Think and remember; Visualize, Predict, Make connections – search for clues; Read it again; Summarize the text; Explore vocabulary; Use text structures, features and language. These 10 child-friendly expert tips effectively scaffold children’s learning as they are introduced one by one in each of the Three Stages in the series but with a slightly different emphasis and approach as they move up the stages though Years 4-6 (P5-P7).
As children master each strategy they begin to choose independently which expert tip to apply. This builds confidence in their ability to compose answers to comprehension questions and prepares them for the National Reading Test.
There are three Collections of texts at each stage and these are used for mastering the strategies. The texts are accessible for every child, including those just below age-related expectations, and OUP has consulted children to make sure that the reading material feels sophisticated enough for every reader. There are nine different texts on a unifying theme in each Collection and they all contain Poetry, Non-fiction and Fiction. As children work through the Stages the texts build in complexity and sophistication to move children gradually children towards the expected level of the national test paper.
As part of Project X Comprehension Express there is a teaching and assessment handbook, suggested timetable and lesson plans and workbooks for the children help to keep a record of each child’s progress. The workbooks allow the children to apply the Expert Tip that they focus on in the lesson and encourage children to compose answers to comprehension questions independently, all gently moving them towards test conditions and preparing them for the National Reading Test.
Project X Comprehension Express experts, Di Hachett and Gill Jordan, and Professional Development leader, Nicola Romaine are available for interview or to write features on the key elements of Comprehension Express including how to:
· Teach using comprehension strategies
· Implement effective teacher modelling
· Provide the right level of supported practice
· Stretch high-achievers and guide struggling pupils
· Support EAL pupils

About Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.
OUP is the world's largest university press with the widest global presence. It currently publishes thousands of new publications a year, has offices in around fifty countries, and employs some 6,000 people worldwide.
It has become familiar to millions through a diverse publishing programme that includes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, school and college textbooks, children's books, materials for teaching English as a foreign language, business books, dictionaries and reference books, and academic journals.
Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP t: 01865 354579 www.oxfordprimary.co.uk
Twitter: @OUPPrimary

For more information, images, samples or to arrange an interview or written feature from one of the experts please contact: Laura Smythe m: 07881555530 or email: laurasmythecontact@gmail.com

FURTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Project X Comprehension Express content and visuals available for use
Comprehension Express · Webpage: www.oxfordprimary.co.uk/pxcompexpress
· Free lesson
o Includes lesson plan for Stage 2 of the programme including extract from Teaching Handbook with PCM teaching prop and best practice film, with reading text and expert tip cards for pupils to use o Link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/compexpress · 60 second animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqT6sPyx9EE&t=2s
· Best practice films from a lesson in action and test support on Oxford Owl: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/direct-link/project-x-comprehension-express
NB: You must register to access this support, but it is completely free.
· Logo on request
· Book jackets on request
· Sample pages on request
Overarching comprehension support from Oxford
· SATs infographic: http://fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/oxed/primary/Next_Steps_infographic.pdf
· Comprehension webinar r

UKLA Book Award Winners 2017

 TEACHER JUDGES ACKNOWLEDGE THE POWER OF PICTURES AMONGST AWARDS CELEBRATING LANGUAGE, IMAGE AND IMAGINATION

@The_UKLA  #UKLA17   #teachersbookawards

The unique UKLA Book Awards are the only awards to be judged entirely by teachers. Their choice of winning books which, according to the criteria, can “enhance all aspects of literacy learning”clearly demonstrates the fresh perspective that class teachers bring to the judging of book awards.  They are able to share the books with their classes and discover what genuinely works with young readers in each of the three age categories.   

For the first time ever a picturebook has won the 7-11 category. The judges found that The Journeyby Francesca Sanna provoked a powerful response from children of all ages. This Kate Greenaway Medal shortlisted book has, of course, just been awarded the 2017 Amnesty CILIP Honour; and remarkably, due to differing dates for eligibility, the 2016 Amnesty CILIP Honour winner, There’s a Bear On MY Chair by Ross Collins has also won the UKLA 3-6 category demonstrating that human rights are a very current classroom topic. The ‘teachers’ Carnegie’ judges, like the librarian judges, also reflected a very transatlantic flavour in their choices this year with The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen by Canadian author Susin Nielsen winning the 12-16 category and American author and illustrator, Brian Selznick’s The Marvels being Highly Commended, further demonstrating that the power of pictures does not diminish as students get older.

