Jonny Duddle Wins Waterstones Childrens Book Prize

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Congratulations to Jonny Duddle! He has scooped the prestigious Waterstones' Childrens Book Prize 2012 for the absolutely magical The Pirates Next Door. This installment of Duddles' pirate books is about a family of pirates, The Jolley-Rogers who move into the small, quiet village of Dull-on-Sea, right next door to Matilda, who is very tired of living in a dull, boring little village where everything is just-so and nothing ever happens. Of course, this stirs things up a bit.
In addition to winning the overall prize (which came with a £3,000 award), The Pirates Next Door was also named Best Picture Book of the year for it's fantastic illustrations and storyline.
Personal recommendation: This book and Duddles' previous picture book The Pirate-Cruncher are truly wonderful with atmospheric, delightful and (as I said before) magical illustrations. Anyone, child or adult, would love these books.
AND...I should also mention that Jonny Duddle was presented this award on the same day Pirates: In An Adventure With Scientists opened in the cinema. Duddle was the concept artist for the film. Red letter day for Mr. Duddle!
Finally, in regard to the Waterstones' Prizes; Liz Pichon's The Brilliant World of Tom Gates was awarded best fiction for children 5 to 12 and Jenny Downham picked up best book for teenagers accolade for her book, You Against Me.
Hearty congratulations to all!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17534970

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