Alligators Mouth Award 2024 Judges Announced

The Alligator’s Mouth Award is back for a sixth year, to celebrate the very best in highly illustrated children’s fiction. Take a look at the Judging pannel for 2024:

This year the exciting talented judges include: award winning author/illustrator Sam Usher, Librarian and Bookseller rising star Zoey Dixon, and Founder of BooksForTopics Allison Leach.

Alison Leach commented: ‘I’m delighted to be on the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2024 judging panel. Young illustrated fiction plays a special role in many children’s reading journeys, bridging the gap between picture books and longer chapter books. Finding the right book at this stage can be a magical experience that sparks a lifelong love of reading. The Alligator’s Mouth Award provides a brilliant platform for showcasing the most exciting and imaginative offerings that authors and illustrators bring to the table for this age group. It’s a joy to be one of the judges for next year’s award and I look forward to uncovering the gems among the selection that will positively impact children’s reading.’

Elys Dolan, winner of the 2023 award with Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise (Walker Books), will also be joining co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth Book shop Tony West and Margaret Wallace-Jones on the judging pannel this year.

Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West commented: ‘The judges for our 2024 Award bristle with talent and expertise - with the help of Elys (last year’s wonderful winner) and with Sam, Zoey and Alison we will enjoy sifting through the contenders to select some of the best Young Illustrated Fiction to appear in this past year. Our judges understand the originality and imagination needed to create a brilliant story for children at the start of their reading journey. Bring it on!’

The children’s book prize, launched by The Alligator’s Mouth and The Bright Agency in 2018, celebrates the best books for 6-8-year-olds, and champions authors and illustrators. Books wholesalers, Gardners, who offer independent bookshops a discount on the longlisted and shortlisted titles, will be continuing their support of the award as an official partner.

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Submissions close on Friday 24th November 2023. Submit your book here.

The longlist will be announced in March 2024, and the shortlist will be announced in May 2024. The winner of the award will be announced in July 2024 and they will receive The Alligator’s Mouth Award trophy.