Best Children's Book 6yrs+ (published within last 12 months) | Junior Design Awards 2023

Winners of Best Children's Book 6yrs+ (published within last 12 months) | Junior Design Awards 2023

Best Children’s Book 6+: GOLD

WHO: Orion Children's Books (part of Hachette Children's Group)

WHAT: Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Illustrated by Tom de Freston

WHY: Our judges loved this book based on the true story of an Arctic fox who walked from Norway to Canada in seventy-six days, covering a distance of two thousand miles. A compelling, emotional and beautifully told story, illustrated with Tom de Freston’s magical artwork, the panel felt this book would make a great gift for children of around age 9 and older.

A very special book that is perfect for family story time or that older children will love reading to themselves.

The book is all about hope, humanity, migration and the natural world and it is brought to life by the amazing illustrations by Tom de Freston (who I'm a huge fan of).

Beautiful idea and an enchanting book!

Combining beautiful art with a captivating true story full of heart - this book would make a wonderful gift. It feels really special to hold and to read.

WHERE: Hachette

Best Children’s Book 6+: SILVER

WHO: Hodder Children's Books (Hachette Children's Group)

WHAT: Which Way to Anywhere by Cressida Cowell

WHY: Much loved author and illustrator Cressida Cowell has created another fabulous story intertwined with her intricate and immersive illustrations. Our judges pronounced this book a real page-turner and felt children would love the mix of magic and adventure with a modern spin. The presentation of this book was a huge success and the panel felt it really did leap off the shelf. A wonderful book to give any child from age 9 and up.

Another huge hit from the How to Train Your Dragon author. No wonder this book has been optioned as a film!

Cowell’s mission is to encourage all readers to love reading as much as she did when she was a child, and to start creating themselves. The book features big bold topics, but it’s also compulsively readable, relatable and to top it off, funny! It is a magical family adventure story.

From its attention-grabbing cover to the big bold adventure within - this book is a fast paced exciting read - one that the whole family can enjoy. The way the illustrations are woven throughout the book makes it a fun way to immerse yourself in this new magic world.

WHERE: Hachette