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Nestlé Smarties Book Prize facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, and Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for a time, was a set of annual awards for British children's books that ran from 1985 to 2007. It was administered by Booktrust, an independent charity that promotes books and reading in the United Kingdom, and sponsored by Nestlé, the manufacturer of Smarties candy. It was one of the most respected and prestigious prizes for children's literature.

There were three award categories defined by audience ages 0 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years (introduced in 1987 after two years with no single prize). Silver and bronze runners-up in each category were introduced in 1996 and designation of one overall winner was abandoned at the same time

Eligible books were written by UK citizens and residents The shortlists were selected by a panel of adult judges, finally chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children's books editor for The Guardian. First, second, and third places were determined by British schoolchildren—at least finally, by vote of "selected school classes"

The prize was discontinued in 2008 by what was described as a "mutual" decision from Booktrust and Nestlé, with "no hostility". Explaining their reasons for this decision, Booktrust stated it had "been reviewing the organisation's priorities and how prizes and awards fit in with its strategic objectives", while Nestlé was "increasingly moving its community support towards the company strategy of nutrition, health and wellness." Additionally, they said that it was a "natural time to conclude" and that were "confident that increased importance has been placed on children's books."

Winners

There were 65 winning books in 23 years and 72 silver or bronze runners-up in the last twelve years.

1996–2007 with silver and bronze runners up

2007

Gold Awards

Silver
Bronze
2006

Gold Awards

Silver
Bronze
2005

Gold Awards

Silver
Bronze
2004

Gold Awards

4Children Special Award: Fergus Crane by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (Doubleday) – selected by after school clubs

Silver
Bronze
2003

Gold Awards

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

Silver
Bronze
2002

Gold Awards

Kids' Club Network Special Award: That Pesky Rat by Lauren Child (Orchard Books)

Silver
Bronze
2001

Gold Awards

  • 9–11 years: Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (Macmillan)
  • 6–8 years: The Shrimp by Emily Smith (Young Corgi), illus. Wendy Smith
  • 0–5 years: Chimp and Zee by Catherine and Laurence Anholt (Frances Lincoln)

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

Silver
  • 9–11 years: The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding (Scholastic)
  • 6–8 years: Ug by Raymond Briggs (by Cape)
  • 0–5 years: Kipper's A to Z by Mick Inkpen (Hodder)
Bronze
  • 9–11 years: The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean (Oxford University Press)
  • 6–8 years: What Planet Are You From Clarice Bean? by Lauren Child (Orchard Books)
  • 0–5 years: Five Little Friends by Sarah Dyer (Bloomsbury Publishing)
2000

Gold Awards

Kids' Club Network Special Award: Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson, illus. Nick Sharratt (Young Corgi)

Silver
Bronze
1999

Gold Awards

Silver
  • 9–11 years: Kit's Wilderness by David Almond (Hodder Children's Books)
  • 6–8 years: Astrid, the Au Pair from Outer Space by Emily Smith (Corgi), illus. Tim Archbold
  • 0–5 years: Buffy - An Adventure Story by Bob Graham (Walker Books)
Bronze
1998

Gold Awards

Silver
  • 9–11 years: Aquila by Andrew Norriss (Puffin Books)
  • 6–8 years: The Runner by Keith Gray (Mammoth Books)
  • 0–5 years: Come On Daisy by Jane Simmons (Orchard Books)
Bronze
  • 9–11 years: The Crowstarver by Dick King-Smith (Doubleday)
  • 6–8 years: The Green Ship by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape)
  • 0–5 years: Secret in the Mist by Margaret Nash (David & Charles)
1997

Gold Awards

Silver
Bronze
1996

Gold Awards

Silver
Bronze

1985–1995 with Overall winners

1995

Overall: Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson (Doubleday)

  • 9 – 11 years and Overall: Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson (Doubleday) (Joint Winner)
  • 9 – 11 years: Weather Eye by Lesley Howarth (Penguin) (Joint Winner)
  • 6 – 8 years: Thomas and the Tinners by Jill Paton Walsh (Macdonald Young Books)
  • 0 – 5 years: The Last Noo-Noo by Jill Murphy (Walker Books)
1994

Overall: The Exiles at Home by Hilary McKay (Gollancz)

  • 9 – 11 years and Overall: The Exiles at Home by Hilary McKay (Gollancz)
  • 6 – 8 years: Dimanche Diller by Henrietta Branford, illus. Lesley Harker (Young Lions)
  • 0 – 5 years: So Much by Trish Cooke, illus. Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)
1993

Overall: War Game by Michael Foreman (Pavilion)

  • 9 – 11 years: Listen to the Dark by Maeve Henry (Heinemann)
  • 6 – 8 years and Overall: War Game by Michael Foreman (Pavilion)
  • 0 – 5 years: Hue Boy by Rita Phillips Mitchell (Gollancz)
1992

Overall: The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press)

  • 9 – 11 years and Overall: The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press)
  • 6 – 8 years: The Story of the Creation by Jane Ray (Orchard Books)
  • 0 – 5 years: Nice Work, Little Wolf by Hilda Offen (Hamish Hamilton)
1991

Overall: Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)

  • 9 – 11 years: Krindlekrax by Philip Ridley (Cape)
  • 6 – 8 years: Josie Smith and Eileen by Magdalen Nabb (Collins)
  • 0 – 5 years and Overall: Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)
1990

Overall: Midnight Blue by Pauline Fisk (Lion)

1989

Overall: We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illus. Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)

1988

Overall: Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books)

  • 9 – 11 years: Rushavenn Time by Theresa Whistler (Brixworth Primary School)
  • 6 – 8 years: Can it be True? by Susan Hill (Hamish Hamilton)
  • 0 – 5 years and Overall: Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books)
1987

Overall: A Thief in the Village by James Berry (Hamish Hamilton)

  • 9 – 11 years and Overall: A Thief in the Village by James Berry (Hamish Hamilton)
  • 6 – 8 years: Tangle and the Firesticks by Benedict Blathwayt (Julia MacRae)
  • 0 – 5 years: The Angel and the Soldier Boy by Peter Collington (Methuen)
1986

Overall: The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo (Methuen)

1985

Overall: Gaffer Samson's Luck by Jill Paton Walsh (Kestrel)

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