You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Gold wins Waterstones Children's Book Prize with debut The Last Bear
Hannah Gold has been named the overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2022 for her debut novel The Last Bear (HarperCollins Children’s Books), illustrated by Levi Pinfold.
Now in its 18th year, the prize consists of £5,000 and the promise of ongoing commitment to the winner’s writing and illustrating careers, making it one of the most valuable and prestigious children’s book awards in the UK.
Gold worked in the film and magazine industries before taking time out to pursue her dream of writing. She described The Last Bear as “a book of my heart” and as a chance to inspire children with the message “no-one is too small or insignificant to make a difference about the things they truly care about".
It tells the story of April, the daughter of an Arctic researcher, and her chance encounter with a lone polar bear.
The prize is voted for solely by booksellers. Florentyna Martin, Waterstones head of children’s, says: “With environmental topics on the rise in children’s literature, Hannah Gold’s triumphant debut stands out from the crowd. Prepare to be whisked away on a beautiful, unforgettable Arctic adventure. Hannah’s impeccable storytelling builds immersive landscapes and an inspirational friendship born of bravery and kindness. Our booksellers have expertly chosen a winner that provides a symbol of hope to the next generation; part battle cry, part love letter to our planet, April and Bear’s unique bond will teach every young reader how to roar.”
The chain is offering an exclusive celebratory edition with a Q&A from Gold, and inside jacket artwork from Pinfold.
The Last Bear was named overall winner after receiving the award for the Younger Readers category earlier in the evening. Andersen Press scooped the two other categories with wins for Ciara Syth’s Not My Problem in the Older Readers category and Harry Woodgate’s Grandad’s Camper in the Illustrated category.
Not My Problem is described as a “moving and hilarious high school story about a troubled rulebreaker who accidentally becomes the school’s problem-fixer and finds herself connecting with the most unexpected group of people” while Grandad’s Camper “celebrates love in all its forms with a warm and positive message about inclusion”.
Last year’s overall winner Elle McNicoll’s A Kind of Spark shot to the top of the bestseller charts after being announced as Waterstones Children’s Book Prize Winner and saw an increase in sales of 2,300% across the Waterstones estate.
