Hillingdon & Washington Picture Book Awards

It’s always nice to discover that a book I’ve written has been shortlisted for a book award and even nicer to discover that a book has won one — particularly when the winner has been selected by a children’s vote. Usually award organisers contact authors when their books are shortlisted, but occasionally I don’t get to hear about a nomination until the book I’ve written has won the award. This was the case with the Hillingdon Picture Book of the Year Award 2012, which I’m delighted to announce has just been won by The Princess and the Pig illustrated by Poly Bernatene.

The award is voted for by Year 2 school children (ages six to seven) from the London Borough of Hillingdon. I’m particularly pleased that my book proved to be the most popular given the strength of the shortlist which was as follows:

Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble by Tracey Corderoy and Joe Berger
The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Pinkie Mouse, Where Are You? by Alison Green and Deborah Allwright
Don't Worry Douglas! by David Melling
Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen

And, thanks to Google alerts, I’ve just discovered that The Princess and the Pig has also been shortlisted for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award 2013 in the US.

The award is voted for by Washington State's K-3 students (ages five to six) and there is a shortlist of twenty picture books, which you can find here. The winner will be announced in April 2013.