2013 Shortlists Announced for Britain's Most Prestigious Children's Book Awards

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Just yesterday, Jen Robinson - author of the marvelous Jen's Book Page - was discussing how children's book bloggers could do more to promote high quality books to parents.

I agree, it is important to make it easier for parents to find excellent reading material for their kids.

And, as Jen explained in her post, there are several good sources for find good reading recommendations.

Not surprisingly, children's book awards are one of them.

Maybe one of the best. 

So in that spirit - let's celebrate together, as the shortlists of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway children's book awards 2013 in Britain have just been announced by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

The Carnegie Medal was instituted in memory of library champion Andrew Carnegie. The medal is awarded by children's librarians every year to the writer of the most outstanding book for children and young readers.

Interested?

If not, maybe you will be after you hear that previous winners include C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Eleanor Farjeon, Mary Norton and Terry Pratchett. Eight books have been shortlisted this year.

The  Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955 and named after popular children's book artist Kate Greenaway. It is awarded by children's librarians every year for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

Previous winners include Raymond Briggs, Shirley Hughes, Janet Alhberg and Quentin Blake. Eight books have been shortlisted this year for this medal, as well.

OK, Read Aloud Dad will not keep you waiting any more.

Drumroll.... so who are the shortlisted candidates for  the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards?

The Carnegie Medal 2013 shortlist (8 outstanding books):

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton

The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

In Darkness by Nick Lake

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

The Kate Greenway Medal 2013 shortlist (8 best illustrated):

Pirates 'n' Pistols by Chris Mould

Again! by Emily Gravett

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

King Jack and the Dragon by Helen Oxenbury (illustrator) and Peter Bently (author)

Black Dog by Levi Pinfold

Just Ducks! by Salvatore Rubbino (illustrator) and Nicola Davies (author)

Lunchtime by Rebecca Cobb

The winners of the CILIP Carnegie Medal and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal will be announced  by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals on Wednesday 19th June 2013 at an afternoon ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London.

The winners will each receive £500 worth of books to donate to their local library and the coveted golden medals.

Please tell me - do you have a favorite?

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