For UKLA, giving classroom practitioners the opportunity to read a number of new quality children’s books is as important as finding an overall winner. Research carried out by members of UKLA (Cremin et al 2008) clearly demonstrated the links between teachers’ knowledge of children’s books and the likelihood of pupils becoming successful readers. Despite this evidence, teachers are seldom given time to read new books or funding to purchase them when they do. As Awards Chair Lynda Graham said: “It was very moving to hear the teacher judges, from all across Scotland, describe the impact within schools of their being involved in these awards. Not only did it open their eyes to the value of picturebooks for all ages but it galvanised their pupils’ enthusiasm for reading.”

This makes these awards particularly useful for co-sponsor Peter Crawshaw, Director and Co-founder of Lovereading4kids who said:

 “Lovereading4schools and its sister site Lovereading4kids are delighted to support the UKLA Book Awards. The fact that the teacher judges reflect on their students’ responses to the books gives the award huge credibility and trust that schools use to know the books will be loved by their own pupils. The awards are equally valuable for parents who cannot fail to be impressed by these excellent winners”

The Award winners for the book categories 3 to 6, 7 to 11 and 12 to16+ years will be announced and presented at a wine reception at the UKLA International Conference at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow on June 30th.

Andrew Lambirth, President of UKLA said ‘We know that literature broadens the reader’s experience of the world and sense of the possible and thus should have a central place in classrooms and educational contexts. Children need access to a rich range of high quality literature and our awards highlight some of the very best literature currently available to children and young people in the UK.  We are proud to be celebrating these truly outstanding winners at our International Conference ‘

The winning book in the 12 to 16+ category is The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen by Susin Nielsen. Published by Andersen Press

‘A really good book changes the way you see the world’ and this book demonstrated that powerful effect in the judges’ classrooms. This is indeed a remarkable book: with a diary format that is a gift for engaging with reluctant readers and for creative writing; multi-faceted authentic characters that evoke empathy and provoke intense class discussions of relevant topics such as bullying, divorce and family breakdown; and yet is also warm, humane, sensitive and funny,

 

The judges also presented a Highly Commended award to The Marvels written and illustrated by Brian Selznick. Published by Scholastic

 

This beautiful and special book provides a unique experience for the reader and the judges wished to commend a unique method of telling the story: first through cinematic wordless pictures then by narrative text. With the immediately accessible images you create your own narrative and this engages the interest of even the most reluctant of readers in fiction and the power of story.

 

The winning book in the 7 to 11 category is The Journey written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna published by Flying Eye Books

 

The judges reported that this important book for our times was used throughout their schools and had impact and meaning for all ages and abilities. This story of a mother seeking a safe refuge for her family really demonstrated the power of pictures to inspire discussion, empathy and creative writing. The powerful simple language was both challenging without being intimidating and the whole book provoked such rich responses from children that it was truly outstanding

 

The winning book for the 3 to 6 category There's a Bear on MY Chair by Ross Collins published by Nosy Crow

 

A superb example of how interesting words and evocative pictures should work together and one which also demonstrates a very clever use of design; with differing font size and colour expressing tone, emphasis and volume. The clever rhyme reads aloud very well and the perfectly expressive and humorous illustrations really engage young children in discussing the story and the issues of restorative justice that it raises, providing a wonderful stimulus for dramatic re-telling.

The Shortlists in full

3-6

The Lion Inside written by Rachel Bright and illustrated by Jim Field (Orchard Books)

There's a Bear on MY Chair written and illustrated by Ross Collins        (Nosy Crow)

A Hungry Lion or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (Simon & Schuster)

Grandad's Island written and illustrated by Benji Davies(Simon & Schuster)

Tidy written and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots)

The Bear and the Piano written and illustrated by David Litchfield (Frances Lincoln)

 

7-11

Little Bits of Sky written by S.E Durrant and illustrated by Katie Harnett (Nosy Crow)

Gorilla Dawn written by Gill Lewis(Oxford University Press)

Pugs of the Frozen North written and illustrated by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (Oxford University Press)

The Wolf Wilder written by Katherine Rundell and illustrated by Gelrev Ongbico (Bloomsbury)

