Glasgow author features in 2021 Bookbug Picture Book Prize

Now in its fifth year, the shortlist includes former Shawlands Primary School pupil Ross Collins.

The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators and to encourage reading for pleasure. The winner is chosen by thousands of children across the country who can cast their votes online either at school with their teacher or at home with their families, via the Scottish Book Trust website.

The winner of the Bookbug Picture Book Prize will be announced in an exclusive video to all registered groups on Thursday 4 March 2021 (World Book Day). The winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and £2,000 while shortlisted authors and illustrators receive £500 per book.

The Bookbug Picture Book Prize 2021 shortlist is:

∙ Brenda is a Sheep by Morag Hood (Two Hoots)

∙ This is a Dog by Ross Collins (Nosy Crow)

∙ My First Book of Birds illustrated by Zoë Ingram (Walker Books)

62,000 pupils across Scotland will receive a free copy of each of the three books on the shortlist, which are given to every Primary 1 child during Book Week Scotland (16 November – 22 November), in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s always a delight to see familiar faces on the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, which was established to celebrate the work of great authors and illustrators in Scotland. We hope families across the country will enjoy reading these books together, and vote for the one they enjoy most.”

Alan Bett, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: “The Bookbug Picture Book Prize promotes reading for enjoyment and engages young readers, not only through a fantastic shortlist of titles, but also by empowering them with the decision to choose the winner. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators.”

The deadline for voting is Friday 5 February at 5pm.