Celebrating outstanding children’s literature - The BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award

February 14th 2018

The BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a children’s author or illustrator recognised for their outstanding contribution to children’s literature through their body of work. Just three years old, this is a wonderful, celebratory award – and with previous winners such as Raymond Briggs (The Snowman) and Judith Kerr (The Tiger Who Came to Tea), this year’s worthy winners, husband-and-wife- team John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury, are in excellent company! Helen’s beautiful illustrations include We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Three Little Wolves and John is an illustrator and author of books for children that tackle the sensitive subject of bereavement such as Avocado Baby and Granpa. They also worked collaboratively on a book called There’s Going to be a Baby in 2010, that John wrote and Helen illustrated. Having won several literary awards individually, winning the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award is especially pleasing as they are the first to win the prize jointly between them. Helen recently commented: “It’s particularly lovely as we have been awarded this honour jointly – and to get an award from BookTrust who know everything there is to know about children’s books is just wonderful.” Titles from both John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury are available to buy from Peters: John Burningham books Helen Oxenbury books This year’s judges included current Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child, CEO of BookTrust, Diana Gerald and author and television presenter, Dame Floella Benjamin. For more information on the award, please visit the BookTrust website.