Derby Picture Book Award Longlist for The Girl who Planted Trees

The Girl who Planted Trees has been longlisted for the Derby Book Festival Children’s Picture Book Award, 2023.

Derby Book Festival say, “We believe it is vitally important for children to read books which reflect themselves, their lives and the world around them. Derby is a diverse city with a significantly higher number of BAME people than the national average (19.7% compared to 14.6%) and the second largest population of D/deaf people in the UK.”

The shortlisted titles will be chosen by teachers and announced at the end of January. Shortlisted books will then be read by Year 2 and 3 children (aged 6-7) in participating schools over the Spring and Summer Terms. Children will then vote for their favourites, to be announced in May.

Awards and festivals of this kind are a fantastic way to support teachers and encourage children to engage in reading for pleasure, giving children a great sense of agency when voting for their favourites.

Derby Book Festival runs from 9-27 May, 2023 and includes 50 events for all ages taking place in 10 venues across the city. Find out more here.