2021: Two winning books

Best Story

The award for Best Story was awarded to A Kind of Spark, the brilliant debut novel by Elle McNicoll. Offering an utterly convincing and honest narrative voice, A Kind of Spark challenges the stereotypes that can be associated with autism, and teaches us that there are 'many different ways to be autistic.'

Elle said: 'As someone who grew up watching Blue Peter and discovering brilliant new books from the show, it is an extraordinary moment to be recognised. To be a part of their World Book Day celebrations is great, and to have been voted the winner by readers is life changing.'

Read our review of A Kind of Spark

Read the blog: Elle McNicoll on being a a neurodivergent author

Best Book with Facts

The award for Best Book with Facts went to Mike Barfield and illustrator Jess Bradley's hilarious book, A Day In The Life Of A Poo, A Gnu And You. Packed full of zany trivia about everything worth knowing – from pimples to porcupines – and with each element written in the form of a first-person diary and brilliantly presented in cartoon strips. 

Mike and Jess said: 'Winning any award is a huge honour but winning the Blue Peter Book Award is extra special. I adored the programme as a child, and again as a parent, watching it with my own (now grown-up) children. The child in me that still persists to this day does find it rather amusing that a book with "Poo" in its title will now have to be mentioned several times on the show.

'I had so much fun drawing everything from poos to gnus, and I’m really happy to know that so many children enjoyed reading about them!'

Read our review of A Day In The Life Of A Poo, A Gnu And You

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