Winner of the Secondary Award

We are pleased to announce that the winner of the Secondary Award for the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2017 is Hot Pot and Co by Isabel (age 12) from Francis Holland School, and there are two Runners-Up. You can download the winning picture book, below.

Judge Neal Layton said of Hot-Pot & Co: "A real page turner which didn't lose pace, and with a nice twist at the end with a celebrity cameo! All the illustrations had a nice quality of line and a joyous bounce to them, with at times reminiscent of picture books classics by the Ahlbergs, and Nick Butterworth. Well done Isabel!" Francis Holland School will receive 50 printed copies of Isabel's picture book, Hot-Pot & Co, together with a set of ten books for their school library. We are also delighted to announce the Runners-Up in this category, as follows: Runner-Up: The Other Side of the World by Saffie (age 13) from Stratford Girls' Grammar School, Stratford Upon Avon Judge Neal Layton said, "A lovely autobiographical story, which really gave the flavour of Japan, and of being in a different culture. It has also has very clever compositions, which again echo Japanese art, and I loved the poignant and heartfelt ending." Runner-Up: The Adventures of the Bitter Beck Otters By Elouise, Isabella and Claire Rodgers, students at Cockermouth School, Cumbria Judge Neal Layton said, "The creators of this book have obviously researched Otters very thoroughly and woven them into a moving story of a family forced to leave their home, which kept me guessing right up to the ending. Lots of thought went into the individual family members characters too." The full Secondary Award Shortlist is as follows: George Sees the Sea By Esther and Becky (12,13) Wheatley Park School, Oxford Billy McDilly By Zoe (14) Saint Cecilia's C of E School, London Identical By Becky Broyd (14) Saint Cecilia's C of E School, London The Pet Shop By Luke and Adam (13,12) Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton Hot-Pot & Co By Isabel (12) Francis Holland School, London The Other Side of the World By Saffie (13) Stratford Girls' Grammar School, Stratford Upon Avon Space Hog By Emily and Rosie (12, 13) Cockermouth School, Cumbria The Adventures of the Bitter Beck Otters (12, 13) By Eloise, Isabella and Clare Cockermouth School, Cumbria Peter, Pog and the Pencil By Nathan (15) Home schooled Follow Your Heart By Sarah (12) Wreake Valley Academy, Syston