We are thrilled to share that ten books have been longlisted for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2023, which champions authors and illustrators of highly illustrated children’s fiction. Celebrating its fifth year, the children’s book prize created The Bright Agency and The Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop, celebrates the best books for 6-8-year-olds.

Children’s author Nizrana Farook joined the judging panel this year, alongside last year’s winner Pippa Curnick. Pippa won the 2022 award with Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent (Hodder Children’s Books).

Nizrana commented: “I’m thoroughly enjoying being a judge on this amazing award. It hasn’t been easy choosing a longlist! But we’ve managed to pick ten titles after much deliberation, and what a list it is! Fun, feelings, humour, action – there’s something for everyone here.”

Pippa Curnick winning the Alligator’s Award Trophy 2022 // Author and Judge Nizrana Farook

Joining them on the judging panel is primary school teacher and children’s book consultant ‘The Reader Teacher’ Scott Evans; and co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop, Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West.

Tony West and Margaret Wallace-Jones of The Alligator’s Mouth said: “This is our fifth year celebrating exciting and funny illustrated fiction that helps children become confident readers. The Alligator’s Mouth Award continues to highlight the excellent publishers, authors and illustrators who create these brilliant books, which should be in all school libraries far and wide. We hope you enjoy our 2023 longlist.”

Books wholesaler Gardners returns as an official partner of the award and are offering independent bookshops across the UK up to 50% discount on all ten longlisted titles from the 29th March 2023 until the end of July 2023.

The award is also working with Fun Kids, the UK’s only National radio station for 6-12 years old, and Coram Beanstalk, the national reading charity, to run a special competition giving school libraries a chance to win the longlisted titles. The competition will run in April 2023, and schools can find out more and enter via the Coram Beanstalk site.

The shortlist will be announced in May 2023. The winner will be announced in July 2023.

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The Full Longlist:

Bad Panda: The Cake Escape written by Swapna Haddow and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey // Faber Children’s, Faber

Big Sky Mountain: The Forest Wolves written and illustrated by Alex Milway // Piccadilly Press, Bonnier Books UK

Elisabeth and the Box of Colours written by Katherine Woodfine and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb // Little Gems, Barrington Stoke

Marv and the Pool of Peril written by Alex Falase-Koya and illustrated by Paula Bowles // Oxford University Press

Mike Falls Up written by Candy Gourlay and illustrated Carles Ballesteros // Stripes Publishing, Little Tiger

Ollie Spark and the Accidental Adventure written by Gillian Cross and illustrated by Alan Snow // David Fickling Books

Princess Minna: The Enchanted Forest written by Kirsty Applebaum and illustrated by Sahar Haghgoo // Nosy Crow

Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise written and illustrated by Elys Dolan // Walker Books

Rudy and the Wolf Cub written by Paul Westmoreland and illustrated by George Ermos // Oxford University Press

Sona Sharma: a Friend Indeed written by Chitra Soundar and illustrated by Jen Khatun // Walker Books

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Keep up to date with the awards at www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/award and on Twitter by following #AlligatorsAward