The Nestlé Children's Book Prize , and Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for a time, was a set of annual awards for British children's books that ran from 1985 to 2007. It was administered by BookTrust , an independent charity that promotes books and reading in the United Kingdom , and sponsored by Nestlé , the manufacturer of Smarties chocolate . It was one of the most respected and prestigious prizes for children's literature.
8-417: There were three award categories defined by audience ages 0 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years (introduced in 1987 after two years with no single prize). Silver and bronze runners-up in each category were introduced in 1996 and designation of one overall winner was abandoned at the same time. Eligible books were written by UK citizens and residents and published during the preceding year (not precisely
16-777: The Branford Boase Award for an outstanding novel for young people by a first-time writer, and continues to chair its panel of judges. At least from 2000 to 2012, she chairs the panel of three children's writers who judge the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize . In 2000 she won the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of "her outstanding contribution to children's books". Eccleshare is currently children's books editor for The Guardian newspaper, and also regularly appears on BBC Radio 4 's Open Book and Front Row programmes. In 2014 she
24-709: The Year from 1985 to 1993. The annual exhibition and annotated list had been established circa 1970 by the National Book League (later renamed Booktrust ) and had missed one year before its 1985 resumption. Eccleshare has also served on many book award panels including the Whitbread Children's Book Award in 2001, and chaired the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize panel from 2001 to its conclusion in 2007. In 2000 she co-founded
32-504: The calendar year). The shortlists were selected by a panel of adult judges, finally chaired by Julia Eccleshare , children's books editor for The Guardian . First, second, and third places were determined by British schoolchildren—at least finally, by vote of "selected school classes" The prize was discontinued in 2008 by what was described as a "mutual" decision from BookTrust and Nestlé, with "no hostility". Explaining their reasons for this decision, BookTrust stated it had "been reviewing
40-432: The last twelve years. Beginning in 1996, the awards included silver and bronze winners rather than a single overall winner. Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare MBE (born 1951) is a British journalist and writer on the subject of children's books . She has been Children's Books editor for The Guardian newspaper for more than ten years, at least from 2000. She is also an editorial contributor and advisor for
48-458: The organisation's priorities and how prizes and awards fit in with its strategic objectives", while Nestlé was "increasingly moving its community support towards the company strategy of nutrition, health and wellness." Additionally, they said that it was a "natural time to conclude" and that they were "confident that increased importance has been placed on children's books." There were 65 winning books in 23 years and 72 silver or bronze runners-up in
56-988: The website Love Reading 4 Kids. She is a recipient of the Eleanor Farjeon Award . Eccleshare was born in Cambridge and grew up in North London , the third of four children of Colin Eccleshare, a publisher with Cambridge University Press , and Liz, a history teacher. Eccleshare was children's book editor of the Times Literary Supplement from 1974 to 1978. She served as non-fiction and picture book editor at Penguin Books children's imprint Puffin Books from 1978 to 1980, and as fiction editor at Hamish Hamilton children's books from 1980 to 1984, before returning to freelance book reviewing. She selected hundreds of books for Children's Books of
64-909: Was appointed Head of Policy and Advocacy for Public Lending Right. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to children's literature. She was an awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt, Hons) by the University of Worcester in 2014. She is married and has four children, and lives in London. Eccleshare covered the Harry Potter series for Continuum (Contemporary classics of children's literature) when four volumes were in print. Following an introduction on "major success in children's books", Enid Blyton and others, she interpreted
#580419