The #RR_BooksAwards celebrates the brilliant books that have featured in our teacher subscription book box service for the academic year 2023/24. Books are selected for the box as excellent examples of quality children’s literature for the primary classroom. The subscription service seeks to broaden teacher’s book knowledge and to bring diverse, inspiring and engaging books into the classroom.

The four categories are: EYFS, KS1, LKS2 and UKS2

The winners are voted for by teachers and schools.

This year’s winners:

EYFS

Hen in the Bed by Katrina Chapman and Guilherme Karsten, published by Nosy Crow (9781839946011)

What the voters said:

“Amazing writing, fun and good illustrations”

“I love the play between the words and the fresh new illustrations.”

“It’s got so many levels. There is counting, animal noises, a song and then all the extra narratives of the pictures!”

Quotes from the winners:

Katrina Charman:

‘I am absolutely thrilled that Hen in the Bed has won the Reading Rocks award! A huge thank you to everyone who voted and to the wonderful people at Reading Rocks who are tireless champions of children’s literature!’

Guilherme Karsten:

“Hen In The Bed is a nice experience of reading aloud with children, full of sounds, numbers, page turning and images that tells a funny and beautiful story. This award is a confirmation that we did a great book as a team. I’m so glad!”

KS1

I’m Going To Be A Princess by Stephanie Taylor and Jade Orlando, published by Nosy Crow (9781839944727)

What the voters said:

“It is historically accurate. It is beautifully written. It transcends age, gender, race to just name a few! It is informative and enjoyable, beautiful and encouraging.”

“I like the child’s take at the end as to why she was firmly set on being a ‘princess’: the fact that her decision was based on a concrete example of a princess worthy of emulating. It was uplifting to read this, and as a mother could see how influential this story would be for children.”

“I think it’s wonderful, timely, and the end is a lovely surprise. It’s empowering for children, especially girls, to read about a child who knows what she wants and can advocate for her choice. The illustrations are beautiful!”

“It champions Black Girls who don’t often get to see themselves as main characters in books”

Quotes from the winners:

Stephanie Taylor:

‘Maya is my heroine. The fact that ‘I’m Going to be a Princess’ will help teach young readers about five inspirational, trailblazing women, in a fun and accessible way, is everything I could have dreamt of for the book.’

Jade Orlando:

‘I’m absolutely overjoyed that I’m Going To Be a Princess has won this year’s Reading Rocks Award. As a little girl, I rarely encountered stories featuring kids who looked like me, which is why illustrating stories like Maya’s feels so meaningful. I hope that Maya’s journey will inspire every child to dream boldly and without limits, whether they want to be a rocket scientist…or a princess.’

LKS2

Who Let the Words Out? By Joshus Seigal, published by Bloomsbury Education (9781801992091)

What the voters said:

‘It’s just so clever and entertaining. Kids love it.’

‘So many great poems to inspire children and get them wanting to write their own.’

‘I love its variety. Joshua Seigal is an incredibly versatile poet, and that’s what children need to hear and see. Poetry can be about anything at all. It’s a fabulous book’

‘It’s a fun and engaging book that is perfect for getting children interested in poetry.’

Quotes from the winners:

Joshua Seigal:

“It is a huge honour to win this award. It really means so much that teachers have voted for me. It is a win not just for me, but for poetry in general! Thanks so much to all those who voted, and also to Reading Rocks for the tireless, amazing work they do.”

Hannah Rolls, Editorial Director:

“Joshua Seigal’s books are a brilliant way to get children excited about reading and the potential of language and so we’re delighted that Who Let The Words Out has been recognised by Reading Rocks. This award is a testament to Joshua’s ability to inspire young readers, and we are so proud to be part of his journey in bringing poetry to children.”

UKS2

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, published by Otter Barry Books (9781915659040)

What the voters said:

“Unique, emotional, gripping, relatable!”

“It is so beautifully written with so much heart to appeal to UKS2 students. It gives them so much to resonate with and sensitively deals with some very difficult topics, that many of our children experience. They can see themselves in Nate.”

“Very powerful and moving but also easy to read and especially poignant for my year group.”

“The story is so well developed and show cases poetry at its best!”

Quotes from the winners:

Matt Goodfellow:

‘It’s been an incredible thing to see the support The Final Year has had. Thank you to everyone who has voted.’