The Children's Book Award 2018

Happy new year! Introducing the working group for the 2018 Surrey Libraries Children's Book Award - drum roll please...!

From left to right: Neil Richards, Katherine Hyland, June Hughes, Lorna Dicken, Owen Dixon, Jayne Mairs, and Carol Hales!

Let's find out what they have to say about this year's shortlist:

The New Adventures of Mr Toad by Tom Mooorehouse

This Wind in the Willows re-boot launches Mr Toad and Ratty into the 21st Century, with a crash, a bang and lots of laughs, on an epic adventure to save Toad Hall.
- Neil

Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop

I love the notion of the Montgomery Book Emporium - you can imagine a different room for each sort of book, like the very stark, efficient room that houses the dictionaries and the twinkling, starry room full of space books.
- June

A Jar of Pickles and a Pinch of Justice by Chitra Soundar

These four stories are full of wit and wonder – I loved the glimpse into Indian culture and folklore that they provided. Prince Veera and his best friend, Suku, bring wisdom and humour that runs through each and every tale.
- Lorna

Me and Mister P by Maria Farrer

'Me and Mister P' is a sensitive and funny book with a great feel good factor! Mister P is a polar bear with a big heart, who arrives on Arthur's doorstep and changes their lives forever. I love the way he brings everyone together and finally enables them to achieve their dreams.
- Jayne

 The No. 1 Car Spotter fights the factory by Atinuke

What I love about 'The No. 1 Car Spotter Fights the Factory' is that it deals with issues of development, pollution, and employment in a lively, warm-hearted story for young children, while still highlighting the seriousness of the issues. Oluwalese Babatunde Benson (The No. 1 car spotter in his village) is a brilliant character - resourceful, quick-witted, and fun.
- Carol