The Journey written and illustrated by Francesca Sanna (Flying Eye Books)

Time Travelling with a Hamster written by Ross Welford (HarperCollins)

 

12-16

The Smell of Other People's Houses written by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock (Faber &Faber)

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen written by Susin Nielsen (Andersen Press)

Orbiting Jupiter written by Gary .D. Schmidt (Andersen Press)

Railhead written by Philip Reeve (Oxford University Press)

The Marvels written and illustrated by Brian Selznick (Scholastic)

Fire Colour One written by Jenny Valentine (HarperCollins)

 

Notes to Editors

About UKLA

 UKLA is a registered charity, which has as its sole object the advancement of education in literacy. UKLA is committed to promoting good practice nationally and internationally in literacy and language teaching and research. The Association was founded in 1963 as the United Kingdom Reading Association. In 2003 it changed its name to the United Kingdom Literacy Association, to reflect more accurately its wider range of focus and interest.

UKLA especially supports the development of approaches to literacy learning and teaching which underpin these understandings. The Association recognises the significance for effective language and communication learning of literature, drama, the visual media, non-fiction texts and information technology, as well as welcoming approaches to teaching which draw on the resources of a wide range of cultures and which are informed by a detailed understanding of how literacy and language work.

About MLS

Sponsors Micro Librarian Systems have over 25 years’ experience developing high specification library systems for schools and colleges and provide library automation solutions to over 15,000 schools worldwide. They provide cost effective and user friendly library systems which will revolutionise the way the library works, support the curriculum and encourage reading for pleasure and purpose.

They are committed to providing engaging technologies to foster a reading and information culture that promotes independent motivated readers and learners for life. For more information see www.microlib.org.uk

About Lovereading4schools and Kids

Countless research shows the importance of good reading skills from an early age and a child’s future success in life. However, finding books to inspire children or authors that excite them, can be difficult; the choice is daunting and guidance rather thin on the ground. That’s where Lovereading4kids and its sister site Lovereading4schools can help.

 

Lovereading4kids is the leading book recommendation site for Children’s Books from toddlers to teens. It has been created using the experience the founders have as parents, book lovers and years of working in the book industry, to inspire children to read great books.

 

Unique features and services help parents and anyone who likes to buy books for children choose the best books for boys and girls of all ages … and best of all it is free to use.

 

•           Download and print off the Opening Extract of over 10,000 children’s books.

•           Read our exclusive online book reviews by children’s book experts including Julia Eccleshare (author and children’s books editor at the Guardian).

•           Explore reviews by members of our children’s reader review panel.

•           Discover new books recommended by humans not computer algorithms.

 

Lovereading4schools was created to help teachers and parents encourage children to love reading a variety of books throughout the school year. The website offers schools an easy, impartial and free way to create and share reading lists with their parents and pupils, offering age appropriate books as well as themed collections of titles.

 

Specially curated lists are arranged by school year, ranging from Reception to Year 9 and onwards through teenage years. There are also specialist categories for Reluctant and Dyslexic Readers that can make a real difference to those who struggle with their reading.

 

Lovereading4schools is endorsed by Jacqueline Wilson and all titles are selected by Julia Eccleshare MBE, the children’s book editor for The Guardian. 

 

Visit the websites Lovereading.co.uk and Lovereading4schools.co.uk

 

Past Winners

 

2016

3-6: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex.T. Smith, ( Scholastic)

Highly Commended: On Sudden Hill by Linda Sarah and Benji Davies(illustrator), (Simon & Schuster)

7-11: The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold and Emily Gravett (illustrator), ( Bloomsbury)

Highly Commended: The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel, (David Fickling)

12-16+ : The Lie Tree by Francis Hardinge( Macmillan)

2015

3-6: The Day the Crayons Quit, Drew Daywalt , Oliver Jeffers (illustrator)( HarperCollins

7-11: Oliver and the Seawigs, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, (Oxford University Press)

Highly Commended 7-11 Award: Us Minus Mum, Heather Butler, (Little,Brown)

12-16: Every Day by David Levithan, published by Egmont

2014

3-6:  This is not my Hat, Jon Klassen (Walker Books)

Highly Commended 3-6 Award: Open Very Carefully, Nick Bromley, Nicola O’Byrne (Illustrator), (Nosy Crow)

