The shortlist for the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2023 was announced on 1st June. Now in its fifth year, the award was set up by independent children’s bookshop The Alligator’s Mouth and The Bright Agency to celebrate the best highly illustrated children’s fiction titles for 6-8-year-olds. Illustrated young fiction is an important, but often overlooked, category of children’s books. It provides a vital bridge between picture books and longer fiction, helping newly independent readers gain confidence and develop reading fluency and stamina.

The five shortlisted titles were chosen from a longlist of ten by a panel of children’s authors, teachers and booksellers, including author-illustrator Pippa Cornice, winner of last year’s award with Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent. Commenting on this year’s shortlist, Pippa said: “Being a part of the judging team for this fantastic award was such an honour. There were so many outstanding books to choose from, and each had their own unique brilliance that made them special. The shortlist has some real gems, and I’m sure each and every one will be loved by children and adults alike.”

The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop is offering a 20% discount on packs of both the shortlist and longlist until the end of July.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators!