Release date: 7 March 2024
The overwhelming winner, voted for by 42 primary schools across West Sussex, is The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, written by Chloe Savage.
The winning story is an intriguing look at exploration in the most extreme places on Earth, led by a female scientist. The adventure is fictional, with lots of pantomime moments whilst looking for the elusive Giant Arctic Jellyfish. The information about exploration and the preparations required when living in close quarters on a ship contain lots of tiny details of daily life at sea. It is an example of fact and fiction blended together perfectly with broad appeal for 5-11 year olds.
Winning author, Chloe Savage, said: "I am absolutely delighted that The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish has won the Books to Shout About! Award 2023/24. Being voted for by the children makes this even more precious to me, thank you so much."
The headteacher at a participating primary school said: “The children of Jaguars Class absolutely loved the opportunity to fully explore all the picture book stories and themes.
“A real highlight was the virtual author and illustrator events which really enabled the children to find out about the authors' motivations and the illustrators' styles; they loved meeting them in person.
“The enthusiasm for the whole process led us to choose one of the books for our whole school book week with all our children involved in cross curricular work linked to the book. The Picture Books to Shout About! Awards has truly impacted on our children's love of books and reading.”
Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said: “It’s always wonderful to see children of all ages enjoying reading, particularly when it supports learning in other subjects.
“Congratulations to Chloe Savage for winning the award and for producing a fantastic, engaging book. This award, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, provides thousands of children across West Sussex with an opportunity to discover, share and celebrate a diverse range of picture books, inspiring a lifelong love of reading.”
The other books shortlisted were:
- Ray, by Alex Latimer
- Five Bears, by Catherine Rayner
- Home for Grace, by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean
All the shortlisted titles, including the winner, are available to borrow from your local library. For more information about the book awards and services provided by the West Sussex Schools Library Service email sls@westsussex.gov.uk or telephone 01903 704828.
The schools that participated were:
| Arunside Primary School | Kingsham Primary School | Slindon CE Primary School |
| Ashington CE Primary School | Langley Green Primary School | Shipley CE Primary School |
| Barnham Primary School | Lindfield Primary Academy | Springfield Infant School and Nursery |
| Bartons Primary School | Littlegreen Academy | Summerlea Community Primary School |
| Bramber Primary School | London Meed Primary School | Thomas a Becket Junior School |
| Castlewood Primary School | Lyndhurst Infant School | Three Bridges Primary School |
| Crawley Down School | Milton Mount Primary School | Upper Beeding Primary School |
| Downview Primary School | Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School | Westbourne Primary School |
| Durrington Infant School | Parklands Community Primary School | West Chiltington Community School |
| Durrington Junior School | Rake Primary School | Windmills Junior School. |
| East Preston Infants School | Rudgwick Primary School | |
| Eastergate CE Primary School | St Joseph's Infant School | |
| Funtington Primary School | St Joseph's CE Junior School | |
| The Glebe Primary School | St Philip's Catholic Primary School | |
| Heron Way Primary School | St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School | |
| Holbrook Primary School | Shelley Primary School |
