Blue Peter Book Awards closes

The Blue Peter Book Awards have ended following an announcement by Booktrust, which managed the award, that the focus of its work had changed.

In a statement BookTrust said it was sad to announce the end of the prize, which had showcased "some amazing books, authors and illustrators" over the years.  It said the organisation wanted to focus on disadvantaged families in its work, rather than dedicating resources to the awards.  "Our ambition is to bring the benefits of reading to children in the greatest need and to achieve long-lasting impact by establishing reading habits and behaviours. At this time, our limited resources are better focused giving disadvantaged families the opportunity to reap the life-changing benefits of reading."

The news also comes after it was announced that Blue Peter is, together with a number of other BBC children's programmes, being moved into 'digital exile' as an online-only show.  The shift away from television to a digital platform reflects the problems the BBC has had in trying to engage with younger viewers through its television channels. 

The announcement of the closure of the award follows the ending of the Costa Book Prize earlier this  year. There is concern from within the children's book world that the loss of the awards makes it harder to get a national televised platform for children's books.

Blue Peter Book Awards 2022 winners