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English Association Winners of 2023 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards

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On June 2, 2023

In Picture Book Awards, Featured children's book

The English Association is proud to present the winners of the 2023 English 4-11 Picture Book Awards.

Established in 1995, the awards are presented by the English Association to the best children’s picture books of the year.  Awards are given to Fiction and Non-Fiction in age ranges 4-7 years and 7-11 years.

The winning books are chosen by the editorial board of English 4-11, the journal for primary teachers published by The English Association and the United Kingdom Literacy Association, from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers and Primary specialists.

Each year, one of the books submitted to the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards is selected as the recipient of the Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction. The winners in each category, plus the winner of this year’s Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-Fiction, were announced at the online Awards Ceremony on Thursday 25 May 2023.

The award for 2023 was won by Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn by Justin Anderson and Jo Weaver (Walker Books).

The Chair of the judging panel, Dr Sally Wilkinson, commented that…

It is a pleasure to honour prolific and well-loved children’s non-fiction authors like Nicola Davies, Anita Ganeri, and Justin Anderson, who have won many awards for their writing, film, and television work, all in celebration of our amazing natural world. These authors have worked in partnership with illustrators Abbie Cameron, Jianan Liu, and Jo Weaver to create rich, engaging texts for us to dive in to. Our fiction winners, Mariajo Illustrajo and Levi Pinfold, represent new, emerging talent and established, award-winning author-illustrators, both with lyrical, detailed works to share with us. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners, and look forward to seeing what next year’s competition brings!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the publishers, authors, and illustrators who sent in books to the Awards.  

A very exciting short list of books for these categories of children’s books from The English Association.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

The Secret Life of Oceans by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Vivian Mineker

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On May 4, 2023

In Happy Yak, Featured children's book, Quarto Kids

The Secret Life of Oceans is a stunning book, full of wonderful images with delightful stories and engaging facts. It will enable a love of Oceans and nature on the next generation, inspiring them to look after the world around them.This book has been on my coffee table and is a real joy for anyone visiting. It just looks so inviting and is a ‘Wow’ with everyone who opens the book!

For instance , did you know that blue whales are the largest creatures on earth? And that corals are actually tiny creatures?
Tia the green turtle guides you through this beautiful first guide to ocean life around the globe. Learn about ocean homes and who lives where, big creatures (whales and whale sharks), little creatures (baby animals to zooplankton), incredible journeys, sea weather, and how to help save our oceans.  Intertwined in the facts you can read magical folklore sea stories from around the planet.


Following on from The Secret of Trees, The Secret Life of Bees, and The Secret Life of Birds, Oceans is the next book in the series. Sumptuous and detailed illustrations have pride of place in this magical book that mixes natural history with a splash of fantasy, creating a book to be pored over time and again.

Moira Butterfield is an internationally published children’s book author. Her work includes picture books, board books, fiction and highly commended non-fiction books that seek to spark a child’s imagination about our world. She currently lives in Bath, UK, with her family, where she loves to cycle, sew and sing. 

Vivian Mineker is a Taiwanese American from Taipei and Portland, currently working out of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Her interest in art began at a young age, using drawing to express herself and her inner imaginary world. She uses watercolour, coloured pencil and digital processes to create a blend of traditional texture with a modern look and feel.

Happy Yak are the publishers and are part of Quarto group of publishers, they have a great range of eye catching designs bringing non-fiction title to life.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Whose Tracks In The Snow? By Alexandra Milton

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On November 30, 2022

In Boxer Books, Featured children's book

Author &Illustrator of Who is in the Egg?…

A great natural history picture book introducing children to animal tracks.

In the huge big field, there are tracks in the snow. Who left the tracks in the huge, big field? A fast-running hare, speeding back to his home. Or is it hares or  ducks, foxes or deer?

An informative and special picture book by Alexandra Milton. Studying Art and English in Paris before moving to England and working as a primary school teacher, Alexandra is now a full time illustrator and successful author. The illustrations are captivating and perfectly represent fields and countryside in the snow. On each page there is a clue in the corner guiding you to the possible animal.

A great resource for discovery and a charming book for all interested in nature.

Published by Boxer Books on 3rd November 2022, Whose Tracks in the Snow joins a wonderfully enchanting portfolio of children’s books.

A perfect book to buy at Christmas or any time through the winter.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories Across the World…

The Hat Full of Secrets by Karl Newson & Illustrated by Wazza Pink

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On November 17, 2022

In Little Tiger Press, Featured children's book

Part of the Colour Fiction Series from Little Tiger Press…

Henry’s got a secret … a big one! And he doesn’t know what to do with it. Grandpa suggests he should keep it under his hat ­– and he’s got just the hat for the job. But when Henry puts it on he discovers that Grandpa has some secrets of his own!

A lyrical and heart-warming story celebrating the magical bond between a child and a grandparent, with full colour illustrations on every page.

Karl Newson is an inspiring author, as in the first words of the book...’ Henry Pepper didn’t ask for it. He didn’t wish it. He didn’t even dream it up. But there was a secret’…

Illustrator is Wazza Pink , interesting article from Vietcetera. Her images are captivating and create an atmosphere which does so much more than just fit with the text.

