I was fortunate to chair the shortlisting panel for the Picture Book category of the Spark! School Book Awards again this year. Out of a fabulously diverse, creative and colourful pile of submissions, these are the four books we selected to go forward to the children for judging…
‘The Bear and her Book: There’s More to See’ by Frances Tosdevin & Hannah Worsley
‘The bear gave a sigh and she waved a paw, “I’m a curious bear who must explore. The world is big and there’s more to see, and I’ll find this bear who is not like me.”’
Bear reads about a sad and lonely bear living in the arctic in her Book of Being Wise and sets out to find him, helping lots of other animals along the way.
A lyrical, stunningly illustrated story about a curious bear and her book-inspired adventures.
‘The Drama Llama’ by Rachel Morrisroe & Ella Okstad
‘The llama really started causing panic and hysteria, chasing kids and lunchtime helpers round the cafeteria.’
Whenever Alex is feeling anxious, his worries turn into a real live llama. The llama keeps growing and causing chaos until his teacher gets him to talk about his worries.
A colourful and hilarious read about learning to calm your drama llama by sharing your worries.
‘The Night Flower’ by Lara Hawthorne
‘And high on the cactus, beneath the bright moon, a tiny green bud is beginning to bloom.’
As the sun sets over the desert, all the creatures begin to gather for a special event – the blooming of the beautiful Night Flower on the saguaro cactus, which only happens once a year.
‘The Night Flower’ is a gorgeously illustrated story about a rare and magical moment in nature.
‘Why, Oh Why, Am I a Crocodile?’ by Alex Brooks & Hannah Worsley
‘Admiring the parrot for a little while, she sighed, “Why, oh why, am I a crocodile?”’
A lonely crocodile envies the other animals with their bright colours, long legs and appealing smiles, until she meets a blind monkey who teaches her to accept herself for who she is.
A delightful rhyming story about friendship and learning to love yourself.
Swimming in Books 