Submissions welcomed for both fiction and non-fiction, in all age ranges from 4-7 and 7-11 years!
Submissions invited for the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards 2020! Celebrating the unique partnership of picture and text
Eligibility
There are four categories: Fiction for 4–7 years of age, Fiction for 7–11 years of age, Non-Fiction for 4–7 years of age, and Non-Fiction for 7–11 years of age. The book(s) should have been published in the UK for the first time in 2019 (i.e between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019 inclusive), although books may have previously been published outside the UK in a different year.There is no limit on the number of books that may be submitted, as long as each book meets the criteria.
What are we looking for?
Our winning books celebrate the unique partnership of picture and text
We are looking for books where word and image are of equal importance, each working with the other to create the perfect synergy of picture and text.
The writing should be of good quality and relevant to the age group; the illustration should be imaginative and of high artistic value; and they should come together to produce a whole that is both engaging and visually appealing.
Additional guidance on criteria:
The text and pictures should be of equal importance, and submissions should demonstrate the synergy between high quality writing and imaginative well-crafted images, where each feeds and interacts with the other to create a book that will fully engage the reader, in both its design and content.
We are committed to recognising excellence and, in exceptional cases, we may consider books that demonstrate the potential of the picture book but do not necessarily comply fully with all the criteria (e.g. The Arrival by Shaun Tan). Please note, however, that this is the exception rather than the rule.
In addition:
Fiction 4–7 years of age:
The language should be appropriate to the age group, with illustration integral to the text and of artistic merit. We are not looking for board books.
Fiction 7–11 years of age:
Non-Fiction 4–7 years of age:
These books should excite the imagination of the younger reader. The information should be accurate, with language appropriate to the age group. The illustrations should communicate well, complementing and extending the language used. Illustrations may include photographs, but all images should be of high aesthetic quality and should interact with the text.
Non-Fiction 7–11 years of age:
These books should show awareness of the level of knowledge of its readership and inspire them to discover more. The information should be accurate and appealing, with tone and style varied according to the type of information offered. The illustrations should communicate well, complementing and extending the text. Illustrations may include photographs, but all images should be of high aesthetic quality and should interact with the text.
Previous Book Award Winners
How to apply
From 4 November 2021,
- Post one copy of each book and information about the book / a press release to:
English 4–11 Picture Book Awards
The English Association
c/o University of Leicester
Leicester
LE1 7RH
The judging process
The winning books are chosen by the Editorial Board of English 4–11, the journal for primary teachers published jointly by The English Association and the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA), from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers and their students, and primary specialists.
Timetable for 2021 Awards
Wednesday 4 November 2021 Submission open
Thursday 21 January 2021: Deadline for submissions
Monday 12 April 2021: Shortlist announced
Wed 19/26 May 2021: Awards presented to winners at the British Academy
Notes
- The English 4–11 Picture Book Awards are presented annually by the English Association.
- There is no fee for submission and the English Association does not ask publishers for any financial contribution towards promotional material, including the full colour poster.
- There is no limit on the number of submissions as long as they meet the criteria.
- If your book is shortlisted we will ask for a further 4 copies to be sent to us.
- Winning books will be entitled to use the English 4–11 Book Awards logo. Full details are also available on the competition website.
Further information and any queries
If you have any queries about the Awards or the submission process, please contact Dami Oyinlola, Communications and Events Officer, at engassoc@le.ac.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)116 229 7584.