 Part of the Colour Fiction series from Little Tiger Press, an engaging series of short stories for new readers emerging into chapter books. The books are wonderful, they are beautifully bound with high quality paper and they fit into small hands. Each page has engaging illustrations from well known illustrators with clear and bold text.

I love this new series from Little Tiger Press, they make perfect books for young children at the first stages of independent reading at schools and at home.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories Across the World…

The Bear Stylist by Steven Butler & illustrated by Jacob Souva

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On November 17, 2022

In Featured children's book

Part of the Colour Fiction Series from Little Tiger Press

Ludo comes from a long line of famous bear stylists. He loves giving his customers sensible haircuts, whether it’s a tidy trim or a perfect perm. Until Leonardo arrives in town. Soon Ludo’s clients are having their feathers flapped and their curls combed by him instead.

But only one bear can be named Bear Stylist Supreme…

A charming celebration of creativity and teamwork.

This is a delightful tale of the work of the best hair stylist on Crooked Mountain. Coming from a long line of Tubb’s family hair stylists, Ludo was in great demand, travelling between clients on his bicycle.  

Bear Stylist Supreme…

Steven Butler is the author, who also wrote the Diaries of Dennis the Menace and has a gift with words and unfolding characters.

 Part of the Colour Fiction series from Little Tiger Press, an engaging series of short stories for new readers emerging into chapter books. The books are wonderful, they are beautifully bound with high quality paper and it well into smaller hands. Each page has engaging illustrations from well known illustrators and the text is clear and bold.

I love this new series from Little Tiger Press, they make perfect books for young children wanting to read schools and at home.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Books Go Walkabout
Stories Across the World…

A Demon’s  Touch By Rehan Khan

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On March 31, 2022

In Hope Road Publishing, Featured children's book

Third Book in the series  of The Chronicles of Will Ryde and Awa Al-Jameel

An adventure that bridges mythical and historical worlds…

In this thrilling conclusion to the trilogy, all roads lead to Istanbul – and all who traverse those roads will be plagued by a demon’s touch… Set In the 16th Century, an English boy and Songhai girl work together on adventures that bridge the mythical and historical.

This is a brilliant book bringing adventure and history together in this intriguing part of the world

Istanbul 1593. Will Ryde and Awa Al- Jameel are members of the Ruzgär Unit, an elite team of solders and specialists around the world. They act on behalf of the supposedly mighty Ottoman Emperor, Sultan Murad III.

The Ruzgär unit inadvertently released an ancient demon during the events of the previous book, A King’s Armour. The demon now lurks within the bowels of the city coinciding with Sultan Murad III bringing friend and foe to Istanbul, to convene the world’s grandest trade fair.

How do Will and Awa even start to find their way through a city where streets have eyes and walls have ears? Can a demon so powerful emerge and make life impossible?

A stunning end to the Chronicles adventures and encompasses all aspects of adventure and character building in a moral vacuum.

Rehan Khan was born in London. An avid observer of history , he has always been intrigued by how ideas and information move from one civilisation to the next. A visiting professor at an international business school, Rehan Khan is the author of a Tudor Turk and A King’s Armour, and lives with his family in Dubai.

Hope Road Publishing promote new literary voices from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, bringing neglected voices from the margins to centre stage, with books for adults and young adults.

A great read for children aged 9-14 years or so…

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories across the world…

Women Who Led The Way

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On March 25, 2022

In Otter-Barry Books, Featured children's book

Great Explorers and Adventurers

By Mick Manning and Brita Granström

Diverse and inclusive range of explorers

Twenty-one amazing women explorers and adventurers from all over the world From Aud the Deep-Minded, an early voyager to Iceland, and Sacagawea who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition across the USA, to Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space and Arunima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest, this book shows the incredible courage, determination and power of women explorers over the last 1200 years.

1788-1812, Shoshone Nation, USA, Guide & interpreter on Lewis and Clark Expedition


These women have led the way exploring lands, oceans, mountains, skies and space, but have also made pioneering discoveries in the fields of science, nature, archaeology, ecology and more.
The lives of these women, told as personal stories, are an inspiration to us all.

Great Explorers and Adventurers is packed with wonderful stories about women who have been at the forefront of great explorations and discoveries across the world and in time.

I was fascinated by the records in this book of so many women from the past who have now entered the historical records for heroism and courage. This book not only tells the story but provides intriguing text and engaging illustrations.

Mick Manning and Brit Granstrom are an award-winning duo with a plethora of non-fiction picture books to their credit, having written and illustrated over sixty books and numerous awards.

Otter-Barry Books is a unique independent publisher with a real flair for producing high quality and inspirational children’s books.

Women Who Led the Way, Great Explorers and Adventurers is an amazing book and I am looking forward to exploring all the women who did indeed lead the way.

Sue Martin

Stories Across the World…

Poetry Books from Otter-Barry Books

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On March 4, 2022

In Otter-Barry Books, Featured children's book, Poetry

Otter-Barry Books have a wonderful selection of poetry books and these two new publications are full of exciting poems to inspire and engage young readers.

