Judges announced for Blue Peter Book Awards 2013

12 October 2012

The Times columnist and best-selling author of How to be a Woman Caitlin Moran, will be one of the judges helping to select Blue Peter’s favourite children’s books of the year, as part of the 2013 Blue Peter Book Awards judging panel.

These enormously popular and influential awards have been recognising and celebrating the best children’s authors, the most fascinating fact books and the greatest reads for children since 2000. Joining Caitlin Moran on the judging panel will be best-selling children’s author of How to Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell; librarian extraordinaire Jake Hope; and Blue Peter Editor Tim Levell, who will be chairing the panel.

Caitlin Moran comments:

As someone raised on books, and now a mother of two, I know there is no more amazing world to share with your kids than being able to climb into a book together and talk about it forever, like a cross between gossip, news and Christmas. Being able to judge this prize is a total honour. Plus, they said I could have a Blue Peter badge. There's a childhood dream fulfilled, right there.

Submitted books – which are for 6-12 year olds – are judged in two categories: Best Story and Best Book with Facts. Both categories will have a shortlist of three, selected by the adult panel of judges, with an overall winner being chosen by Blue Peter viewers.

The shortlists will be announced on Blue Peter on Thursday 10 January (5.45pm CBBC). The winners will be announced and receive their trophies live on a special edition of Blue Peter to be broadcast on World Book Day, Thursday 7 March.

Blue Peter Editor Tim Levell comments:

The variety and brilliance of the children’s books that I am lucky enough to read as a judge every year always astounds me. I sometimes wish that I was 10 again so that I could benefit from the richness of children’s literature out there in 2012. Once again, it will be a tough old choice, working out the shortlisted books, but I am confident that with such distinguished fellow judges, we will come up trumps.

Past winners of the Awards, which have been running since 2000, include J K Rowling, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Andy Stanton, Matt Haig, Ali Sparkes and Lauren St John.

Booktrust CEO Viv Bird comments:

The Blue Peter Book Awards are renowned for seeking out and celebrating the very best in children’s literature, so I am delighted that we have three such prestigious and creative judges on board in this, the thirteenth year of the Awards. With past winners including names as diverse as Michael Morpurgo, Gareth P Jones and Oliver Jeffers, I can’t wait to see what fantastic facts and stories 2013’s choices bring.