Waterstones Children's Prize 2014

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The Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2014 celebrated it's 10th year on Thursday, 3rd of April (this is a little belated, I know...apologies) at a ceremony at it's London Piccadilly flagship store with festivities surrounding the announcement of this years' winners. The prize celebrates new and emerging talent in the field of childrens' literature. Uniquely, this is the only childrens' literature award that is voted for solely by booksellers. So, take a bow, my comrades in the trade; you have chosen very well, indeed.
The overall winner and Best Fiction 5-12 category is:
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
Rooftoppers tells the story of Sophie, believed to be an orphan after a tragic shipwreck left her, a small baby, floating in the English Chanel in a cello case. But Sophie believes there is still a chance her mother may have survived. When the Welfare Agency writes, threatening to send Sophie to an orphanage, she takes matters into her own hands. She flees Paris to seek out her mother on her own. Beautiful, lyrical writing and a compelling story about a determined heroine set this novel apart. Simply wonderful!



Winner in the Best Picture Book Category is:
Open Very Carefully by Nick Bromley and Nicola O'Byrne

A totally grumpy crocodile has fallen into the wrong storybook! He is furious! And he begins to eat his way out; chewing on the pictures, gobbling up the letters.... Are you brave enough to take a peek, or will you slam the book and put it back on the shelf forever more?






And in the Best Book for Teens category, the winner is:
Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Brainy geek Harriet Manners is spotted by a modelling agency and lunges at the chance to reinvent herself; from freaky geek to beauty queen. Even if it means hurting her best friend and lying to the people she loves. Easy to follow, fantastically funny and wonderfully engaging.
Congratulations to you all! Well-done!

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