Nestlé Smarties Book Prize facts for kids

The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, also known as the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for a while, was a famous award for British children's books. It happened every year from 1985 to 2007. This prize was a big deal and very respected in the world of children's books.

The award was managed by Booktrust, which is a charity that helps people in the United Kingdom read more. It was sponsored by Nestlé, the company that makes Smarties candy.

About the Prize

The Nestlé Children's Book Prize celebrated the best books for young readers. It was one of the most important awards for children's literature in the UK.

How Books Were Chosen

The prize had different groups, or "categories," for books based on the age of the readers.

• There was a group for kids aged 0 to 5 years old.
• Another group was for children aged 6 to 8 years old.
• And a third group was for kids aged 9 to 11 years old. This group was added in 1987.

At first, there was one overall winner. But from 1996 onwards, they started giving out Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in each age group. This meant more books and authors were celebrated!

Who Decided the Winners?

Only books written by people living in the UK could enter the prize. First, a group of adult judges picked a shortlist of books. This panel was led by Julia Eccleshare, who was a children's books editor for The Guardian newspaper. Then, the really cool part happened: British schoolchildren got to vote! Selected classes from schools across the country chose the first, second, and third place winners.

Why the Prize Ended

The Nestlé Children's Book Prize stopped in 2008. Both Booktrust and Nestlé agreed on this decision, and there was no bad feeling between them. Booktrust explained that they were looking at their main goals and how awards fit into them. Nestlé said they wanted to focus more on helping communities with nutrition, health, and wellness. They both felt it was a good time to end the prize. They were also confident that children's books were becoming more important than ever.

Winners of the Prize

Over 23 years, 65 books won Gold awards. Also, 72 books won Silver or Bronze awards in the last twelve years of the prize.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Winners (1996–2007)

2007

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Shadow Forest by Matt Haig
• 6–8 years: Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
• 0–5 years: When a Monster is Born by Sean Taylor and Nick Sharratt

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Catcall by Linda Newbery
• 6–8 years: Ivan the Terrible by Anne Fine
• 0–5 years: Penguin by Polly Dunbar

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve
• 6–8 years: Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears by Emily Gravett
• 0–5 years: Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beastie by Joel Stewart

2006

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
• 6–8 years: Mouse Noses on Toast by Daren King
• 0–5 years: That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown by Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: The Tide Knot by Helen Dunmore
• 6–8 years: Hugo Pepper by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
• 0–5 years: The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Pig Who Saved the World by Paul Shipton
• 6–8 years: The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon by Mini Grey
• 0–5 years: Wibbly Pig's Silly Big Bear by Mick Inkpen

2005

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: I, Coriander by Sally Gardner
• 6–8 years: The Whisperer by Nick Butterworth
• 0–5 years: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: The Scarecrow and his Servant by Philip Pullman
• 6–8 years: Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
• 0–5 years: The Dancing Tiger by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Whispering Road by Livi Michael
• 6–8 years: Corby Flood by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
• 0–5 years: Wolves by Emily Gravett

2004

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Spilled Water by Sally Grindley
• 6–8 years: Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
• 0–5 years: Biscuit Bear by Mini Grey

4Children Special Award: Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (chosen by after-school clubs)

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
• 6–8 years: Cloud Busting by Malorie Blackman
• 0–5 years: My Big Brother Boris by Liz Pichon

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: Keeper by Mal Peet
• 6–8 years: Smile! By Geraldine McCaughrean
• 0–5 years: Bartholomew and the Bug by Neal Layton

2003

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: The Fire-Eaters by David Almond
• 6–8 years: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said, illustrated by Dave McKean
• 0–5 years: The Witch's Children and the Queen by Ursula Jones, illustrated by Russell Ayto

Kids' Club Award: The Countess's Calamity by Sally Gardner

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Montmorency Series by Eleanor Updale
• 6–8 years: The Last Castaways by Harry Horse
• 0–5 years: Tadpole's Promise by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Tony Ross

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Various by Steve Augarde
• 6–8 years: The Countess's Calamity by Sally Gardner
• 0–5 years: Two Frogs by Chris Wormell

2002

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
• 6–8 years: That Pesky Rat by Lauren Child
• 0–5 years: Jazzy in the Jungle by Lucy Cousins

Kids' Club Network Special Award: That Pesky Rat by Lauren Child

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Cold Tom by Sally Prue
• 6–8 years: Pirate Diary by Richard Platt, illustrated by Chris Riddell
• 0–5 years: Pizza Kittens by Charlotte Voake

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
• 6–8 years: The Last Wolf by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman
• 0–5 years: Oscar and Arabella by Neal Layton

2001

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
• 6–8 years: The Shrimp by Emily Smith, illustrated by Wendy Smith
• 0–5 years: Chimp and Zee by Catherine and Laurence Anholt

Kids' Club Network Special Award: What Planet Are You From Clarice Bean? by Lauren Child

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding
• 6–8 years: Ug by Raymond Briggs
• 0–5 years: Kipper's A to Z by Mick Inkpen

