Storybooks for under-fives shortlisted for award

The award, in its first year, celebrates the best books for sharing with babies and children from birth to five.

• New award champions books for babies and under-fives
• NW's books for children

The seven books on the shortlist were chosen by a panel of judges including Baroness Floella Benjamin and illustrator James Mayhew.

The shortlisted books are:

• Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett
• Billy and the Beast by Nadia Shireen
• Cake by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
• Amazing by Steve Anthony
• Little Owl, Little Owl, Can't You Sleep? by Jo Lodge
• Hat tricks by Satoshi Kitamura
• If All the World Were by Joe Coelho and Allison Colpoys

The Storytime Book Prize is run in partnership with the Youth Libraries Group. Over the summer holidays, the seven shortlisted books with be shared with children, carers and families by librarians in each of the nine English regions, along with Wales and Northern Ireland, to find the best book for sharing.

The winning book will be chosen by public vote and announced a ceremony in London in November.

Judge Baroness Floella Benjamin said, ‘Narrowing the shortlist was an incredibly difficult decision, so difficult that we added a 7th book to the shortlist. We hope that the stories we’ve chosen will make kids (and adults) laugh, sing, dance and snooze. These books set the perfect platforms to start conversations about the importance of understanding and acceptance and will give families the perfect opportunity to bond. We cannot wait to see what the public decide!’

Emily Gravett, author and illustrator commented, ‘I am over the moon that my book Cyril and Pat has been shortlisted for the BookTrust Storytime Award. I’m sure I speak for all the authors when I say I’m honoured to be shortlisted for such an incredible new prize. I’m especially excited because the award promotes the sharing of books, which is something that I feel is incredibly important in a young child’s development.’