On Thursday 11 July 2024, Redbridge Town Hall was abuzz with excitement as students, teachers, and school librarians gathered for the 21st annual Redbridge Children’s Book Award ceremony.

Redbridge Schools’ Library Service, managed by Vision RCL on behalf of Redbridge Council, organised the Awards where all schools are invited to take part, giving young people across Redbridge an opportunity to enter poetry, short and quiz competitions and to vote for their favourite children and teen books published in the UK in the current year.

This year, the Awards were attended by the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Sheila Bain. Other guests included Cllr Kam Rai, Deputy Leader, and Cllr Namreen Chaudhry, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Communities.

Once the selection and shortlist process has taken place, winners and runners-up are invited to the annual awards ceremony, where students are also given special recognition for their writing ability, plus an opportunity to meet their favourite author in person.

This year the following schools took part and attended the award ceremony:

Secondary Schools:

• Ilford County High School
• The Palmer Academy
• Loxford Secondary
• Seven Kings High School
• Valentines High School
• Wanstead High School
• West Hatch High School
• Woodford County High School

Primary Schools:

• Barley Lane Primary
• Downshall Primary
• Fairlop Primary
• Loxford Primary
• Snaresbrook Primary
• William Torbitt Primary

During the ceremony, illustrator Steve May led a delightful draw-along session, guiding budding artists in drawing his `Bitey Bitey’ character. We were also privileged to have six of the shortlisted authors present, including Rachel Delahaye, Kika Hatzopoulou, Alice Ross, Joel Arcanjo, Ravena Guron, and Alexandra Christo. These authors were warmly welcomed by eager students to get their books signed.

A drumroll, loud cheers, and applause set the stage for the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Redbridge Children’s Book Award:

• Children’s Category: “The Final Year” by Matt Goodfellow
• Teen Category: “Threads that Bind” by Kika Hatzopoulou

The event also recognised winners in various competitions:

Poetry Competition:

• Junior Category: “These are my Streets” by Aya Dehmous (Valentines High School)
• Teenage Category: “No Lamborghinis This Side of Town” by Sarah Ansaf (Woodford County High School)

Short Story Competition:

• Junior Category: “Gaming” by Zayan Khan (Wanstead High School)
• Teenage Category: “Daniel’s Last Supper” by Daniel Niewczasinski-Kirkland (Wanstead High School)

Book Jacket Competition:

• Junior Category: Connie Ruane (Wanstead High School)
• Teenage Category: Maria Lee (Woodford County High School)

Quiz Winners:

• Children’s Section: Snaresbrook Primary
• Teenage Section: Woodford County High

Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder said:

“It is important to keep young people enthusiastic and passionate about books and reading, the Redbridge Book Awards is a unique opportunity to meet their favourite authors.

This event would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of students, librarians, and teachers, as well as the hard work of the Redbridge Schools’ Library Service who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, especially our authors Rachel Delahaye, Kika Hatzopoulou, Alice Ross, Joel Arcanjo, Ravena Guron, and Alexandra Christo, who made the afternoon memorable for the children.”

One student expressed their excitement, stating, “It was super fun – now I want to be an author in the Redbridge Book Awards.” Another student added, “It was really cool being able to meet the authors.”