Libraries Sheffield: The Sheffield Children's Book Award

The Sheffield Children's Book Award is brought to you by Sheffield Libraries and is a celebration of our favourite children's books of the year! This Award is a way to share with you books that children will love to read, whilst also promoting inclusion, diversity and empathy in great stories.

Right about now we would ordinarily be counting up your votes for this year's shortlisted titles, readying for our ceremony in November, but like many things, Covid-19 has meant a change of plans. Don't fear, the book award is still happening, but we've moved it over to next year where we will hopefully have a bumper double, and most importantly safe, celebration of titles in 2021

However, we still have an exciting bunch of beautiful books that we want to promote and enjoy on this year's shortlist so for the next few weeks we'll be blogging about each category of shortlisted titles and giving you a closer look at each one.

Vote for your Favourite!

Why not read the books for yourself and let us know which is your favourite?

Get a closer look at each title in our Instagram Highlights

Then submit your vote via our online form.

Picture Books

Our third category is the Picture Books, perfect bedtime stories to entertain and excite little ones, great group or classroom reads the picture books contains a variety of stories and illustrations to delight.

The Truth About Old People

Written and illustrated by Elina Ellis

Published by Two Hoots

A very funny and loveable picture book tribute to grandparents and older people.

When you're small, everybody bigger than you seems really old. But does being older have to mean being boring, or slow or quiet? NO! Elina Ellis' wonderful illustrations reveal that the age you are makes no difference to how amazing you can be.

From the winner of the Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2017, The Truth About Old People is an instant favourite with children and grown-ups that joyfully busts stereotypes about older people. Elina has a great talent for characterful illustrations: you'll feel like you've known this family all your life.

Watch Elina read The Truth About Old People in the video below

A Mouse Called Julian

Written and illustrated by Joe Todd Stanton

Published by Flying Eye Books

Julian is a mouse who is perfectly happy avoiding other animals. They seem to just get in the way and sometimes even try to eat him! But one day Julien has an unexpected dinner guest...

When fox tries to sneak into Julian's burrow for a tasty bit of mouse, it finds itself stuck headfirst in Julian's front door! This is a gorgeous modern graphic novel style picture book which has a charming yet funny tale to tell.

Watch Joe Todd Stanton read A Mouse Called Julian over on YouTube

Show and Tell

Written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph

Published by Harper Collins

The funny and fantastic new picture book from award-winning and bestselling creative star Rob Biddulph! School has never been so fun.

Meet Class 21. These kids are excited. Today's Show and Tell day and you're all invited! come and be schooled in magic and wonder in this brand new story about how biggest isn't always best.

Packed to the brim with his trademark warm humour, life lessons and pitch perfect rhyme, this is a story to read together, laugh out loud at and enjoy over and over again. The perfect book for boys and girls to read out loud or enjoy alone.

Watch the official trailer for Show and Tell on YouTube