Sheffield Children's Book Award Focus - Picture Books

The Sheffield Children's Book Award is back and brilliant as ever. 2018 sees a new shortlist of dazzling titles. Every year, in January, a stack of Sheffield Library staff escape the cold, and fueled by tea and biscuits, look through a long-list of the previous year's children's book releases, selecting only the very best to make the award shortlist. These books are then sent out to schools and libraries throughout Sheffield, where children read and vote for their favourites. That's what is special about the Sheffield Children's Book Award, it is the children, well known for being the harshest of critics, who decide on the winners.

This year is the 30th Anniversary of the awards!! (I know, we look far too young for it don't we?), so we are going to be celebrating in style!

For the next few weeks we are zooming in on the shortlisted titles in each category, and our first stop is with the ever popular picture books! We hope you love these as much as we do.

Perfectly Norman

 

Written and illustrated by Tom Percival

- http://tom-percival.com

Published by Bloomsbury
- https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk

When Norman grows the most marvellous wings, he realises he’s now different from everyone else. Not wanting to stand out from the crowd, Norman hides his wings uncomfortably under his anorak. But soon Norman learns to embrace his differences. This is an adorable and important story about standing out and daring to be different. With gorgeous illustrations which play around with colour, this is an ideal story time read with a valuable message.

“It occurred to Norman that it was the coat that was making him miserable, not the wings.”

Daisy Doodles 

Written by Michelle Robinson
- http://michellerobinson.co.uk

Illustrated by Irene Dickson
- http://www.irenedicksonillustration.com

Published by Oxford University Press
- http://global.oup.com

It’s a rainy day so Daisy decides to doodle, but this is no ordinary drawing, this drawing comes to life and soon Daisy is sucked into her own pictures! A fantastic merge of illustration and photography makes this a clever and entirely unique picture book which is sure to delight young readers. We loved how this one stood out from the crowd, and would make a lovely introduction to photography and drawing, but also just a great adventurous and funny read. 

“There were PAWS and CLAWS … and JAWS … and ROARS …”

Game of Stones 

Written by Rebecca Lisle
- http://www.rebeccalisle.com

Illustrated by Richard Watson
- https://en-gb.facebook.com/RichardWatsonIllustration

Published by Maverick Arts
- http://www.maverickbooks.co.uk

The Stone Age is a little bit boring, so brothers Pod and Hinge decide to shake things up a bit and make the best game ever!! It doesn’t go quite to plan of course, and they end up making quite a mess. This hilarious book is packed full of word play making it silly, entertaining and educational all at once! With brilliantly vivid and funny illustrations children are sure to love this quirky read.

"I'm so bored", said Pod's little brother, Hinge. "What can we do?""I'll invent a new game," Pod said. "Just for you!"

All of the above books are available to borrow from Sheffield Libraries, so why not read them all with your children and then vote for your favourite! Pick up the voting form from your local library.