WRITING FOR CHILDREN
In it to win it!
Amy Sparkes showcases the winners of Writing Magazine’s 2020 Picture Book Prize
Huge and heartfelt congratulations to everyone who entered the Picture Book Prize 2020. It certainly wasn’t the easiest year to write, so it’s a massive achievement if you managed to finish and submit a story deserves.
FIRST PLACE: Louise Fitzgerald: Quickest Bedtime Story Ever
Sp read 1
Great news, this book contains the quickest bedtime story ever!
It’s a 10 word story you will love, share and treasure.
BUT before I start, you need to get yourself ready... a little voice warm-up, I think… off you go!
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, mee, mee, mee, mee marrrrrr, plop!
Spread 2
Erm excuse me you all need to do it properly! Put on your poshest singing voice. Try again please…no giggling.
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, mee, mee, mee, mee marrrrrr, plop!
And then …. Toot, tee, Toot, tee, la, la, loopy, droopy, poopy, ping!
Toot, tee, Toot, tee, la, la, loopy, droopy, poopy, ping!
And to finish off… Zing, zingy, zing, bing, bingy, bing boo, bar, boo, barrrrr
POOOOOO!
Well done, much better. You deserve a round of applause; clap at least ten times, nice and clear and slow. Off you go.
Right, where were we? Oh yes – turn the page BUT as you turn it you need to make a really funny noise. WITHOUT laughing! Page turning is a very serious business, I’ll have you know.
This year we had a phenomenal 473 entries. Creating the longlist and shortlist seems to get harder every year. There were so many wonderful titles, but eventually we narrowed it down to ten on our shortlist, and finally our winning three.
Huge congratulations to them all! And here they are…
Judges’ comments: ‘A riotously fun read-along for kids and parents alike.’
How long have you been writing for?
‘I started writing for children with real intention around 2019; before this, I’ve always written as a form of expression in the shape of scrappy diary entries or play scripts. I’ve worked creatively with children for fifteen years, so my writing is certainly a product of all my interactions with young people.’