Blue Peter Book Awards 2017

Two Faber Titles won the awards for best books in 2017 – Podkin One Ear and Survivors – and they both tell stories of epic struggle and strength.

The judging panel was made up of children's author/illustrator and former Writer in Residence Sarah McIntyre, radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake and Waterstone's Children's Book Buyer Florentyna Martin.

Although the judges chose the shortlist, the winning titles were selected by over 400 children from 12 schools across the UK. They read the shortlisted books and voted for their favourite in each category...

Authors received their awards on the Blue Peter Book Awards World Book Day special on 2 March 2017 on CBBC.

Get updates on this year's Blue Peter Book Awards

For more information, you can also follow @BookTrust on Twitter and visit the official Blue Peter website.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2017 - Best Story

Winner: Podkin One-Ear

By Kieran Larwood, illustrated by David Wyatt (Faber & Faber)

The Blue Peter Book Award 2017 winner was Podkin One-Ear. In this rabbit adventure tale, a mysterious storyteller rolls in from the snow one night and enchants a warren of young rabbits with the tale of Podkin One Ear.

Parents desperate to share Tolkien with their children will enjoy the first instalment of what promises to be a rather epic rabbit saga.

After winning, author Kieran Larwood said, 'I am hugely excited to have won the Blue Peter Book Award. It is such an honour, especially as I grew up watching Blue Peter, and the fact that it was voted for by children makes it all the more amazing.'

Find out more about Podkin One-Ear

Shortlisted books

Lost Tales

Author: Adam & Lisa Murphy

Corpse Talk author Adam Murphy and colourist/co-creator Lisa Murphy have been delving into all four corners of the earth to bring you a collection of fascinating myths and legends from all over the world.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2017 - Best Book with Facts

Winner: Survivors

By David Long, illustrated by Kerry Hyndman (Faber & Faber)

Survivors

The Blue Peter Book Award 2017 Best Book with Facts winner was Survivors. This collection of astonishing stories includes a teenage girl who fell from the sky in Peru as the only survivor of a plane crash and Aron Ralston, who cut off his own arm after being trapped by a fallen boulder in a canyon in Colorado USA (inspiring the movie 127 Hours).

This anthology aims to inspire and help children understand how far self-belief and guts took these adventurers, and to wonder how far these qualities could take them, too.

After winning the Blue Peter Book Award, David Long said, 'I'm overjoyed at the news that Survivors has won this award. I grew up watching Blue Peter with my brother and sister. My sons never missed an episode, and now I'm going to visit the studio and meet the team. It's fantastic news.'

Find out more about Survivors

Shortlisted books

Destination: Space

Author: Dr Christopher Englert Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole

Are you ready to go on the most exciting adventure in the universe?

Judges

The winners for the Blue Peter Book Awards were picked by over 400 children in 12 schools across the UK, while the shortlist was selected by a panel of expert judges.

Ewan Vinnicombe
Editor, Blue Peter

Ewan Vinnicombe has been Blue Peter Editor since January 2013. Ewan is also the Head of Presentation for CBeebies and CBBC, being responsible for all continuity and Red Button interactive content on the BBC Children's channels.

In his 17 years working at the BBC he’s worked on a number of Children's productions, including Blue Peter, Record Breakers, The Saturday Show, Live & Kicking and CBeebies Presentation.

Florentyna Martin
Children's Book Buyer for Waterstones

Florentyna Martin started her bookselling career six years ago in her hometown of Petersfield. She is now based in London as the Children's Book Buyer for Waterstones, where she looks after book ranges for ages 0-12 and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

A bookworm through-and-through, Florentyna has always enjoyed reading and recommending great books across children's and adult publishing, from picture books and fiction, to activities and reference.

Nihal

Nihal is the host of BBC Radio 5 Live's Afternoon Edition and can also be heard on the BBC Asian Network. He recently hosted the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show.

Nihal spent over a decade on BBC Radio 1, where he fronted a variety of shows for the network. He has been a music journalist, having written for Asiana, Eastern Eye, The Face, Mixmag, Hip Hop Connection and The Observer.

Nihal sits on the board of London's Southbank Centre, and was a cultural ambassador for the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid.

Sarah McIntyre
BookTrust Writer-Illustrator in Residence

Illustrator and writer Sarah McIntyre is easy to spot in her pointy glasses and hats. She makes books with pictures in an old police station - complete with jail cells!

Her books include the comic Vern and Lettuce, four books with Philip Reeve, including Pugs of the Frozen North and Jinks & O'Hare Funfair Repair, and her picture books include There's a Shark in the Bath and Dinosaur Police.

Visit Sarah's website and blog: http://www.jabberworks.co.uk and follow her on Twitter: @jabberworks