Favourite characters star in Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards shortlist

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Where’s Wally? and Star Wars line-up in 2019 nominations.

The shortlist has been revealed for the 2019 Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards, with a number of licensed names making the listing.

This marks the third year that Sainsbury’s Argos has partnered with reading charity BookTrust for the awards, and the sixth year for the awards in total.

There are 15 nominated titles across five categories: Baby & Toddler, Picture Books, Fiction, Learning & Development and Favourite Characters.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday August 28, alongside the Sainsbury’s Children’s Classic award, which went to The Tiger Who Came to Tea by the late Judith Kerr in 2018.

Licensed names making the shortlist include Oi Frog! Mix and Match (Hodder Children’s Books) in the Baby & Toddler category.

Meanwhile, the Favourite Characters category will be contested by We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Let’s Discover Baby Animals and Where’s Wally? Exciting Expeditions – both from Walker Books – and Where’s the Wookie 2 from Egmont Publishing.

“2019 has seen the highest volume of nominations to date and the quality and breadth of titles continues to increase year on year,” said Danika Cave, books buyer for Sainsbury’s. “I feel very passionately about the important of children’s literature and its ability to inspire and engage our youngest customers.”

Jill Coleman, director of children’s books at BookTrust, added: “Sainsbury’s shares our passion for brilliant books which excite and inspire a diverse range of children to read for the joy of it.

“This year, we have had more nominations than ever; the shortlist is fantastic and it’s going to be a very tough job to pick the winners.”

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