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean
• 6–8 years: What Planet Are You From Clarice Bean? by Lauren Child
• 0–5 years: Five Little Friends by Sarah Dyer

2000

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: The Wind Singer by William Nicholson
• 6–8 years: Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
• 0–5 years: Max by Bob Graham

Kids' Club Network Special Award: Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo
• 6–8 years: The Red and White Spotted Handkerchief by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Peter Bailey
• 0–5 years: Me and My Cat? by Satoshi Kitamura

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland
• 6–8 years: Beware of the Storybook Wolves by Lauren Child
• 0–5 years: Husherbye by John Burningham

1999

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
• 6–8 years: Snow White and the Seven Aliens by Laurence Anholt, illustrated by Arthur Robins
• 0–5 years: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Kit's Wilderness by David Almond
• 6–8 years: Astrid, the Au Pair from Outer Space by Emily Smith, illustrated by Tim Archbold
• 0–5 years: Buffy - An Adventure Story by Bob Graham

Bronze Awards

• 6–8 years: Clarice Bean That's Me by Lauren Child
• 0–5 years: I Wish I Were a Dog by Lydia Monks

1998

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
• 6–8 years: Last of the Gold Diggers by Harry Horse
• 0–5 years: Cowboy Baby by Sue Heap

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Aquila by Andrew Norriss
• 6–8 years: The Runner by Keith Gray
• 0–5 years: Come On Daisy by Jane Simmons

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: The Crowstarver by Dick King-Smith
• 6–8 years: The Green Ship by Quentin Blake
• 0–5 years: Secret in the Mist by Margaret Nash

1997

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling
• 6–8 years: The Owl Tree by Jenny Nimmo, illustrated by Anthony Lewis
• 0–5 years: Ginger by Charlotte Voake

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Clockwork or All Wound Up by Philip Pullman
• 6–8 years: The Little Reindeer by Michael Foreman
• 0–5 years: Leon and Bob by Simon James

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: Fire, Bed, and Bone by Henrietta Branford
• 6–8 years: We Animals Would Like a Word With You by John Agard, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
• 0–5 years: Fruits by Valerie Bloom, illustrated by David Axtell

1996

Gold Awards

• 9–11 years: The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Nick Harris
• 6–8 years: The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Christian Birmingham
• 0–5 years: Oops! by Colin McNaughton

Silver Awards

• 9–11 years: Johnny and the Bomb by Terry Pratchett
• 6–8 years: Harry the Poisonous Centipede by Lynne Reid Banks, illustrated by Tony Ross
• 0–5 years: The World is Full of Babies by Mick Manning and Brita Granström

Bronze Awards

• 9–11 years: Plundering Paradise by Geraldine McCaughrean
• 6–8 years: All Because of Jackson by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by John Eastwood
• 0–5 years: Clown by Quentin Blake

Overall Winners (1985–1995)

Before 1996, the prize chose one overall winner each year.

1995

Overall Winner: Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson

• 9–11 years and Overall: Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson (Joint Winner)
• 9–11 years: Weather Eye by Lesley Howarth (Joint Winner)
• 6–8 years: Thomas and the Tinners by Jill Paton Walsh
• 0–5 years: The Last Noo-Noo by Jill Murphy

1994

Overall Winner: The Exiles at Home by Hilary McKay

• 9–11 years and Overall: The Exiles at Home by Hilary McKay
• 6–8 years: Dimanche Diller by Henrietta Branford, illustrated by Lesley Harker
• 0–5 years: So Much by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

1993

Overall Winner: War Game by Michael Foreman

• 9–11 years: Listen to the Dark by Maeve Henry
• 6–8 years and Overall: War Game by Michael Foreman
• 0–5 years: Hue Boy by Rita Phillips Mitchell

1992

Overall Winner: The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross

• 9–11 years and Overall: The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross
• 6–8 years: The Story of the Creation by Jane Ray
• 0–5 years: Nice Work, Little Wolf by Hilda Offen

1991

Overall Winner: Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury

• 9–11 years: Krindlekrax by Philip Ridley
• 6–8 years: Josie Smith and Eileen by Magdalen Nabb
• 0–5 years and Overall: Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury

1990

Overall Winner: Midnight Blue by Pauline Fisk

• 9–11 years and Overall: Midnight Blue by Pauline Fisk
• 6–8 years: Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
• 0–5 years: Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore

1989

Overall Winner: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

• 9–11 years: Blitzcat by Robert Westall
• 6–8 years: Bill's New Frock by Anne Fine, illustrated by Philippe Dupasquier
• 0–5 years and Overall: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

1988

Overall Winner: Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

• 9–11 years: Rushavenn Time by Theresa Whistler
• 6–8 years: Can it be True? by Susan Hill
• 0–5 years and Overall: Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

1987

Overall Winner: A Thief in the Village by James Berry

• 9–11 years and Overall: A Thief in the Village by James Berry
• 6–8 years: Tangle and the Firesticks by Benedict Blathwayt
• 0–5 years: The Angel and the Soldier Boy by Peter Collington

1986

Overall Winner: The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo

1985

Overall Winner: Gaffer Samson's Luck by Jill Paton Walsh