There really must be something about children’s books that turns even quite pc journalists somewhat less pc. And I don’t think it’s all right.
Congratulations to Francesca Simon and Horrid Henry for winning the Children’s Book of the Year in the Galaxy British Book Awards this week. Unfortunately the Guardian seemed to think that Horrid Henry’s only achievement was beating Katie Price’s Perfect Ponies. It’s time for grown-ups to stop sneering at Henry as though the Horrid Henry books aren’t real books. Henry is lovely. The books about him are real, and fun.
And Henry’s older pal Harry Potter did well, too. Again, no reason why he shouldn’t. You can be too cool and literary when commenting on children’s books. Or did I already say that?
9 responses so far ↓
Michael Bush // April 12, 2008 at 10:27
The Katie Price thing was always going to over-shadow everything else at this years awards, at least in terms of media coverage. I shouldn’t wonder that’s why they were so keen to have her turn up. What worries me is that there were more than a few of ‘that sort’ there this year; I’ve seen Geri Halliwell sniffing about in the back of some of the photos, and she has her own series on the way. Bleak. I do worry that there’s going to come a time when even publishing a children’s book is going to rely on having been a pop star/glamour model/Big Brother contestant.
Sara O'Leary // April 12, 2008 at 12:20
I somehow have missed out on Horrid Henry, but will have to get myself caught up.
moominmamma // April 12, 2008 at 13:03
Absolutely, Horrid Henry is a worthy winner. And while the fuss about Jordan’s pony book focused on whether it should have been short-listed because it was ghost-written, everyone seems to have overlooked the fact that it was good to have a non-fiction book shortlisted. Children’s non-fiction is a largely ignored and under-rated genre, even though children (boys especially) read more non-fiction than fiction.
bookwitch // April 12, 2008 at 15:58
Glad to see Henry has fans. Well, he must have, or he wouldn’t sell so well.
Francesca Simon // April 12, 2008 at 20:04
Thanks, bookwitch! I was completely thrilled to win: it’s my first ever national book prize. I guess I won’t have to write Horrid Henry’s Horrid Horse next….
bookwitch // April 12, 2008 at 20:16
Francesca, I think a horse for Henry sounds like just what he needs. Go for it.
I thought you were awash with awards and stuff, but if not, it was time for you to win, I’d say.
Francesca Simon // April 12, 2008 at 20:31
Bookwitch, I was a bridesmaid last year at the Nibbies, but otherwise have never been shortlisted for anything. I think people assume I must have won lots of awards, but not true! My trophy shelf was empty til now; not even a prize for being best tidy monitor.
Candy // April 13, 2008 at 0:45
hear, hear for horrid henry! a prize well deserved.
Sally // April 13, 2008 at 10:33
Yay for a six-to-eight book winning, I say. It’s very difficult for books for this age group to win anything, especially now the Smarties Prize is going.
I don’t have a problem with Perfect Ponies being shortlisted if it was a good book. But I certainly don’t think the prize should have gone to Katie Price if she didn’t write a word of it. It should have gone to the poor, hardworking ghostwriter who actually put in the effort to write an award-shortlisted book. If a publisher had commissioned a non-fiction book and paid a freelancer to write it, the freelancer would have won the prize. Why should this be any different because it was commissioned by a celebraty?
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