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Sophy Henn wins The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2021

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We are thrilled to announce that the wonderful Sophy Henn has won the Alligator’s Mouth Award 2021. The award, which celebrates highly illustrated fiction, is run by the Alligator’s Mouth bookshop and the Bright Agency in association with Gardners.

Henn was presented with the trophy by last year’s winner Adam Stower (pictured), who praised Pizazz (the first title in the series, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK) for being "original and funny, with a great cast of characters".

Author and illustrator Henn said: "I was completely thrilled to be amongst such wonderful books on the longest; I could not believe my luck when I found myself on the shortlist, and I didn't think for one moment that I would end up holding this beautiful award! WOW! A huge thank you to Tony, Margaret and the incredible team at the Alligator’s Mouth Award, to the brilliant judges, who are all utter heroes. And thank you to the all the wonders at Simon & Schuster, who have been so brilliant and supportive of Pizazz. I’m absolutely over the moon!."

The winner was announced via an online video released on the Alligator’s Mouth Twitter account (@alligatorsmouth) earlier this morning.

Best-selling author Smriti Halls joined Adam Stower on the 2021 judging panel. Halls said: "The Alligator’s Award is such a special one. It celebrates those important books that help bridge the gap between picture books and young fiction, and turn children into independent readers. It celebrates those special stories that capture the imagination by perfectly combining wonderful words with enthralling pictures and take children onto the next step of their reading journey.  We know how important it is that children read early and the difference that can make in their lives. I’m so happy that this is a prize that encourages them to read widely… and that helps children discover stories that are full of enjoyment, warmth, laughter and fun."

Alongside Stower and Halls, the panel of children’s book experts who picked the winning title included: book blogger and primary school librarian Jo Clarke (Book Lover Jo); primary school headteacher and book blogger Simon Smith; co-owners of the Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop, Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West; and Arabella Stein, director at The Bright Agency.
 
Wallace-Jones and West said: "We are so thrilled that Sophy Henn's wonderful Pizazz has won the third Alligator's Mouth Award. This witty and inventive book effortlessly blends story and illustration, and the sparky, funny central character is the best and most entertaining superhero anyone could hope to meet. The pages whizz energetically by, and we know this fabulous book will engage children and start them on the journey towards becoming life-long readers. Congratulations Sophy!"

Stein said: "I am thrilled with Sophy’s win – Pizazz is a wonderful example of illustrations and words coming together to tell a brilliant story. This book has everything needed to entice young readers into wanting to read more, and deserves to be celebrated. A huge congratulations to Sophy, and all the team at Simon & Schuster Children’s."

Nigel Wyman, head of business development at Gardners, said: "Pizazz is a worthy winner of this fantastic award. Sophy Henn has brought young readers a superhero that is very relatable for the 21st century, and will captivate the reader. We at Gardners offer our hearty congratulations to Sophy Henn, and also to all of the longlisted and shortlisted titles which have been excellent."

Videos of special readings and activities by the shortlisted authors and illustrators were released on Twitter and can be seen on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCFF9MSoqMh-Y7ReKD464mhA

The award was founded in 2018 by the Alligator’s Mouth, an indie bookshop in Richmond-on-Thames, in partnership with the Bright Agency with the aim of championing and celebrating highly-illustrated fiction for children aged 6-8-years-old. Book wholesalers Gardners joined the prize as an official partner in 2019.