Princess Beatrice hails author Chris Haughton as he is named winner of Oscar’s Book Prize

HRH Princess Beatrice congratulated children’s author Chris Haughton after his “stunning blend” of storytelling and illustration won this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize.

The royal announced his book Maybe… as the winner at a ceremony at the Ivy Club in central London attended by members of the judging panel as well as former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, children’s author Ben Bailey Smith and Prize co-founder Viveka Alvestrand.

She told the audience: “This year’s winning book is a stunning blend of imaginative storytelling with playful illustration. The amount of vibrancy expressed in the story - from characterization to humour - is also a stand-out example of how much power pictures - and relatively few words - have to convey a story.

“I’m proud to be a long-standing patron of Oscar’s Book Prize and have had the privilege of witnessing this award shine a light on so many amazing books over the years.”

Dublin-born Haughton, whose other books include Oh No, George! and A Bit Lost, took home the £10,000 prize, saying: “It’s an honour to be chosen as the winner for this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize, and a privilege to be held in such high regard amongst a shortlist of incredible authors and illustrators, all of whom deserve the award as much as me. This is an award that celebrates and highlights the joy that comes from children’s stories, and one I shall cherish.”

Maybe…, which is published by Walker Books, is described as “a cautionary tale about three little monkeys” and was one of six books shortlisted for the prestigious prize.

The award, now in its ninth year, is supported by Amazon, the National Literacy Trust and the Evening Standard.

It was set up by James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand to celebrate magical stories and encourage parents to take time to share books with their young children. It is named in memory of their son Oscar, who was three-and-a-half when he died from an undiagnosed heart condition in December 2012.

James Ashton, the prize’s chairman and co-founder, said: “Young children need bright and engaging stories to escape into and our judges felt Chris’s work enables that brilliantly. He is a worthy winner of our £10,000 prize and it has been great to celebrate his success at an in-person event once again.”

For more information about the prize and this year’s winning book, please visit www.oscarsbookprize.co.uk and to view the full shortlisted books on Amazon, visitwww.amazon.co.uk/obp22