Day: May 22, 2025

Queen’s Knickers Award Shortlist

| Tasha

The Society of Authors in the UK has announced the shortlists for their 2025 awards. There are 7 shortlists with one focused on children’s books. Winners will be announced on June 18th. The Queen’s Knickers Award is given to “an outstanding children’s original illustrated book for ages 0-7. It recognises books that strike a quirky, new note and grab the attention of a child, whether in the form of curiosity, amusement, horror or excitement.” Here is the shortlist:

Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales by Catherine Cawthorne, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

Bird Is Dead by Tiny Fisscher, translated by Laura Watkinson and illustrated by Herma Starreveld (available in US)

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth, illustrated by David Litchfield (releasing in US on October 28, 2025)

Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Yiting Lee

No. 5 Bubblegum Street by Mikolaj Pa, translated by Scotia Gilroy and illustrated by Gosia Herba (available in US)

The Pandas Who Promised by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field

Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun – Book Review

| Tasha

Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun (9781782509080)

Eunny’s school day starts slowly as she gets up and her family does too. Grandpa is coming back from his walk. After breakfast, it’s time to head off to school with Mama. Eunny makes sure to notice the flowers and the blue sky. She drops her mother at the bus stop and heads to school around the corner. She and a friend walk in together, happy on such a beautiful day.

This is a quiet and meditative picture book, full of little special moments that urge readers to slow down and notice. The art is done in fine lines and is filled with details of life in South Korea.

A lovely picture book to share in a still moment together. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Floris Books.