Best Children's Book 6+ | Junior Design Awards 2022

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK 6+ : GOLD

WHO: The Big Book of Belonging by Yuval Zommer (Thames & Hudson)

WHAT: The latest addition to the award-winning 'Big Book' series for children who want to connect with nature and learn all about their wonderful planet.

WHY: Our judges loved this book which examines the parallels between humans, animals and plants. The large scale format, upbeat intricate illustrations and fascinating text makes this a book for kids to really pore over. A great gift for any kids who love unearthing the mysteries of the natural world.

This is such a beautiful book - a perfect gift for children with enquiring minds and a love of nature.

Absolutely enamoured by this beautiful creation, from the idea and over-all design, the engaging illustrations and the educational subjects delivered in an enchanting journey through it’s wonderful pages. I cannot fault this book! I really like the size of it, perfect for a child to settle down with on the floor and get lost in, to explore and learn from these stimulating facts. Also engaging for a parent to read, to encourage reading it together.

This is the kind of book you’ll look back on fondly as an adult. Rich with fascinating facts and brilliant drawings, it’s perfect for curling up with in a garden den or in an armchair on a rainy day.

WHERE: Thames & Hudson and Waterstones

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK 6+ : JOINT SILVER

WHO: What Can I Do? Inspiring Activities for Creative Kids by Mary Richards (Agnes & Aubrey)

WHAT: A fun-filled activity book, full of fascinating facts and a huge range of creative projects.

WHY: “Go on an adventure from your living room!” urges writer and illustrator Mary Richards, who created this fun-filled book over lockdown, testing it on her own four children. Our panel loved the premise of this book which helps parents answer that hourly question. “ I’m bored. What can I do?” Quirky, engaging illustrations and lovely original ideas for projects make for a great retort.

How many times a day have I needed this book? A great source of fresh and original craft activities and interesting facts that should always be to hand.

Brilliant attention to detail making it interesting, engaging and informative for the age bracket. Fun ideas that don’t require much more expense than pen, paper and imagination. What makes this stand out is it being a great combination of suggestions that cover a mix of physically and intellectually stimulating activities. I especially love the ‘Did You Know?’ features and the patterns are brilliant. A great well rounded book that I’m sure will fly off the shelves.

I love this super creative acitivity book from this exciting independent publisher. A great idea that will help spark and steer plenty of creative projects.

WHERE: Agnes & Aubrey and WHSmith

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK 6+ : JOINT SILVER

WHO: I Saw a Beautiful Woodpecker by Michal Skibinski illustrated by Ala Bankcroft (Prestel Publishing)

WHAT: An illustrated hardback journal replicating the diary of an 8 year old polish boy in the Summer of 1939
WHY: Everyone was so moved by this book, which is a genuine sentence a day journal written by a young schoolboy in Warsaw against the backdrop of unfolding war. Light-hearted observations make way for darker, more troubling sentences that refer to the impact of war. Our judges agreed it was a sensitively presented, enlightening book that gives children a unique window into this time in history in a gentle but impactful way.

A beautiful book that encourages reflection and discussion about an important time in history in a way that young children will really engage with.

I LOVE this, what a brilliant, brilliant book.Tactile design with vibrant and emotive illustrations by Ala that are reminiscent of a more modern collab of Cezane and Monet! A very moving and inspiring book that is not only lovely to flick through but could serve as a lovely Summer holiday project for kids to do of their own, learning to appreciate the small things through one line a day. Age appropriate, excellent quality and totally charming. A good one to encourage a range of emotions and a good lesson on reflection too.

Who better to help children understand the very real impact of war than a child their own age, living it in real time? What an amazing resource Michal has left us and what a sensitive rendering of his diary. It is amazing what you can communicate with just one sentence a day.

WHERE: Prestel Publishing and Waterstones

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK 6+ : BRONZE

WHO: The Book of Me and You: A record of us (Colour Chronicles)

WHAT: A hardback keepsake book, designed to be filled out by children and a special grown-up in their lives.

WHY: Spending quality time connecting with your family can be tricky in this busy digital age and our judges loved the idea of family members bonding over this book and creating some family history together. The chunky brightly coloured books are full of prompts that help you record everything that makes you unique as well as space for anecdotes, recipes and more. A great gift for anyone who wants to sit down and connect with the child in their life, with the bonus of a wonderful record to look back on over the years.

Brilliant prompts and overall idea, I can imagine this would definitely be popular with families.

“ Love the idea of this book. Perfect for a grandparent to fill out with their grandchildren or for any family member who wants to record the treasured moments and unique details or their lives for posterity.

WHERE: Colour Chronicles and Not On The High Street