7 to 11: The Story of the Blue Planet, Andri Snær Magnason, Julian Meldon D'Arcy, (translator), Áslaug Jónsdóttir (Illustrator), (Pushkin Press)

12- 16:  Now is the Time for Running, Michael Williams, (Tamarind Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books)

2013

3 - 6 : Good Little Wolf, Nadia Shireen Rayner (Jonathan Cape)

7 - 11: The Weight of Water, Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury)

12- 16:  Code Name Verity, Elizabeth Wein (Electric Monkey)

2012

3 - 6: Iris and Isaac, Catherine Rayner (Little Tiger Press)

7 - 11: Sky Hawk, Gill Lewis (Oxford University Press)

12 - 16: A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay (Walker)

2011

3-11:  Birdsong,Ellie Sandall (Egmont)

12-16: Out of Shadows, Jason Wallace ws (Andersen Press)

2010

3-11: Then,Morris Gleitzman (Puffin)

12-16: The Graveyard Book,Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell (illustrator) (Bloomsbury)

Special commendation:Tales from Outer Surburbia, Shaun Tan (Templar)

2009

3-11: Archie’s War,Marcia Williams (Walker)

Highly commended 3-11: The Invention of Hugo Cabret,Brian Selznick (Scholastic)

12-16: Bog Child,Siobhan Dowd (David Fickling - Random House Children’s Books)

2008

Picture book category: Penguin,Polly Dunbar (Walker )

Here Lies Arthur,Philip Reeve (Scholastic)

 

 

Full details of the Awards and the winners (from 7.15pm on 30^th June), are on https://ukla.org/awards/ukla-book-award

 

 

For further information please contact:

Lynda Graham

UKLA

Room 9

c/o VAL

9 Newarke Street

Leicester

LE1 5SN

 

A World of My Own

Featured in the new issue of Carousel is a tribute to Chris Stephenson who passed away earlier this year.  Chris interviewed over a hundred authors and illustrators for Carousel.  

His wrote A World of My Own about his growing up in London in the forties and fifties, and it was published just prior to his death.  

If you would like to order a copy, please send your order to Enid Stephenson, 5 Fromus Walk, Saxmundham, IP17 1GG.  Cheques payable to Enid Stephenson for £10 per copy. 

Any queries to enid.stephenson@gmail.com

All profits will be passed on to charity.

CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA) 2017

§  Announcement of shortlist for the Award

§  Launch of Schools Shadowing Scheme

§  15th anniversary of CLiPPA to be celebrated at National Theatre

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) is delighted to announce the 2017 shortlist for the Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award (CLiPPA). Established in 2003, CLiPPA encourages and celebrates outstanding poetry published for children. 2017 is the 15^th anniversary of the award, which remains the only annual award in the UK for published poetry for children.

This year’s shortlist truly celebrates the breadth and depth of poetry for children being published in the UK. From the early years appeal of Zim Zam Zoom! by James Carter to the verse novel for older readers, Booked by Kwame Alexander; from Kate Wakeling’s debut collection for children Moon Juice, to Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots by long-time favourite and previous CLiPPA winner Michael Rosen; and from single poet collections to the celebratory anthology Wonderland, Alice in Poetry edited by Michaela Morgan.

Throughout the 15 years of CLiPPA, CLPE has continued to shine a light on poetry for children as a fundamental element in the development of children’s literacy. Commitment to poetry through the educational resource websitePoetryline and CLPE’s Power of Poetry training for teachers, combined with the profile and prestige of CLiPPA, have contributed to the number of publisher submissions for the poetry award increasing by 50% from 2016 to 2017. 

The full shortlist is:

·        Kwame Alexander: Booked, Andersen Press - A free verse novel, written in the voice of 12 year old soccer-loving boy.

·        James Carter: Zim Zam Zoom!, illustrated by Nicola Colton, Otter-Barry Books - Perfectly pitched for the young listener or early reader with plenty of opportunities for joining in.

·        Michaela Morgan (editor): Wonderland; Alice in Poetry, Macmillan - Anthology celebrating the spirit of Wonderland with each poet bringing their own refreshing spin.

·        Michael Rosen: Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots, illustrated by David Tazzyman, Bloomsbury - Quirky, clever poems from those that involve humorous misunderstandings to thoughtful and more intimate musings.

