2007 shortlist

5 and under category

Penguin by Polly Dunbar (Walker Books)

Ben is given a penguin as a present. However, try as he might he cannot get a reaction from his inscrutable companion.

He pokes him, sings for him and eventually fires him into outer space but to no avail – Penguin still ignores him.

Ben loses his temper with Penguin, so a big blue lion gobbles him up. Ben's saviour appears in an unlikely form causing him to realise that penguin loves him after all, in his own special way.

Polly Dunbar's illustrations are gorgeous and her palette stylish - from the endearing Ben's rosy cheeks to the magnificent turquoise lion who eats him up.

Polly Dunbar studied illustration at Brighton Art School and now lives and works in Brighton. Author and illustrator of Dog Blue and Flyaway Katie, she thinks that colour is a brilliant way to cheer yourself up and whenever she's feeling grey, she puts on her best pink frock and paints! Polly is the daughter of the distinguished author Joyce Dunbar who she collaborated with on the picture book Shoe Baby.

For more information about Polly go to www.pollydunbar.com

Dexter Bexley and the Big Blue Beastie by Joel Stewart (Doubleday)

Dexter Bexley is scooting along one day, when he chances upon a Big Blue Beastie. The Beastie is bored and hungry but young Dexter is canny and thinks of different ways of distracting him.

They set up a business together, become private detectives and go for a giant ice cream feast. But the Big Blue Beastie is still hungry and thinks that Dexter would make a perfect lunch.

Dexter is clean out of ideas but in the meantime, the Big Blue Beastie has had a change of heart and realises that friendship is the best antidote to boredom of all.

Joel Stewart's beautiful illustrations are reminiscent of Edward Ardizzone; his palette is rich and text is depicted imaginatively in speech bubbles and around the page. This book is a visual delight to be revisited time and time again.

Joel Stewart is a critically acclaimed illustrator who grew up in Sheffield after spending his earliest years in a commune in the wilds near Barnsley. He obtained a first class Honours degree in illustration from Falmouth College of Arts and was already working on his first picture book, The Adventures of a Nose, before he graduated.

Joel plays the banjo and button accordion and likes to draw while watching films, especially ones he’s seen before. Other titles illustrated by Joel Stewart include Jabberwocky (Walker Books), Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Walker Books) and Me and My Mammouth (Macmillan).

For more information about Joel go to www.joelstewart.co.uk

When a Monster is Born by Sean Taylor and Nick Sharratt (Orchard Books)

'When a monster is born there are two possibilities'…so this tale of the twists of fate begins.

Sean Taylor's text leads the reader through the two different ways a monster's life could turn out, following his progress from a home under a little girl's bed, to a chaotic visit to school, to meeting another monster and falling in love.

The story comes full-circle, finishing with a satisfying conclusion.

Nick Sharratt's distinctive illustrations are bold and vibrant and enhanced by different types of text and collage effects.

A fun-filled book, inspired by a traditional Brazilian poem which will be great to read-aloud.

Sean Taylor grew up in Surrey and went to Cambridge University and studied English Literature. He has worked as a publisher, writing for newspapers, teaching adults to read and write, and as Literature Development Worker for east London. He has travelled all over the world spent much of his time in Brazil. Sean is now a writer and professional storyteller. He now lives in Bristol with his wife and young son.

Nick Sharratt graduated from St Martin's School of Art in 1984 and has been working as an illustrator ever since. His work encompasses books for babies through to books for early teens and he has produced around 150 books to date. He is perhaps best-known for his illustrations for the multi-million selling author Jacqueline Wilson, but as well as this, he writes his own picture books and collaborates with various reputed picture book writers, on books such as PANTS and EAT YOUR PEAS.  Recent awards include the Children's Book Award, Sheffield Children's Book Award, The Stockport Schools Award, the Experian Big Three Award. He has also been nominated for the 2003 Kate Greenaway Prize.