WRITING FOR CHILDREN
PICTURE PRIZES!
Amy Sparkes introduces the winners of the Picture Book category in this year’s WM Children’s Book Prize Congratulations to everyone who entered the Children’s Book Prize. Read on to find out about our three winning entries.
THIRD PLACE:
THE SWING
BY NETTA SOOSH
Judges’ comments: ‘Heartfelt, sensitive and beautifully handled.’
SPREAD 1
[Illustration note: A drab playground, streaks of blue and white on one side. Black, white, green, and red on the other side. And in the middle–a swing.]
No one thought a swing could cause a war. But then, it’s no ordinary swing.
Just ask Ruti and Hamza.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING JOURNEY SO FAR?
I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember, but things got serious in 2017 when I started writing a novel inspired by my work as a parliamentary advisor. That somehow ‘spiralled’ into me leaving my job in 2021 to write full-time. I was growing disillusioned with the direction things were heading in Israel and realized that stories – rather than policy – might be my way of making an impact. I’m always drawn to narratives that challenge perspectives, foster empathy, and respect children’s ability to grasp complex topics in their own way.
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?
As an Israeli-born writer living in the UK, this story is deeply personal. I grew up in Jerusalem during the Second Intifada, so the conflict wasn’t just on the news – it was my childhood. But while my experiences shaped the way I see the world, I wanted to create a story that transcends sides – to focus on shared humanity, not politics.