Alligator's Mouth Award Party 2025

We’re thrilled to share that Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer has been crowned the winner of the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2025!

Published by Oxford Children’s, Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth was announced as the winning title during a joyful ceremony on Thursday 3rd July. Presented by Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West, co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth Bookshop, the trophy marks a proud moment for Alex and the entire team behind the book.

Alex Latimer shared his excitement, saying:

“I am absolutely over the moon that Gordon the Meanest Goose has won the Alligator’s Mouth Award. I was blown away by the shortlist — all the amazing books and the incredible writers and illustrators on it. We really do have the best job in the world! I am so glad that this award celebrates the importance and the fun of highly illustrated books for children.”

The judging panel included last year’s winners, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (Adventuremice: Otter Chaos), who praised Gordon as:

“A very funny story, beautifully written and full of fantastic gags. The pictures work so well with it, bold and strong — they really make you laugh. Well done, Alex!”

Also joining the panel this year was Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk, who highlighted the importance of choosing books that appeal to all children — especially those who may be developing a love for reading.

Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West echoed this enthusiasm:

“We are so pleased to add Gordon to our pantheon of winners — he’s fantastically mean and grumpy, and his journey to redemption (via a flower) is marvellously entertaining and deeply satisfying. Children everywhere will be delighted by this funny, intelligent, inventive, subversive and beautifully designed book. Huge congratulations to Alex and the team at OUP — this book is a corker!”

The Alligator’s Mouth Award was launched in 2018 by The Alligator’s Mouth Bookshop in partnership with The Bright Agency to champion illustrated fiction for early readers. We’re proud of this award, which shines a light on storytelling that engages young readers through both words and pictures.

A huge congratulations to Alex Latimer and the team at OUP from all of us here at Bright!

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Explore more at: www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/award