We were very lucky to have award-winning picture book author Lu Fraser as both main speaker and adjudicator for our March competition:
In no more than four spreads of a picture book (less than 250 words) write something that comes from your heart.
Announcing her decision Lu said: “Thank you so much for the opportunity to adjudicate the March HWS PB competition. Absolutely fascinating to see what everyone is working on! I changed my mind about 1st and 2nd place several times, but have finally landed… here:
First place: To the Moon by Bucket and Spoon by Anne Wan
Such a good opening spread! Very engaging with some lovely gentle humour and great illustration opportunities, too. Excellent set up of page breaks and I really like the use of questions to draw the reader in. Prose has a lovely, lyrical rhythm and I wanted to know what happened next when I reached the last spread.
Second place: The Red Button by Summer Quigley
Such a close 2nd place and such an original idea! I love this approach of normalising something that, despite being commonplace these days, may still appear confusing or scary to a child. It’s a lovely bridge between the generations, too, and an inventive way for them to communicate. Good rollicking pace and rhythm and some nice page breaks – the kind of tale an illustrator could have fun with!
Third Place: Me without You by Kate Abernethy
Beginnings of a lovely concept here and I really like the simplicity and heartfelt tone – great, clean rhyming and read-along repetition, too. With the right illustrator, this could be very powerful and I can imagine siblings enjoying it hugely.”
First Place: To the Moon by Bucket and Spoon by Anne Wan
- [Illustration: portrait gallery of Otto’s family achievements.]
Otto’s family were famous explorers.
His sister had crossed the Arctic on a unicycle.
His Mum had sailed the ocean in an umbrella.
And Grandpa had hopped up Mount Everest on a kangaroo!
Otto wanted to be an explorer too, but where should he go? - [Illustration: Otto is playing in a sand pit with his bucket and wooden spoon.]
The mountains…
The seas…
The snow…
It had all been done!
He looked at his toys. He looked at the moon…
and had an idea. He’d go … - … to the moon by bucket and spoon!
He was ready to launch when,
“Stop!”
“What’s wrong?” asked Grandpa.
Otto hugged his teddy.
“I’m scared! I’m not brave like you.”
Grandpa laughed. “I often feel scared. It’s what you choose to do that makes you brave. Give up, or go for it?” He patted Otto’s shoulder. “I find it helps to take a deep breath first.”
Otto squeezed teddy, took a deep breath and… - …launched!
WHOOSH!
“Wow!”
This isn’t so scary, he thought, paddling through space. When suddenly, into his path swam a bloom of…
Second Place: The Red Button by Summer Quigley
Spread 1
[Ill. notes: Granny wears an emergency call button on a string around her neck in case she falls.]
My Granny is old and she lives by herself
I love to go visit, share books from her shelf.
She wears a red button, it hangs from a string
This button is such an intriguing small thing.
Spread 2
“Don’t press the red button,” my Granny would say…
“The monsters will come from the forests to play.
“They’ll steal all our cakes, and our chocolates ‘n’ all,
“They’ll rip out the pages of books big and small.”
Spread 3
I laughed and said: “Granny you’re silly, it’s true,
“It doesn’t call monsters, but what does it do?”
Dear Granny would grin and just give a sly wink
and speak of the dragon with wings black as ink.
“He’ll come to the village to seek out nice treats…
Spread 4
“Like little plump children who smell just like sweets.
“So don’t press the button, I need you right here…
“To stop, Red-Cross Rose, who’s a wild buccaneer…
Third Place: Me Without You by Kate Abernethy
Spread 1
[A big sister is going to school for the first time. The younger brother – the narrator – looks sad as he gives her a homemade good luck card. It has glitter on it.]
Me without you is like
Glitter without glue,
There’s no sparkle or Ooooh
When I’m unstuck from you.
[The little brother, now home without his sister draws sad looking pictures in a blue colour of a ghost, a cow etc]
I’m a ghost with no boo,
A cow with no moo,
Oh, I’m ever so blue,
When it’s me without you.
Spread 2
[A grown up is trying to get the little brother ready to leave the house for an outing, but he’s in a muddle – can’t find a sock. There could be a clock in the background, and we also see the front door with the keys hanging nearby. We see evidence of big sister’s absence, such as her empty coat peg at the door.]
It’s like missing a sock,
I’m a tick with no tock,
I’m a key with no lock
When I do not have you.
[In the park, the little brother trips on his laces, and is now even more upset.]
I’m a shoe with no lace,
I’m all over the place
And fall flat on my face,
For I really need you.
Spread 3
[The little brother stands at the school gates as his big sister comes out. He has scuffed knees and is scowling. Dark clouds fill the sky.]
We’re like thunder and lightning…
[A thunderstorm breaks out. The big sister holds out an umbrella and huddles under it with her little brother. He looks frightened, but she has her arm around him.]
RUMBLE
With you life’s less frightening
And the skies,
they are brightening.
I am glad I have you.
Spread 4
[Now back at home, having got soaked in the storm, the brother and sister have a warm bubble bath together.]
We’re the most perfect pair,
Just like shampoo and hair,
We have something that’s rare,
I love being with you.
[It’s bedtime, and the brother and sister are curled up together.]
So wherever we go,
Though we’ll change and we’ll grow,
I just want you to know
In my heart there is you.
It was then that an opportunity not to be missed came his way – the chance to work with his cousin. The Insect Detective, a non-fiction children’s book was produced.