The Big Book Award:  A child-led reading development project delivered into Shropshire primary schools to find the book published in the previous two years that children aged 9 – 11 years old love the most.  

The first Book Award project in 2010 was an immediate and overwhelming success, so we ran the project again in 2012, 2014 and 2016.  We have developed its scope and widened its reach each time.  

Over 33 schools across Shropshire took part in the Big Book Award 2018, involving over 1200 pupils.  Click here to go through to see who won.

The Picture Book Award:  This project was set up in response to demand from the education sector in Shropshire, to follow the aims and ideals (i.e. . to generate a love of reading for younger children) of the established Big Book Award, this time focusing on Years 1 and 2 (children aged 6 to 7 years old).  The Picture Book Award followed the aim to generate a love of reading for younger children and to provide a platform to inspire and influence younger pupils.  A ‘buddy reading system’ was be implemented where KS2 readers help KS1 readers throughout this project.

From June 2018, Shrewsbury Bookfest distributed hundreds of copies of the four shortlisted titles to 17 primary schools across Shropshire who signed up to the project, The Picture Book Award 2018.  Over 600 children read, commented on and voted for their favourite picture book – the result was announced in July 2018 – click here to see who won!