Picture Book Award 2026 shortlisted title
Nana and Gramps don’t know what they’re missing out on, if only they’d look behind them!
A walk in the park with Nana and Gramps is always a lot of fun, but they’re terribly slow and their grandchild isn’t allowed to race ahead.
Walking dutifully behind them, the child is soon joined by a long line of fantastical characters: a bear, a monster from the sewers, a pirate and his crew . . .
Those grandparents would never believe who else is on their walk, if only they’d look behind them!
Published by Andersen Press
About the Author
Jeanne Willis is an award-winning children’s author and scriptwriter. She had her first picture book published by Andersen Press at the age of 21, and has won the Silver Medal Smarties Prize (Tadpole’s Promise), the Nasen Special Needs Award (Susan Laughs), the Sheffield Children’s Book Award (Who’s in The Loo) and the Red House Children’s Book Award (Bottoms Up).
Jeanne has also worked on scripts for TV, including Polly Pocket and The Slow Norris, and a pilot TV series for Dr Xargle.
Find out more about Jeanne Willis here: https://www.jeannewillis.com/
Jeanne says: “I have an email in front of me saying It’s Behind You has been shortlisted for the Shropshire Bookfest Picture Book Award! A big thank you to everyone who voted and also to Nana and Gramps who I always went walking with.”
About the Illustrator
Momoko Abe is a self-taught illustrator based in London. She grew up in Japan and moved to the UK to study filmmaking.
Momoko still works in the TV and film industry, whilst pursuing her passion for children’s books. She was shortlisted for the AOI World Illustration Award in 2019.
Find out more about Momoko Abe here: https://momokoabe.com
Instagram: @momokodoodles
Momoko says: “I had so much fun illustrating playful and riotous It’s Behind You! So it’s my pleasure to hear many children felt the fun too by reading it.”
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