About the Hampshire Illustrated Book Award

The Hampshire Illustrated Book Award is an annual award for picture books for older readers

All primary schools subscribing to the School Library Service can apply to take part

The judges are Year 5 pupils in participating schools.

The shortlist of 6 books is announced to co-ordinators in the summer term and judging takes place in the autumn. The books are are chosen for their potential both to stimulate discussion and to introduce children to new and exciting ways of working in Art and Music lessons. Visual literacy notes are provided for schools taking part in the award, to help them exploit the titles to the full. Notes from previous years are available for download in the subscriber area of the website.

Aims of the award

• To promote the enjoyment of reading
• To develop children's visual literacy skills
• To develop pupils' critical ability, using listening and speaking skills
• To draw attention to the genre of picture books for older readers
• To promote pupil use of the public library

2012 Shortlist

• Happiness is a Watermelon on your Head by Stella Dreis

• Three by the Sea by Mini Grey

• Marshall Armstrong is New to our School by David Mackintosh WINNER

• Major Glad, Major Dizzy by Jan Oke

• Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

• Iggy Wilder, Great Lost Dog Adventure by Marcia Williams

Previous winners

• 2012 - Marshall Armstrong is New to our School by David Mackintosh
• 2011 - The Santa Trap by Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene
• 2010 - Tortoise vs Hare: the rematch by Preston Rutt and Ben Redlich
• 2009 - Don't read this book! by Jill Lewis and Deborah Allwright
• 2008 - Scoop! An exclusive by Monty Molenski by John Kelly and Cathy Tincknell
• 2007 - Castles by Colin Thompson
• 2006 - The Whisperer by Nick Butterworth
• 2005 - The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
• 2004 - The adventures of a nose - Vivianne Schwarz and Joel Stewart