Oban-based author shortlisted for top Scottish award
An Oban-based author is celebrating this week after one of his recent picture books was shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize 2019.
Alan Windram’s picture book One Button Benny, which is illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter, is a wonderful story about heroes and the unlikely places you find them. The fun tale for three-to sixyear-olds sees loveable robot Benny becoming a surprising hero when the hairy, scary collectors try to take over his planet.
The shortlist for the 2019 Bookbug Picture Book Prize was announced last week, with the vote opening to schools and the public.
One Button Benny is one of three picture books shortlisted for the third Bookbug Picture Book Prize. The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators, and is run by Scottish Book Trust, with support from Browns Books for Students.
Children across the country can vote for the winner by submitting a class vote online or at home, via the Scottish Book Trust website.
The Bookbug Picture Book Prize 2019 shortlist is:
One Button Benny by Alan Windram, illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter (Little Door Books)
Eric Makes a Splash by Emily MacKenzie (Bloomsbury)
I am Bat by Morag Hood (Two Hoots Books)
A free copy of all three shortlisted books will be given to every Primary 1 child during Book Week Scotland (November 19 - December 25), in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag, with the winning book announced in an exclusive video to all registered groups on January 16 2019.
Alan said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled that One Button Benny has been shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize.
‘I had such fun working with Chloe Holwill-Hunter as she brought Benny to life with her amazing illustrations.
‘I hope that everyone enjoys reading the book as much as we enjoyed creating it. Like Benny the robot, I am literally over the moon.’
One Button Benny is published by Oban-based Little Door Books (www.littledoorbooks.co.uk). Director Susan Northey said: ‘I am delighted for Alan and Chloe that their wonderful book One Button Benny has been shortlisted for the Scottish Book Trust’s 2019 Bookbug Picture Book Prize.
‘As a small independent publisher we work hard to create high-quality picture books that reflect the firstclass writing talent of our authors, and also showcase young and little-or-unknown illustrating talent, with the ultimate aim of producing picture books that children will love.
‘To be shortlisted for such a prestigious prize is a real honour.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘The Bookbug Picture Book Prize highlights some of the finest children’s books in Scotland. We are delighted to work with Browns Books for Students to make this award possible and celebrate the wonderful authors and illustrators working in the picture book industry.
‘We are sure children will love reading these stories and we look forward to finding out which is their favourite.’
Alan Bett, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: ‘We would like to congratulate the authors and illustrators of the three books shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize. These might be some of the first works of fiction young readers enjoy for themselves, and an early step in a lifetime’s love of books.
Creative Scotland is delighted to support this initiative, through Scottish Book Trust, which lets the readers themselves vote for the winner.’