Blue Peter Book Awards won by McNicoll, Barfield and Bradley

The Blue Peter Book Awards have been won this year by Elle McNicoll's A Kind of Spark (Knights Of) and Mike Barfield and Jess Bradley's A Day in the Life of a Poo, A Gnu and You (Buster Books).

This year's winners, chosen by a judging panel of more than 200 children, were announced in the long-running BBC show's edition on 4th March, marking World Book Day.

McNicholl's debut scooped the Best Story prize for its stereotype-busting message that there are “many different ways to be autistic”. The book follows Addie in a crusade for equality and truth, celebrating the fact that it is okay to be different.

The author 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.”

Meanwhile, the Best Books With Facts prize was won by Barfield and Bradley's title for “its fabulously informative and very funny” inside story of brains, pimples, farts, porcupines, Japanese knotweed and everything in between.

Barfield 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. Gnu-sized thanks to the programme, to BookTrust, my brilliant illustrator Jess Bradley, to publisher Buster Books and my lovely agent Anne Clark. All are a part of winning this prize.”

Illustrator Bradley added: “As someone who grew up watching 'Blue Peter', this is the most exciting award to win, so a massive thank you to all of the readers who voted for us. 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!”

Managed by children's reading charity BookTrust, the awards honour amazing authors, imaginative illustrators and the best books for children published in the last 12 months.

Diana Gerald, BookTrust c.e.o, commented: “Every year without fail, the Blue Peter Book Awards showcase the exceptional talent in the world of children's books and this year is no different. These fantastic books will help children to be inspired, creative, confident and encourage different ways of thinking. As always with the judging, it was a very close call, but Elle, Mike and Jess triumphed. Congratulations to the very deserving winners.”

Blue Peter editor Ellen Evans added: “The Blue Peter Book Awards give kids the opportunity to vote for their favourite books and it’s fantastic to hear them talk about reading for fun. The two winners are brilliant books. I hope Elle McNicoll’s A Kind of Spark will inspire kids to find their own voice, like Addie, and to stand up for what they believe in. Mike Barfield and Jess Bradley’s A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu and You, is so visual and fun, that young readers will love discovering all kind of facts about the world they live in, from the secret diary of a slug, to how your heart beats, or why volcanoes explode.”