Louise Pentland, Alex T Smith and Darren Chetty to judge Blue Peter Book Awards 2019

Published on: 10 September 2018 Author: Catriona Wightman

Louise Pentland, Alex T Smith and Darren Chetty will be choosing the shortlist for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019.

The trio will be joined by Blue Peter editor Ewan Vinnicombe to whittle down the shortlists for Best Story and Best Book with Facts to three titles each.

The winners will then be chosen by school children across the country, before being announced on Blue Peter on World Book Day, 7 March 2019.

'I'm delighted to be a judge for the iconic Blue Peter,' said teacher and writer Darren Chetty. 

'Prizes like this are important because they help to open up the wide world of literature and books to children and young people.'

Lifestyle vlogger and author Louise Pentland added: 'I am so thrilled to be on the judging panel for the Blue Peter Book Awards! I have watched Blue Peter since I was a little girl copying the DIY and crafts and feel, especially now I'm an author myself, that helping to find their book of the year is a huge honour!

'So glad to be part of the team and so glad to be reading all these fabulous books - it's going to be a very tough call!'

Claude author-illustrator Alex T Smith also said that he has been a 'lifelong fan' of Blue Peter.

'I've always admired how they've put creativity and reading at the heart of their programming,' he said.

'I'm really thrilled to be one of the judges for this year's Blue Peter Book Awards and to be part of something that not only celebrates the quality of writing and illustration available for children, but how truly vital it is.'

Meanwhile, Ewan Vinnicombe promised that the Awards will play a 'key role' in Blue Peter's 60th anniversary celeebrations.

'I'm so pleased to have such a stellar line up of judges for this year,' he said. 'It's going to be an exciting judging day with Louise, Alex and Darren who are all experts in their field. I can't wait to find out what they decide to shortlist.' 

The shortlists will be unveiled on Blue Peter on 8 November 2018, while schools with a minimum of 20 pupils in year 5 and or 6 (P6 and P7 in Scotland) can now apply to become part of the expert reading panel.

Apply to become a judging school

Read the full press release