Shireen, Adeola, Haddow and Dempsey longlisted for The Alligator's Mouth Award

Nadia Shireen, Dapo Adeola, Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey are among the authors and illustrators longlisted for The Alligator’s Mouth Award for 2022 (see below for full longlist). 

Now in its fourth year, the annual children’s book prize created by The Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop and The Bright Agency celebrates illustrated books for children aged six to eight years old. 

The 10-strong longlist trends towards Stem-savvy characters this year, with themes of adventure and humour popular. 

Adeola has been listed for Space Detectives (Bloomsbury), a sci-fi detective book written by Mark Powers, while the first book in Shireen’s Grimwood series, which follows the exploits of two funny foxes, has also made the cut. Bad Panda (Faber Children’s), illustrated by Dempsey and written by Swapna Haddow, is also battling it out for the award.

Sophy Henn, winner of the 2021 award with Pizazz (Simon & Schuster Children’s UK), is returning to join the judging panel this year, alongside rapping teacher and literacy advocate MC Grammar, award-winning author Joseph Elliott; primary teacher, reading consultant and book blogger Jo Cummins (Library Girl & Book Boy); and co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth, Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West. 

"Some might say I am biased but The Alligator’s Mouth Award is such a special award, celebrating an often-overlooked genre in children’s books—illustrated fiction," Henn said. "These books can act as a bridge for keen readers, a helping hand for those less sure and a starting point for reluctant readers. They play such an important part in so many children’s reading journeys. I am thrilled they are celebrated with an award all of their own."

The Wallace-Joneses added: “It’s another fantastic longlist for our fourth Alligator’s Mouth award. These books are inventive, original, exciting, witty and imaginative, and they will create lifelong readers. Well done to everyone longlisted.”

Books wholesaler Gardners returns as an official partner of the award and is offering independent bookshops across the UK up to 50% discount on all longlisted titles from the 29th March until the end of July.

This year the award is also working with Fun Kids, the UK’s only national radio station focusing on content for children aged six to 12 years old, and Coram Beanstalk, the national reading charity, to run a special competition giving school libraries a chance to win the longlisted titles. The competition will run in April.

The shortlist will be announced in May and the winner announced in July.

The full longlist for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2022:

An Alien in the Jam Factory, written by Chrissie Sains, illustrated by Jenny Taylor (Walker Books)

Bad Panda, written by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Sheena Dempsey (Faber Children’s)

Cally and Jimmy: Twintastic, written by Zoe Antoniades, illustrated by Katie Kear (Andersen Press)

Genie and Teeny: Make a Wish, written and illustrated by Steve Lenton (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Grimwood, written and illustrated by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books)

Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent, written and illustrated by Pippa Curnick (Hodder Children’s Books)

Kate on the Case, written and illustrated by Hannah Peck (Piccadilly Press) 

Space Detectives, written by Mark Powers, illustrated by Dapo Adeola (Bloomsbury)

The Girl Who Talked to Trees, written by Natasha Farrant, illustrated by Lydia Corry (Zephyr)

Will Jakeman’s Marvellous Mechanimals, written and illustrated by Nick Ward (Guppy Books)