Hockney and Gayford make Educational Writers' Award 2019 shortlist

The Educational Writers' Award 2019 shortlist has been revealed with titles from David Hockney, Martin Gayford and Alastair Humphreys in the running. 

Six books for readers aged 5-11 years have been shortlisted for the UK’s only award for educational writing which stimulates and enhances the learning experience, with titles featuring colourful histories of art, and the fight for women’s suffrage; the journeys of intrepid explorers; and the wonders of science and nature; as well as providing help for the anxious recognised. 

A History of Pictures for Children by David Hockney & Martin Gayford and illustrated by Rose Blake (Thames & Hudson) goes head to head with All Birds Have Anxiety by Kathy Hoopmann (Jessica Kingsley Publishers.) 

Alistair Humphreys' Great Adventurers: The Incredible Expeditions of 20 Explorers by Humphreys and illustrated by Kevin Ward (Big Picture Press) is also shortlisted alongside Suffragettes and the Fight for the Vote by Sarah Ridley and illustrated by Jenny Child (Franklin Watts). 

Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder: Adventures in Science Round the Kitchen Table by Alom Shaha and illustrated by Emily Robertson (Scribble) and Anna Wilson's 2019 Nature Month-by-Month: A Children's Almanac, illustrated by Elly Jahnz (Nosy Crow) round off the shortlist. 

Judges teacher Hollie Davis, author Michaela Morgan, and school librarian Fiona Shufflebotham will announce the winner of the £2,000 prize on 3rd December. 

Now in its twelfth year, the Educational Writers’ Award was established in 2008 by the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) and the Society of Authors (SoA) “to celebrate educational writing that inspires creativity and encourages students to read widely and build up their understanding of a subject beyond the requirements of exam specifications”. 

The 2018 winner was Far From Home: Refugees and Migrants Fleeing War, Persecution and Poverty by Cath Senker (Franklin Watts).