The London Radical Bookfair: This year the event will take place on Saturday May 7th at Goldsmith’s University. This is a free public event organised by the Alliance of Radical Booksellers (ARB) [see links below].
Double
Hat-Trick on 2016 Little Rebels Award Shortlist!
Two
authors have scored a hat-trick on this year’s shortlist for the 2016 Little Rebels Children’s Book Award for Radical Children’s Fiction. The
shortlist of six books includes an anarchic appraisal of Gove’s education
policies, the dramatic rescue of an indie bookshop and existential questions
for the very young. Authors Gill Lewis and John Boyne both appear for the 3rd
time. Bloomsbury has scored twice on the list.
The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award is now in its 4th
year. The shortlisted 2016 titles (for books published in 2015) include 3
chapter books/fiction and 3 picture books; these are:
è Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed
by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Neal Layton (Bloomsbury Books); an anarchic story which shames many aspects of
contemporary culture but, in particular, the government’s current education
ideology.
è Gorilla Dawn by Gill Lewis
(Oxford University Press); a novel set in the Democratic Republic of Congo which explores how the farming of a
mineral needed for mobile phones is destroying the gorillas' natural habitat;
Lewis’ Moon Bear was shortlisted in
2014 and she was the winner for the Little Rebels Award 2015 with Scarlet Ibis.
è The Boy at the Top of the
Mountain by John Boyne (Doubleday/Penguin Random House UK); the story of
one child’s moral corruption when he goes to stay in Hitler’s holiday house,
the Berghof, in 1935; Boyne was previously shortlisted for The Terrible
Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket in 2013 and Stay Where You Are and Then Leave in
2014.
è I’m a Girl by Yasmeen
Ismail (Bloomsbury Books); a picture book
which blasts gender stereotypes by portraying a girl character whose behaviour
leads to her being called a boy.
è The Little Bookshop
and the Origami Army! by Michael Foreman (Andersen Press); a
community bookshop threatened by big business is saved by Origami Girl and
local action.
è I Am Henry Finch by Alexis
Deacon, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz (Walker Books); a philosophical book for the very young, addressing
individualism, bravery and finding your way.
The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award recognises fiction
for ages 0-12 which promotes or celebrates social justice and equality. It is run
by specialist children’s booksellers, Letterbox Library and is awarded by the
Alliance of Radical Booksellers (ARB). The judges, Kim Reynolds (Professor of
Children’s Lit. Newcastle
University
Kerry
Mason, Co-Director of Letterbox Library, said of this year’s submissions: “This
was the first year that the shortlisters felt overwhelmed by choices. It seems
there is a taste right now for children’s books with a message, particularly
where that message is communicated in an imaginative and original way. This
year’s shortlist pokes fun at our institutions, brings corporate powers to
their knees and ponders vast questions such as ‘who am I?’ through the smallest
of finches”.
Speaking about the award, Little Rebels judge, Kim Reynolds,
said, “This prize identifies well-informed and high-quality books that can help
children understand that the way the world is currently organised is not
inevitable and that even the youngest members of society can help to change it”
(in Books for Keeps May 2015).
The
winner of the Little Rebels Award will again be announced at The London Radical
Bookfair. This year the event will take place on Saturday May 7th at
Goldsmith’s University. This is a free public event organised by the Alliance
of Radical Booksellers (ARB). The Little Rebels winner will be announced
alongside the ARB’s sister adult award, the Bread & Roses Award for Radical
Publishing. ***ENDS***
Contact:
Fen Coles
Letterbox Library
Unit 151 Stratford
Tel: 020 8534 7502
Twitter: @LetterboxLib
Further Information
About Letterbox Library
Letterbox Library is a 33-year-old, not-for-profit,
children’s booksellers and social enterprise. They specialise in children’s
books which celebrate diversity, equality & inclusion. Further information
can be found at www.letterboxlibrary.com
They run the Little Rebels Award on behalf of the ARB (below).
About the Alliance
The ARB is a supportive community for the UK
About the Little Rebels Children’s Book Award
Full details of the award, including the shortlist and
prize giving ceremony for previous years, can be found at: www.littlerebelsaward.wordpress.com.
About the London
Hosted by the ARB, this fair was run for the first
time in May 2013. Previous venues have included the Bishopsgate Institute. Full
details at: www.londonradicalbookfair.wordpress.com.
Significant dates
The winner of both the Little Rebels and the Bread
& Roses Awards will be announced at the ARB’s London Radical Bookfair on
Saturday May 7th 2016.
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| Letter reproduced in: Librarians for Social Change newsletter No.6, 1970s (Some things do change...) |
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| A young critic, 1970s |
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