Submissions are now open for titles to be put forward to the Shropshire Bookfest Picture Book Award 2024.

Shropshire Bookfest is now ready to launch its PICTURE BOOK AWARD 2024 for our primary schools across Shropshire for their Key Stage 1 pupils in RECEPTION, YEAR 1 and YEAR 2.

Run every two years, this reading for pleasure project for this KS1 age group is now set to reach 1,131 pupils from 26 primary schools.

The following criteria apply:

Title(s) to have been first published in the UK between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023.

Fiction titles only.

Author and illustrator must be resident in the UK.

Books must be suitable for ages Reception through to Year 2.

Stand-alone titles – characters may form a series of books but each story to be stand-alone.

Maximum number of submissions – 5 titles per publisher/imprint.

Submissions must be available in paperback by April 2024.

Deadline:

We would be grateful if publishers could supply three copies of each nominated title by Friday 1st March 2024.

Please send nominated titles to: Joanna Hughes, The Old Greyhound, 20 Main Road, Dorrington, Shropshire, SY5 7JW

Timeline:

(We have consulted with schools and have carefully programmed this project in order to make time allowances for KS2 SATS – KS2 children will be helping KS1 children read the books – and KS1 phonics screening tests).

1st March 2024: Closing date for submissions for the longlist.

18th May 2024: Announcement of shortlist (reading groups from a select group of local primary schools will choose the shortlist of 4 titles from the publishers’ submissions).

June 2024: Children from all participating schools across Shropshire will read and vote for the winning title.

8th July 2024: The winner of the Shropshire Bookfest Picture Book Award 2024 will be announced. All schools will be encouraged to run special assemblies during this week to celebrate the winner and the project.

Key Facts about the Shropshire Bookfest Picture Book Award Project

26 primary schools across Shropshire are participating in the Picture Book Award 2024.

1,131 children will be involved in the project.

Number of titles that will go through to the Picture Book Award 2024 shortlist: 4

1,131 copies of shortlisted titles will be purchased by the Shropshire Bookfest Picture Book Award 2024 project for participating schools.

The project is funded by a combination of charitable trusts and foundations, by participating schools and delivered by Shropshire Bookfest.

Shropshire Bookfest is a registered charity, holder of the Queen’s Award for Excellence and is run by a group of professional volunteers and two (self-employed) co-ordinators.

The shortlist for Picture Book Award 2022 was as follows:

Dogs in Disguise by Peter Bently and illustrated by John Bond, published by Harper Collins Children’s Books (winner).

Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race by Kim Hillyard, published by Puffin Books

How to Grow a Unicorn by Rachel Morrisroe and Steven Lenton, published by Puffin Books.

Maybe by Chris Haughton, published by Walker Books.

Any questions, queries etc. please do get in touch.  Thank you in advance for your support of our work and for helping so many children develop a life-long love of reading.

Contact:  Joanna Hughes – Project Co-ordinator joanna.hughes@shropshirebookfest.co.uk – 07719 401365