·        Kate Wakeling: Moon Juice, illustrated by Elīna Brasliņa, The Emma Press - A debut collection of poetry that presents magical, strange and unlikely events in a confident and persuasive way.

Rachel Rooney, Poet and Chair of the CLiPPA 2017 Judges commented: “Judging was made a challenge by the spread of books that were submitted as the CLiPPA is open to published poetry books for a diverse and changing readership, from the pre-schooler to the early teen. Writing poetry for children can appear easy but writing powerful poetry that is accessible and appealing to children is considerably more difficult to achieve. In their own particular way, all the shortlisted books did this.” Watch Rachel announcing the shortlisthttps://vimeo.com/217660795

Louise Johns-Shepherd, Chief Executive, CLPE said: “This year we celebrate 15 years of the Poetry Award with the largest number of submissions for many years and an award show where we will have more than 1000 children in the audience. We are delighted that the power of the poetic form is being recognised so widely by schools and by publishers and that thousands of children will discover the wonderful books on this shortlist through our Poetryline resources and our shadowing scheme.”

The judging panel is chaired by the poet and CLiPPA 2012 winner, Rachel Rooney along with Sarah Crossan, poet and CLiPPA 2016 joint winner for One, Caleb Femi, poet and the Young People's Laureate for London, Charlotte Hacking, CLPE Learning Programme Leader and Imogen Russell Williams, children’s book critic and editorial consultant. Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell, will live draw the Award Ceremony.

The winner of the 2017 Award will be announced on July 14th 2017 at a special ceremony celebrating 15 years of the CLiPPA Poetry Award in the 1000+-seater Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre in London.  The audience will enjoy poetry performances from children participating in the Shadowing Scheme, the shortlisted poets and special poet appearances. The winner of the Award will receive £1000 and a specially bound edition of their book created by the bookbinder Mark Cockram.

The free Shadowing Scheme to involve schools in the Poetry Award 2017 is now open.

In 2016 over 3900 children participated in the Shadowing Scheme and this year it is set to be even more successful with a record number of pre-registrations. The Shadowing Scheme gives children an opportunity to enjoy literacy with tremendous vigour and high expectations. Exploring and performing poetry demonstrates how children can work to high standards and still enjoy a thrilling experience that will remain with them for a long time. Watch Young Person’s Laureate for London, Caleb Femi open the Shadowing Schemehttps://vimeo.com/217660608

As part of the Shadowing Scheme, a competition will see children from winning schools invited to perform on stage at the Award Ceremony. Schools are also invited to apply for tickets to attend the Award Ceremony which will encompass a Poetry Show with all the shortlisted poets.  All schools, regardless of whether they are participating in the Shadowing Scheme, can take poetry into the classroom supported by free high quality resources including films of shortlisted poets performing and accompanying teaching resources; available on CLPE’s Poetryline website www.clpe.org.uk/poetryline

For further information about the award, the shadowing scheme or the shortlisted books please visithttps://www.clpe.org.uk/poetry. For press, photography or logos contact Fatim Kesvani fatim@clpe.org.uk / 07450 854548

Brian Alderson donates rare children’s book collection to Newcastle University and Seven Stories

