BOOK OF THE YEAR 


OVERVIEW A new category this year (previously    importance of illustrated books to the industry. Seasonal books are to the fore, with two Christmas titles and one Halloween offering joining board books for the very young and a YA graphic novel. The shortlist is rounded off by a groundbreaking picture book collaboration between Dapo Adeola and 18 illustrators.


HEY YOU! The collaborative work between 18 illustrators and award-winning draughtsman, Dapo Adeola’s writing brought the ethos of the picture book—the celebration of Black communities—into its very construction. The success of Hey You! saw it become one of the bestselling picture books of 2021. As Puffin says, it is a book for our times with the power to change lives.


GREG THE SAUSAGE ROLL: SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER The authors “Ladbaby”—along with illustrator Gareth Conway—created an energetic book with special considera- tion put into the layout to help children who struggle with reading confidence. Via an initiative with W H Smith and the National Literacy Trust, more than 28,000 copies of the title were donated to children in need.


SUPERTATO AND THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING VEG Night of the Living Veg marks the eighth in Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet’s well-loved series. The Halloween-inspired Supertato adventure beat its potato-compatriots, becoming the children’s bestseller for five weeks—a new record. Securing a strong retail presence was a key part of S&S’ strategy to assure Supertato’s continued presence after Halloween.


PUBLISHERS 1 PUFFIN 2 PUFFIN 3 ALISON GREEN BOOKS


4 SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDRENS BOOKS


5 NOSY CROW


6 HODDER CHILDRENS BOOKS


PEEKABOO (BOOKS 3–7) It is notoriously hard to break into the board book market, yet Nosy Crow managed to top £1m in sales with just five titles in its Peekaboo series, authored by Camilla Reid. Bold, colourful images from illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius, coupled with lyrical text, 10 sliders and a mirror ending has made these books a hit with parents and children aged six to 18 months.


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HEARTSTOPPPER VOLUME FOUR The fourth instalment in the YA series works as a standalone, with the graphic format enabling new readers to dive into the lives of the characters. Alice Oseman is an authentic writer whose plots and inclusive representation resonate with readers. First- week sales of this LGBTQI+ love story were 233% up on the previous volume.


THE CHRISTMAS PINE Julia Donaldson’s rhyme was paired with illustrations from Norwegian Victoria Sandøy to create a Christmas picture book—a tale of growth inspired by the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, annually gifted to the UK from Norway. It was the best-selling picture book during its launch week and was backed by an impres- sive PR campaign with a high impact in the festive season.


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© Tim Lane


© Steve Ullathorne


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