Our top 10 prizewinning books for 2016 for ages 0-7
The Bear and The Piano David Litchfield
Frances Lincoln
Age 5-7 years
A bear cub wanders through the forest into a clearing and discovers a strange object that makes a strange and beautiful sound. Over time, he learns how to play the piano and, one day, is overheard by a father and son picnicking. Transported to New York City, he becomes a star but misses his old life in the forest, and his friends. The Bear and the Piano is a gentle and moving tale of belonging.
Winner: The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize: Best Illustrated Book
Footpath Flowers JonArno Lawson, illustrated by 
Sydney Smith
Walker Books
Age 3-7
A girl walks with her father through a black and white-illustrated, urban landscape. Only she can see beauty and colour in unexpected places, and shares her joy in the world by giving wildflowers to those she meets along the way, both people and animals. This is a quietly powerful, wordless picture book that provokes conversations about appreciating the little things in life and spreading the pleasure.
Shortlisted: The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016
Goldilocks and Little Bear app
Nosy Crow
Age 3-5
An innovative, interactive and multimedia app combining two classic stories. Lots to engage the imagination, do and enjoy!
I
am Henry Finch Alexis Deacon, Viviane Schwartz (illus)
Walker Books
Age 3-7
A hilarious tale of a courageous little bird striving to be different who is not afraid of making mistakes along the way. Henry Finch escapes the noisy chatter of home to find peace and quiet to think, and creates space for others to be themselves. Lots to talk about. Beautifully simple thumbprint illustrations that will inspire children to make their own.
Winner: English Association 4-11 Picture Book Awards 2016
I Need a Wee Sue Hendra
Simon and Schuster
Age 0-3
Toddlers and young children will have sympathy with Alan the Bear who has a problem: he’s far too busy and interested in other things to spare the time to have a wee. Will he make it in time?
Winner: Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (Lollies): Picture Book category 2016
Is there a Dog in this Book?Viviane Schwartz
Walker Books
Age 3-7
A hilarious and quirky game of hide and seek, this interactive flap book is about three cats, Andre, Tiny and Moonpie, whose sense of smell gives them an unnerving feeling there’s dog nearby. They’ll hide anywhere to keep out of sight, but will the dog discover them?
Winner: Federation of Children’s Book Groups Award: Books for Younger Children category
Watch the story performed here by its author, Viviane Schwartz
Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School Simon Puttock, Ali Pye (illus)
Nosy Crow
Age 3-5
Little Mouse is so shy, she can’t bring herself to say hello to anyone at Miss Moon’s Moonlight school for all the creatures of the night. A game of hide and seek helps her to makes friends and enjoy her new adventure. This is a wonderful story to steady any nerves about the first day at school and is a great read for Halloween, too.
Watch author Simon Puttock read the story
Shortlisted: Scottish Booktrust Bookbug Reader 3-7 category 2016
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole Mac Barnett
Walker Books
Age 3-7
Sam and Dave are on a mission to dig a hole until they find something spectacular. But it’s not as straightforward as they hope, so they keep digging. Only the reader knows how close they come to finding treasure. Finally, something truly spectacular happens. This intriguing tale keeps the reader guessing, and wondering about the characters beyond the end of the story. With themes of adventure, persistence and mystery, it’s a book children will want to talk about in order to explore the meanings.
Winner: Caldecott Honour Book 2015
Stanley the Amazing Knitting Cat Emily MacKenzie
Bloomsbury
Age 5-7
If there’s one thing Stanley loves to do, it’s knit. He knits anything from bobble hats to pompoms for his animal friends. In his desire to win the Woolly Wonders competition he risks losing his friends and has to decide what is most important.
An engaging, funny treat of a story with lots of making to do afterwards.
Emily Mackenzie demonstrates how to draw Stanley
See here for an activity pack linked to the book
Winner: Independent Bookshop Award, Children’s Picturebook category
The winner of the children’s book category, Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is included in our novels section. See here for activities.
Take Away the A Michaël Escoffier, Kris Di Giacomo (illus)
Andersen Press
Age 3-7
What happens to words when the A is removed? Or the W? Beast becomes best and witch becomes itch! This Alphabet picturebook is all about visual wordplay. It will intrigue readers, generating curiosity about, and attention to, written language and its subtle power to convey meaning.
There’s a Bear on My Chair Ross Collins
Nosy Crow
Age 3-5
Mouse arrives home to find Bear sitting on his favourite chair. This won’t do at all as there’s no room for Mouse! Despite trying everything to persuade him to go, Bear refuses to move. So Mouse leaves. After a while, Bear gets bored and goes home, only to find… Mouse!
A humorous way to help children understand different viewpoints and how to protest peacefully.
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