Sheffield Children's Book Award Focus - Toddler Books

The Sheffield Children's Book Award is back and brilliant as ever. 2018 sees a new shortlist of dazzling titles. Every year, in January, a stack of Sheffield Library staff escape the cold, and fueled by tea and biscuits, look through a long-list of the previous year's children's book releases, selecting only the very best to make the award shortlist. These books are then sent out to schools and libraries throughout Sheffield, where children read and vote for their favourites. That's what is special about the Sheffield Children's Book Award, it is the children, well known for being the harshest of critics, who decide on the winners.

This year is the 30th Anniversary of the awards!! (I know, we look far too young for it don't we?), so we are going to be celebrating in style!

For the next few weeks we are zooming in on the shortlisted titles in each category, and our next stop is with the brilliant toddler books! We hope you love these as much as we do. 

Hole in the Zoo

Written by Mick Inkpen
- https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/Books/MickInkpen

Illustrated by Chloe Inkpen
- https://www.chloeinkpen.com

Published by Hodder
- https://www.hodder.co.uk



Oh no! There’s a hole in the zoo and all the animals are escaping and entering house number 2! This is a fun packed and silly adventure, brilliant for developing counting skills and animal recognition, and just for a great big giggle too! Chloe's illustrations are utterly enchanting, with lots of adorable and confused faces to enjoy! This is an ideal story time read to bring a smile and sure to be requested time and time again. 

“Thursday lunchtime at number 2. Who’s coming through the hole in the … ZOO?”

Yoga Babies

Written by Fearne Cotton

- http://www.officialfearnecotton.com

Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
- http://www.sheenadempsey.com

Published by Andersen Press
- https://www.andersenpress.co.uk

A brilliantly inclusive book showing the benefits of yoga for babies and the huge variation of movements, complimented by lovely soft and characterful illustrations by Sheena Dempsy. This wonderful picture book will get you and your toddler up and moving, but also give you something to gaze over after your yoga session. A lovely introduction to health and well being. 

“We’re the Yoga Babies, look what we can do: Rex can make the downward dog. Can you do it too?”

My Incredible Knitting Nana

Written and illustrated by Rowena Blyth

Published by Fourth Wall Publishing
- http://www.fourthwallpublishing.com

Nana loves to knit, and when she sees the plight of the cold penguins in Antarctica, she jets there with a plan to help everyone get warm again! But as is the case with most picture books, it all gets rather out of hand!

“Look at those poor little penguins, all huddled together in the cold. I must knit them some jumpers right away – Molly, grab my wool – Let’s go!”

All of the above books are available to borrow from Sheffield Libraries, so why not read them all with your children and then vote for your favourite! Pick up the voting form from your local library.