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Children's Book Award 2019 Winners Announcement
The Children’s Book Award 2019 winners – chosen and voted for entirely by children – are announced in a celebratory awards ceremony at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, London. And Arree Chung’s Mixed – a book about colour, tolerance and embracing differences - comes 1st!
Arree Chung is named overall winner of The Children’s Book Award 2019. His book Mixed, which he wrote and illustrated, also won the Books for Younger Children category before going on to win the overall prize.
Armistice Runner by author Tom Palmer wins the Books for Older Readers category and The Dog Who Lost His Bark, written by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by PJ Lynch is named the Books for Younger Reader’s category winner.
Arree Chung’s wildly colourful Mixed tells the story of Reds, Blues and Yellows, each special in their own way and living in harmony ... until one day, a Red says “Reds are the best!” and things kick off among the colours... When the colours decide to separate, is there anything that can be done to change their minds? A Yellow, a Blue and a never-before-seen colour just might have the answer, in this inspiring, lively and charming book with a simple and straightforward approach to confronting discrimination in an age-appropriate way. Mixed was a firm favourite with the children.
Arree Chung says ‘I am so honoured that Mixed has won the picture book category and the overall Children's Book Award! This award means so much to me because the voting is done entirely by children. It touches me to know that the message of diversity, acceptance and love has resonated with the hearts of the youth in the UK. The world indeed is a colourful blend of people and culture.’
The Children’s Book Award is the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children. It is owned and coordinated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and is highly respected by teachers, parents and librarians. It has brought acclaim and strong sales to past winners such as J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times. The award has often been the first to recognise the future stars of children’s fiction and has the ability to turn popular authors into bestsellers.
A dedicated website www.childrensbookaward.org.uk showcases all the shortlisted titles and featured authors. The Children’s Book Award is sponsored by BookLife.
The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2019 is as follows:
Books for Younger Children
- MIXED, written and illustrated by Arree Chung, published by Macmillan Children’s Books
- The Last Chip: The Story of a Very Hungry Pigeon, written and illustrated by Duncan Beedie, published by Templar
- The Wondrous Dinosaurium, written by John Condon and illustrated by Steve Brown, published by Maverick
- What Do You Do if Your house is a Zoo, written by John Kelly and illustrated by Steph Laberis, published by Little Tiger Press
Books for Younger Readers
- Funny Kid Stand Up, written and illustrated by Matt Stanton, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
- Mr Penguin and The Fortress of Secrets, written and illustrated by Alex T Smith, published by Hodder Children’s Books
- The Dog Who Lost His Bark, written by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by PJ Lynch, published by Walker Books
Books for Older Readers
- Armistice Runner, written by Tom Palmer, published by Barrington Stoke
- The Light Jar, written by Lisa Thompson, published by Scholastic
- The Storm Keeper’s Island, written by Catherine Doyle, published by Bloomsbury
Sarah Stuffins, Co-ordinator of The Children’s Book Award, says ‘In the Federation of Children’s Book Groups’ 51st year, The Children’s Book Award remains as important as ever. Libraries closing and schools budgets being cut can restrict children’s access to books and stories- but the award brings children into contact with some of the best children’s books, authors and illustrators around today. Engaging with, interacting with, evaluating and, most importantly, enjoying stories can really help a child understand and make sense of the world- and it’s understanding and empathy that is so needed right now. Many congratulations to our wonderful winners, who all showcase and celebrate the energy, vitality, creativity and positivity in today’s children’s books.’