We are delighted to announce the winner of The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2021!

We are so excited that Pizazz by Sophy Henn has won The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2021. Run by the Bright Agency and The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop, the children’s book prize celebrates the finest illustrated fiction, for 6-8-year-olds.

The Alligator’s Mouth trophy was awarded to Sophy by last year’s winner Adam Stower, who praised Pizazz for being ‘original and funny, with a great cast of characters.’ We couldn’t agree more! Sophy’s first-in-series, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK, is a truly deserving winner.

The 2021 winner was announced via an online video. You can watch the full video below:

Speaking about her win, author and illustrator Sophy Henn said: ‘I was completely thrilled to be amongst such wonderful books on the longest; I could not believe my luck when I found myself on the shortlist, and I didn’t think for one moment that I would end up holding this beautiful award! WOW! A huge thank you to Tony, Margaret and the incredible team at the Alligator’s Mouth Award, to the brilliant judges, who are all utter heroes. And thank you to the all the wonders at Simon & Schuster, who have been so brilliant and supportive of Pizazz. I’m absolutely over the moon!’

Adam awarding Sophy her trophy

Bright Director and Award Judge Arabella Stein said: ‘I am thrilled with Sophy’s win – Pizazz is a wonderful example of illustrations and words coming together to tell a brilliant story. This book has everything needed to entice young readers into wanting to read more, and deserves to be celebrated. A huge congratulations to Sophy, and all the team at Simon & Schuster Children’s’.

Best-selling author Smriti Halls joined Adam Stower and Arabella Stein on the 2021 judging panel. Watch below for her thoughts on the award:

Videos of special readings and activities by the shortlisted authors and illustrators were released on Twitter and can be viewed on the Alligator’s Mouth Youtube channel.

Sophy Henn reading an extract from Pizzaz.

Keep up to date with the awards by visiting The Alligator’s Mouth Award Website and following #AlligatorsAward on Twitter.