HRH Princess Beatrice announced the winner of this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize at an awards ceremony in central London yesterday evening. The Prize, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023 and is supported by Amazon and the Evening Standard, chose The Boy With Flowers In His Hair by the accomplished author and illustrator Jarvis as the winner. This stunning book topped the shortlist of six magical stories to take home the £10,000 literary prize.
The Boy With Flowers In His Hair (Walker Books) is a beautiful tale about friendship and being there for someone when they are at their most vulnerable. The Manchester-based author and illustrator has also released several other children’s books, including the counting book This Little Piggy and award winning Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth.
I could not be more delighted to have won this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize, and taking a look around the room and the incredibly talented authors and illustrators also shortlisted, it truly is an honour. I’ve always believed that picture books are a piece of art that everyone can own. This award celebrates the art and joy in children’s books and I am so pleased that my book, which focuses on poignant issues surrounding vulnerability and friendship, has been received so well.
– Jarvis
This year’s shortlist for the Prize included Billy and the Pirates by Nadia Shireen (Penguin Random House Children’s Puffin), Can I Play? by Nicola Kinnear (Alison Green – Scholastic), Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor Ballesteros (Nosy Crow), Teapot Trouble: A Duck and Tiny Horse Adventure by Morag Hood (Two Hoots) and The Gecko and the Echo by Rachel Bright and Jim Field (Hachette Children’s Group – Orchard).
Many of this year’s judging panel joined the award ceremony held at The Ivy, West Street in central London, including author and two-time winner of Oscar’s Book Prize, Benji Davies, acclaimed children’s author, Cressida Cowell, Amazon’s UK Books Country Manager, Lisa De Meyer and the Prize co-founder, Viveka Alvestrand.
I am honoured to be a Patron of Oscar’s Book Prize. As befits this special tenth anniversary for the prize, the judges have chosen a truly unique book that the judges all felt is an instant modern classic. Its values of friendship and acceptance exemplify the very best tropes in picture book storytelling, all told with a gentle immersive world for its readers. It is also, in the Oscar’s Book Prize tradition, beautifully illustrated. Congratulations to Jarvis with his book, The Boy With Flowers in His Hair.
– HRH Princess Beatrice
The award, now in its tenth year, 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.
It is exciting to continue to support Oscar’s Book Prize as it reaches its tenth year. It’s important to be able to engage children with vibrant illustrations and moving stories and Jarvis has done this perfectly with this year’s winning book. We can’t wait to see what else Jarvis has in store!
– Lisa de Meyer, Amazon UK Books Country Manager
