DFB up for two Blue Peter Awards

Two titles from David Fickling Books are in the running for the 2018 Blue Peter Book Awards along with offerings from Chicken House, Hodder, Scholastic and children’s indie B Small Publishing.

 “Strong female leads” are celebrated in the Best Story category, of which the shortlist includes The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Chicken House), Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans (DFB) and Cressida Cowell’s The Wizards of Once (Hodder Children's Books).

Comedian and presenter Dara Ó Briain is battling it out in the Best Book with Facts category with his Beyond the Sky: You and the Universe by illustrated by Dan Bramall (Scholastic) along with Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Scientists by Adam Murphy and Lisa Murphy (DFB, Real-Life Mysteries by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker (B Small Publishing).

Managed by reading charity BookTrust, Blue Peter Book Awards honour authors, illustrators and the best books for children, published in the last 12 months. The winning titles, voted for by more than 500 children from 12 schools across the UK, will be revealed live on Blue Peter on World Book Day on 1st March 2018, with the winning authors and illustrators appearing on the special awards episode of the show.

The judges, including Drivetime DJs and Kid Normal authors Greg James and Chris Smith, Poet and Darcy Burdock author Laura Dockrill, School Librarian of the Year 2016 Amy McKay and Blue Peter editor and non-voting chair Ewan Vinnicombe selected the shortlist which will be sent out to 12 schools, giving participating children the opportunity to read the final six and vote for their favourite books.

Dockrill said: “I met wizards, talking toys with speech impediments, and was flown across the globe to marvellous new landscapes. I met big foot, uncovered mysteries and had my head blown off by space facts. It was a wonderful privilege and the shortlist is stunning.”

Diana Gerald, c.e.o of BookTrust said: “The Blue Peter Book Awards are a brilliant way to celebrate children's literature and get youngsters excited about reading. BookTrust is honoured to be involved in such prestigious awards and hopefully inspire even more children to become lifelong readers."

Visit www.booktrust.org.uk/bluepeter or follow @Booktrust and #BPBA.