Roger Steven’s is my favourite poet. You’ll love this collection. Baroness Floella Benjamin

Razz Ma Tazz The Poetry World of Roger Stevens; illustrated by Mike Smith

Once you open this book and start reading the poems you won’t put it down. From poems which are just too cool, like the Year 6 boys, to Shouting to the Ocean, which gives you the chance to just throw all your emotions in the ocean!
 ‘So if you’re hurt, upset or angry

Write down all you want to say

Then post it in the ocean

Watch your troubles float away’

Cool boys and Year Six Sisters to the Chicken School Timetable, Dad’s terrible dancing to Mum’s cunning treasure trail, plus the joy and fun of poetry. There is something for everyone in this paperback collection of poems.
With themes of Family, School, Pets, the Wild, Being a Poet and Personal Favourites, this is an outstanding, exuberant collection of the very best work from one of the best-loved poets writing today.

Roger Stevens is a very well known poet author, with lots of tips about writing poetry. The illustrations by Mike Smith are brilliant, showing each poem in its own unique way.

Wonderful images…and words too

The Universal Zoo by Neal Zetter and illustrated by Will Hughes

If you want to engage young children with poetry and fire their imagination this book is a must to have in the school or at home.

“Welcome!
Roll up!
Come on down
to the Universal Zoo.
Want to see amazing animals?
Buy a ticket, join the queue.”

Every creature has a place at the far end of Space, in the Universal Zoo.

Look out for the Shy Shimmereen, the snoozing Snoralotz, the Invisible Ballaboo Beast and the Ten-Legged, Swivel-Headed, Bushy-Bearded, Twirly-Tailed Horrox. Meet the Martian kids with two heads, and stare at the Enormous Egg. And if you think dragons don’t exist and dodos are extinct, then think again. But never, never, never feed the Gronk!

Beware of the Gronk!

A riot of imagination and fun, these poems also send a message about conservation and saving species.

Otter-Barry Books have a website full of information about their books and you can review many of the pages of poems, but the real best thing is to buy the books!!

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories Across the world…

It’s Her Story – Amelia Earhart a Graphic Novel, by Kim Moldofsky and illustrated by Alan Brown

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On February 10, 2022

In Sunbird Books, Featured children's book

Follow your dreams…

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She piloted many record-breaking flights became an author, advised engineers, taught college students, and defended women’s rights. On her attempted flight solo around the world, she disappeared somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.

This is such a great story and the graphic novel design is a perfect fit for Amelia’s story, which brings dreams for all children but especially girls, into reality. It demonstrates how Amelia, who was born in 1897, started work helping immigrant families, but at the same time flying whenever she had the chance. She gained a pilot’s license in 1921,after the First World War. She was enthralled with flying after she visited a Winter Air Tournament in Long Beach.

Amelia loved flying…

To find out more you need to read the book. I am really intrigued because I would have loved to learn to fly, and trials in 2 seater planes and microlights left me buzzing, but I never made it to be a pilot!!

Ah well, it still makes this book a wonderful book to read, which through the graphics, the story of Amelia Earhart is available to everyone, whatever level of reading.

Kim Moldofsky is the author and  it is beautifully illustrated by Alan Brown.

It’s Her Story is a series featuring amazing, inspirational women in graphic novel format, published by sunbird books, part of Phoenix International Publications. More titles available later this year.

Definitely worth purchasing and a really good book for children keen to follow their own dreams and to learn about others.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories across the world…

Iceberg by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft

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On December 10, 2021

In Allen and Unwin, Featured children's book

Born in Spring and living a whole year…

“This world is not empty, nor ever still. Far from places we know, it feels everything we do.” Claire Saxby

Iceberg both inspires and creates deep thinking for children of all ages including older primary years.

‘This picture book is quite simply a visual and literary masterpiece. Its opening spread features spectacular spikes of colour, dramatic expanses and subtle details, including the shadow of an orca, the peek of a seal, and the track of penguins.

Turn the pages and the colours lighten slowly to reveal more of the iceberg until the sun fully reveals itself and the wildlife on and around the iceberg. The tone of the language playfully reflects this change. And soon we are below the water’s surface with a magnificent gatefold opening out to reveal the extraordinary panorama of activity under the sea.

 Antarctica is remote, forbidding, hostile and uninhabited by humans, yet this frozen continent is key to understanding how our world works, and our corresponding impact on Earth’s climate and ocean systems.

The author, Claire Saxby’s lyrical narrative combined with Jess Racklyeft’s detailed illustrations are sure to spark curiosity for Antarctica and its flora and fauna. As well as being an important natural laboratory, Antarctica provides the opportunity to educate children on the importance of protecting this fragile continent and its ecosystems.‘

Source: Tye Cattanach Education Consultant, Blogger and former children’s bookseller

Allen and Unwin are Australian publishers with global impact, Iceberg is available across the world.

There are a comprehensive set of Teacher Notes from Tye Cattanach, both enabling and inspirational. They have been formulated with Year 3 Australian Curriculum in mind, but the activities and resources shared here could easily be adapted to suit younger and older students alike in the National Curriculum in the UK or other global education systems.

Sue Martin – Children’s Literacy Specialist

Stories across the world…

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