With the help of some passionate and persuasive readers at 9 local primary schools, we are able to present a list of 9 ‘Hot contenders for the shortlist‘ from a long list of over 60 books submitted.

The Bookfest team will look closely at the feedback on these 9 lovely books and work out the top, favourite 4 books to form the shortlist for the Picture Book Award 2020.

The ‘Hot contenders for the shortlist’ are….

I am a Tiger by Karl Newson and Ross Collins, published by MacMillan Children’s Books

Little Bear’s Spring by Elli Woollard and Briony May Smith, published by MacMillan Children’s Books

My Name is Bear by Nicola Killen and published by Egmont

Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones, published by Simon & Schuster

Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Show & Tell by Rob Biddulph and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books

The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt and Alex Willmore, published by Simon & Schuster

The Snow Dragon by Abi Elphinstone and Fiona Woodcock, published by Simon & Schuster

This is Gus by Chris Chatterton and published by MacMillan Children’s Books

And huge thanks to the following primary schools who helped read through the 60+ books originally submitted:

Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge C/E Primary School

Gobowen Primary School

Longden C/E Primary School

Martin Wilson Primary School

Prestfelde School

Rushbury C/E Primary School

St Lawrence C/E Primary School

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

West Felton Primary School