This award celebrates the creativity and craft involved in producing books for younger children aged up to 5,  in which illustration plays a key and dominant part. The winning entry will surprise and delight, combining pictures with words to create an engaging tale that lends itself to being read aloud.

Criteria

• Storytelling: A story with a strong beginning, engaging plot and satisfying ending 

• Prose Clear, engaging and age-appropriate language that lends itself to being read aloud.

• Originality e.g. of story/character/ style/ perspective

• Accessibility: Clear, well organised pages that place priority on readability (e.g. selected fonts)

• Artwork: Impact of illustrations on the reading experience - e.g. adding meaning, conveying information, delivering messages, driving narrative

• Diversity and respectful representation: People and experiences are portrayed authentically and with sensitivity, without stereotyping, generalising or trivialising.

• Appeal: Design and layout of the book is eye-catching, engaging and accessible. Consider use of colour, composition, originality and innovation (e.g. interactive elements).

• Impact: A pleasurable reading experience overall that leaves a lasting impression and stands up to being read on repeat.