Recognition in national children's book awards

Exeter Junior School is celebrating recognition in the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards.

Two pupils have either won or achieved runner up in CILIP Kate Greenaway Children's Book Awards competitions.

Year 4 pupil Kate Daybell's certificate design has been selected as a winner of the Carnegie and Greenaway Shadowers' Choice Certificate Design competition. 
And Year 3 pupil Lottie Cumbley is a runner up for the ALCS Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards Shadowing Scheme diary writing competition.

The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway (CKG) Medals are the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards, recognising outstanding writing and illustration in books for children and young people. 

Pupils across the co-educational independent school for 7-18-year-olds have been 'shadowing' the judging process. For the first time ever, the Junior School has been looking at the Kate Greenaway medal shortlist. Exeter Junior School librarians have read, discussed and reviewed the books on the shortlist selected by CILIP's panel of librarian judges and engaged in reading-related activities online such as writing reviews, contributing to a blog and posting interesting facts about the books and authors.

The pupil librarians are looking forward to watching the live stream broadcast of the awards ceremony hosted by Konnie Huq on Tuesday 18 June and witnessing their friend Kate present her certificate to the winner of the Carnegie Shadowers' Choice on stage. To mark the occasion the shadowing group will be undertaking an illustrating workshop throughout the morning, to express their own interpretations inspired by the books and discussions.

The judges were really impressed with the imaginative approach that Kate took with her design and loved the use of colour. 

Year 4 pupil Kate Daybell said she had the idea of words floating off the pages of a book and children being inspired all over the world by the huge, magical creations the words form.

"I am thrilled about winning this competition and am very excited about going to London and meeting all of these amazing authors. I have loved being a part of Carnegie and Greenaway shadowing group and sharing ideas about the books we have read." 

Lottie Cumbley's entry in the ALCS Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards Shadowing Scheme competition was based on Mary Poppins and judges said it was a wonderful read.

Lottie said: "We have been singing songs about Mary Poppins in school which reminded me how much I loved the book. It made me want to write my diary entry based on a character from this magical story. I enjoyed seeing the world through Jane's eyes."

Exeter Junior School Reading Development Coordinator Leah Hardy said it was marvellous to see the creativity of the school's youngest pupils recognised and applauded. 

"The shadowing has inspired wider reading repertoires across all the year groups introducing new genres and authors during our twice weekly discussion groups. 
"Over the weeks, I have particularly noticed an increased confidence from our pupils when voicing views about texts and the skills of interpretation and analysis. The wonderful array of books nominated for the award encourage a wider cultural and historical awareness."

Exeter School Librarian Belinda Jackson said it had been a delight to work with the Junior School librarians over the past few weeks. 

"We have enjoyed looking at all the books on the shortlist together and I have been very impressed with their insightful comments on the books and their enthusiasm for the process. 

"As Librarian in the Senior School I am looking forward to seeing all of them in our library in due course and I hope that it will be a beneficial part of their transition."