The Nestlé Smarties Book Prize competition is run to find the nation's best children's books. It is run by Booktrust, the independent charity which promotes books and reading, the prize is designed to inspire and develop literacy skills for children under eleven in a fun and educational way.

The Nestlé Smarties Book prize is now in its 18th year and remains one of the longest running and most respected children's book prizes in the UK.

The Nestlé Smarties Book Prize is designed to support the English curriculum and is open to all children aged 11 and under through schools and through the Kids' Club Network.

The Prize is awarded annually to a work of fiction or poetry for children written in English by a UK citizen, or an author resident in the UK in the year ending 31st October.

This year they have a partnership with the British Library's Magic pencil Exhibition, a celebration of children's illustrators. Tony Ross, acclaimed illustrator and author will be exhibiting at the British Library and will be a member of the 2002 Judging Panel.

How it works

A panel of adult judges chooses a shortlist of books in three age categories (under 5, 6-8 and 9-11), submitted by publishers. In September, school children across the UK are invited to enter a competition to become Young Judges, who will decide which books will receive the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in each age category. The 200 successful classes will judge the books, and enter the second stage of the competition to win the chance to attend the prize ceremony at The British Library in London on 3rd December.
Final date for entries was 26th July 2002.

Teachers
A mailer will have been sent out to schools at the beginning of the autumn term in September. The mailer will have given teachers all the information they need for their class to enter.

Kids' Clubs Network
Since 1999, members of Kids' Clubs Network (the organisation which promotes out-of-school childcare and which is also supported by Nestlé) have been invited to participate. Kids' Clubs will receive a mailer with details.

All shortlisted books (chosen by adults) win prizes - Gold, Silver or Bronze - in their age category.
Prize: Gold £2500, Silver £1000 and Bronze £500

The Judging Panel

2002 Shortlist