Costa Childrens Book of the Year Award

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The Costa Book of the Year Awards were announced today. Big, big congratulations to Kate Saunders for winning in the childrens category with her incredibly wonderful title, Five Children on the Western Front.
This is a beautifully written homage to E. Nesbit's Five Children and It. The children have grown now, and one more has been added, as little sister Edith came along since the last adventure. With Cyril off fighting (WW1), the Lamb and Edith re-discover the sand-fairy, the Psammead, for the first time in ten years. Having become little more than a story they told each other, his reappearance sparks another series of adventures and dramas; but the Psammead has returned for a reason....
Moving, fascinating and written in the tone of the original, Five Children on the Western Front stands apart as more than a sequel. Saunders has explored the character of the Psammead in depth, giving him a foundation, background; a history with a critical role to play in more than we could have expected. But this has not burdened the story. A heart-felt, compassionate and intriguing tale, Five Children on the Western Front is a thoroughly deserving winner.
Follow the link below for a fascinating interview with Kate Saunders, as she talks about her inspiration.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11325338/Costa-Prize-Winner-Kate-Saunders-I-couldnt-have-written-this-book-if-I-hadnt-lost-my-own-boy.html

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