Brian Wouldhave Alderson, a Freeman of the City of Newcastle and a renowned children’s literature scholar, is donating his extraordinary collection of children's books to Newcastle University and Seven Stories:
The National Centre for Children’s Books. Believed to be the largest privately-owned children’s literature collection in the UK, it is made up of more than 20,000 books, dating from the 17th century to the present day. Works come from the United States, France, Germany and Britain, and the collection includes original illustrations and papers related to Brian’s diverse career.
Brian is a respected author, editor, critic, and scholar who has curated many exhibitions and is a former children’s books editor of The Times (1967 – 1996). He has collected books for more than 60 years, beginning when he was an undergraduate with cheap editions of work by the poets Ezra Pound and T.S.Eliot. His interest in children's books came later but soon became a passion.
The donation is a mark of Brian’s long-standing and ongoing support for both Newcastle University and Seven Stories. He was awarded an honorary degree by the University in 2016. He said: ‘With the University’s scholarly interests in children’s literature and historic children’s book collections, and with Seven Stories being the national home of contemporary children’s books, I am delighted to be able to augment the City's prominence in fostering interest in what is an unduly neglected subject.”
Jill Taylor-Roe, Acting University Librarian at Newcastle University, said: “The Alderson Collection enhances and extends the University Library’s unique and distinctive holdings in Children’s Literature, and together with Seven Stories’ holdings, will create an incredibly rich resource for anyone interested in the history and further development of children’s literature.”
Sarah Lawrance, Collections and Exhibitions Director at Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books, said: “We are immensely grateful to Brian Alderson for the generous gift of his collection, which includes many rare and unique books – now to be made publicly accessible for the first time – and complements the holdings of Seven Stories and the Philip Robinson Library perfectly.”
The books will enhance the research of the Children’s Literature Unit, a research group within Newcastle University’s School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. Kim Reynolds, Professor of Children’s Literature at Newcastle University, said: ‘We are all excited by this splendid donation. Thanks to Brian’s unique expertise, this collection is full of rare and unusual items, and it will be an invaluable contribution to the work of establishing Newcastle as a world-class centre for the study of children’s books.”
The transfer of the Alderson Collection to Newcastle has already begun and, in the future, it is expected that the whole collection will be available for research and teaching, and by members of the public. The material that has already been catalogued is available to view on Newcastle University’s Library Search. The donation of the Collection jointly to the two organisations is a key outcome of Seven Stories’ and Newcastle University’s Vital North Partnership, funded by Arts Council England. The two organisations are marking Brian’s generous donation with a free exhibition of some of the highlights from the Collection at Newcastle University’s Philip Robinson Library, opening in June 2017 and running throughout the summer. Brian Alderson will also be giving a free talk at the library about his collection, Every book has its own history: Reflections of a collector of children’s books, at 5.30pm on Wednesday 14th June. To find out more about Brian Alderson’s talk on 14th June, visit: www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on.

Lollies 2017 Shortlist

SCHOLASTIC UK ANNOUNCE LOLLIES 2017 SHORTLIST OF FUNNIEST BOOKS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Michael Rosen, children’s novelist, poet and former Children’s Laureate, today announced the shortlist for the 2017 Laugh Out Loud Awards (The Lollies), a set of awards, now in its second year, created by Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, to celebrate the funniest children’s books.

Having long championed humorous books for children Rosen said of the shortlist:

“This is a collection of 12 whizzy, crazy, hilarious books. They are guaranteed to tickle. Parents and teachers wondering how to keep your children interested in reading, why not start here? And you can always start them off by reading them out loud - funny voices an' all!"

Rosen and his judging panel, consisting of Nicolette Jones, journalist and Sunday Times Children’s Book Editor and Katie Thistleton, presenter and host of the CBBC Children’s Book Club, were tasked with making the selected shortlist from over 130 books submitted by children’s publishers.

The Lollies are awarded in three categories: Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book, Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6-8s and Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9-13s. The shortlisted books in each category are as follows:

Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book

Oi Dog by Kes Gray and Jim Field (Hodder Children’s Books)

Eat Your People by Lou Kuenzler and David Wojtowycz (Orchard Books)

Prince of Pants by Alan Macdonald and Sarah McIntyre (Scholastic)

Danny McGee Drinks the Sea by Andy Stanton and Neal Layton (Hodder Children’s Books)

Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6-8 year olds

Thimble Monkey Superstar by Jon Blake and Martin Chatterton (Firefly Press)

Hamish and the Neverpeople by Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler (Simon and Schuster)

Eddy Stone and the Epic Holiday Mash-Up by Simon Cherry (Usborne)

Future Ratboy and the Invasion of the Nom Noms by Jim Smith (Egmont)

 

Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9-13 year olds.

I Don't Like Poetry by Joshua Seigal (Bloomsbury)

The Best Medicine by Christine Hamil (Little Island Books)

My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord by David Solomons and Laura Ellen Anderson (Nosy Crow)

AniMalcolm by David Baddiel and Jim Field (Harper Collins)

The winning book in each category will be decided solely by children’s votes, with schools and parents encouraged to help kids get involved and vote via the Lollies website, www.scholastic.co.uk/lollies, or via the Scholastic channel on the PopJam app.

The winning books will be announced at an awards ceremony in London in January 2018.

The Lollies were created in response to findings from Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, (www.scholastic.co.uk/readingreport) which found that what two-thirds of children aged 6-17 looked for when choosing books for themselves were ‘books that make me laugh’.