Screenwriter David Solomons has won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2016 for his debut children’s novel My Brother Is A Superhero.
David is the screenwriter behind Edith Nesbit adaptation Five Children And It (2004), which stars Eddie Izzard and Sir Kenneth Branagh, and Not Another Happy Ending (2013), which stars Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan.
My Brother Is A Superhero tells the story of a comic book-obsessed boy called Luke who is fed up when his older brother Zack is given powers by an alien to help save the universe. But when Zack is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, he must put aside his jealousy and help save the world.
David Solomons (Nosy Crow/PA)
The novel has won the best younger fiction category as well as the overall prize, which was chosen from the three category winners.
David Litchfield won the best illustrated book category with The Bear And The Piano, a story of a bear who teaches himself to play the piano and becomes a huge star in the human world but realises his heart lies in the forest with his real animal friends.
Yes I did just buy my own book from @Waterstones so I could have one with the sticker on it :D #wcbp16 pic.twitter.com/Pj6YzpYWDk
— David Litchfield (@dc_litchfield) February 15, 2016
Bear with me while I sign this book… @Hatchards #WCBP16 @dc_litchfield pic.twitter.com/HAIUJE0x3I
— Quarto Kids (@QuartoKids) March 17, 2016
The winner of the best older fiction category is Lisa Williamson, whose novel The Art Of Being Normal puts LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) issues at the fore as it follows two teenagers struggling to come to terms with who they are.
Lisa was inspired to write the book after working at the Gender Identity Development Service, which helps young people struggling with their gender identity.
Stupidly delighted THE ART OF BEING NORMAL is on the #WCBP16 shortlist. With some of my buddies too! And my own gif! pic.twitter.com/znUotbQzBQ
— Lisa Williamson (@lisa_letters) February 11, 2016
Ahead of the awards ceremony Lisa posted a picture on Instagram with the caption “All dressed up for the #WCBP16 ceremony. I’m a bit excited. Can you tell?”
The awards were announced by Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell at a ceremony at Waterstones in Piccadilly, London.
For the second year in a row, the winners of all three categories are debut children’s books. Last year’s winner was Rob Biddulph’s Blown Away.
The prize, which champions new and emerging talent in children’s writing, is voted for solely by booksellers.
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