Supported by Bookstart and the Unwin Foundation, the Awards celebrate, publicise and reward the exciting range of books being published today for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
2008 awards
The winners of the 2008 awards were announced at a ceremony held at BAFTA, Piccadilly, London on 23 September 2008.
Baby Book Award
Is This My Nose? illus. Georgie Birkett (Red Fox)
Pre-School Award
The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis, illus. Gwen Millward (Puffin Books)
Best Emerging Illustrator
Tim Hopgood for Here Comes Frankie! (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Each winner was presented with a cheque for £2,000 and a trophy. In addition, Tim Hopgood was presented with an original illustration by judge Annie Kubler.
Andrew Clover, another judge, read The Bog Baby to the audience.
Wendy Cooling, Chair of judges, said, 'There’s endless variety and lots to get excited about in today’s books for pre-school children – this year’s winners offer involvement, humour, magic, fine illustration and plenty more. These books will really get the very young hooked into reading!'
Viv Bird, Director of Booktrust, said, 'Booktrust is delighted with this year’s entries and the wealth of books aimed at encouraging parents and children to discover a love of reading. It has been an extraordinary year for entries, particularly in the Best Emerging Illustrator category.
'The imagination, dedication and creativity of the winning authors and illustrators delighted the judges and will captivate and encourage young readers.'
Read the press release about the 2008 winners (Microsoft Word .doc download 207Kb)
The shortlists for the 2008 awards were announced on 29 July.
Baby Book Award
Baby’s Very First Book: Day illus. Angela Brooksbank (Campbell Books)
Baby Loves Peekaboo! by Dawn Sirett, designer Rachael Parfitt (Dorling Kindersley)
Daddy Hug by Tim Warnes, illus. Jane Chapman (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Baby Touch: Playtime Book and DVD by Justine Smith, illus. Fiona Land (Ladybird)
Is This My Nose? illus. Georgie Birkett (Red Fox)
Amazing Baby: Rainbow Fun! by Emily Hawkins, illus. Emma Dodd (Templar)
Pre-School Award
It’s a George Thing! by David Bedford, illus. Russell Julian (Egmont Books)
Grizzly Dad by Joanna Harrison (David Fickling Books)
The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill, illus. Russell Ayto (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Wendel’s Workshop by Chris Riddell (Macmillan Children’s Books)
The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis, illus. Gwen Millward (Puffin Books)
There’s An Ouch in My Pouch! by Jeanne Willis, illus. Garry Parsons (Puffin Books)
Best Emerging Illustrator
That Yucky Love Thing by Michael Catchpool, illus. Victoria Ball (Gullane Children’s Books)
Here Comes Frankie! by Tim Hopgood (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero by Anne Cottringer, illus. Alex T. Smith (Scholastic Children’s Books)
Bridget Fidget by Joe Berger (Puffin Books)
The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis, illus. Gwen Millward (Puffin Books)
Ape by Martin Jenkins, illus. Vicky White (Walker Books)
Read the press release about the 2008 shortlists (Microsoft Word .doc download 198Kb)
Read about the judges for the 2008 Awards (Microsoft Word .doc download 116Kb)
2007 awards
The winners of the 2007 Early Years Awards were announced on 27 September 2007 at an awards ceremony held at BAFTA, Piccadilly, London.
Baby Book Award
Tucking In! by Jess Stockham (Child’s Play)
Pre-School Award
Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker)
Best Emerging Illustrator
Emily Gravett for Monkey and Me (Macmillan Children’s Books)
The judges
Award–winning Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler was joined by Wendy Cooling, the founder of Bookstart (Chair), Elena Dalrymple, editor of the UK’s best-selling magazine Mother & Baby, Clive Barnes, children’s librarian and Angela Lewis, Modernisation Lead for Children, Young People and Families at East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust.
In 2007 Booktrust worked with Mother & Baby magazine to promote the Early Years Awards.
2006 awards
The winners of the 2006 Early Years Awards were announced on 27 September 2006 in London:
Baby Book Award
How Do You Feel? by Mandy Stanley (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Pre-School Award
Mr Pusskins by Sam Lloyd (Orchard Books)
Best New Illustrator
Catherine Rayner for Augustus and his Smile (Little Tiger Press)
The judges
Wendy Cooling (children's book consultant ), Mariella Frostrup (parent and broadcaster) and Ian Beck (award-winning illustrator)
2005 awards
Baby Book Award
Poppy Cat's Farm by Lara Jones (Campbell Books)
Pre School Award
The Very Dizzy Dinosaur by Jack Tickle (Little Tiger Press)
Best New Illustrator
Kanako Usui for The Fantastic Mr Wani (Little Tiger Press)
The judges
Wendy Cooling, children's book consultant (Chair); Penny Miller, health visitor; Afsa Mitha, Bookstart Coordinator for Leicestershire Bookstart; Nick Sharratt, illustrator and winner of several children's book awards; and HRH The Countess of Wessex.
Prize information
Tarryn McKay
020 8516 2972
tarryn@booktrust.org.uk
Press enquiries
Katherine Solomon
020 8875 4583
katherine.solomon@booktrust.org.uk
