Peterborough author wins top prize

A Peterborough children’s author has won a top book prize after impressing judges including Princess Beatrice and Dermot O’Leary

Benji Davies, who was born and raised in Peterborough, is the first person ever to win Oscar’s Book Prize for a second time with his picture story book Tad.

The £5,000 literary award, supported by Amazon and the National Literacy Trust, recognises great storytelling in books for children under five which have been published within the past year.

Benji, both the author and illustrator, told a story of growing up with his tale following Tad, the smallest tadpole in a big pond.

HRH Princess Beatrice, the award’s patron since 2017, announced this year’s winner on the Oscar’s Book Prize website in a video filmed from her home. The announcement also included endorsements from fellow judges broadcaster and children’s book author Dermot O’Leary, creator of the Horrid Henr.

Speaking about her support for the prize, HRH Princess Beatrice said: “I felt so lucky to be able to read each of shortlisted books for Oscar’s Book Prize. This year the quality of entries was unprecedented and the judges decided to extend the shortlist from five to six. Benji Davies, congratulations on what is a remarkable book of a lovely story. I had so much fun reading it myself.”

Speaking about his win, Benji added: “To win Oscar’s Book Prize in 2014 with The Storm Whale was an incredible feeling and I am very pleased to have won the Ppize for a second time with Tad - I really can’t believe it. When I wrote the story I wanted it to help small children navigate life in those early years. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Benji Davies and Princess Beatrice with his winning book