Bishop’s Stortford College Prep School Librarian Lizzie Hall writes about the magic of storytelling …

Now in its 13th year, the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award invites schools to participate by sharing shortlisted books and voting for their favorite titles.

You can get more information about the award as well as the Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature – which runs from January 31 to February 11, 2022 – by visiting www.festivalofliterature.co.uk.

Here are the shortlisted books this year …

Albert Upside Down by Ian Brown (author) and Eoin Clark (illustrator)

Albert the pet turtle has a problem: while trying to reach for a tasty treat, he found himself on his shell, upside down and stuck!

Can the other garden creatures overcome their rivalry, team up, and help him get back on his feet?

Filled with comical and charming illustrations and vibrant color, this timeless tale shows the power of working together, thinking creatively, and how even the smallest help can make a huge difference.

Also included are fascinating facts about the actual turtle called Albert, who inspired this story, and turtles around the world – a modern mini-dinosaur living on vegetables!

My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho (author) and Allison Colpoys (illustrator)

Follow a child so shy she doesn’t speak.

With the encouragement of an enchanting and magical teacher, she writes a poem. But a poem is meant to be read aloud!

She gathers all her courage, stands in front of the class and shows her classmates that she has a voice. And her voice is MAGNIFICENT!

Alone! by Barry Falls (author and illustrator)

One day, Billy hears the squeal of a mouse – destroying his perfectly peaceful existence.

So he gets a cat to catch the mouse. But the cat and the mouse make friends.

So he gets a dog to chase the cat away. But they all play together too.

So he gets a bear … then a tiger … and so on, until Billy’s house is so full of characters that he has to move out.

Will he find that he still craves peace and quiet, or is it actually nice enough to have company and friends?

Charlie Chooses by Lou Peacock (author) and Nicola Slater (illustrator)

Charlie does NOT like to choose.

He can’t decide between chocolate or vanilla ice cream, striped or spotted underwear, or whether he wants to turn the lights on or off at bedtime. It’s way too hard!

The hardest thing to choose is a birthday present – how will it someday be decided?

But when a new friend with a wavy tail chooses HIM, making choices becomes a little easier.

Maybe … from Chris Haughton (author and illustrator)

Three little monkeys and their great ape sit high on their branch in the forest canopy.

“Okay, monkeys! I’m going,” said the great ape. “Now remember. Whatever you do, DO NOT go down to the mango tree. There are tigers there.”

Mmm… mangoes! think the little monkeys. They love mangoes.

Hmm … maybe … maybe they could just look at the mangoes? Wouldn’t that be nice?

Saving Mr Hoot by Helen Stephens (author and illustrator)

A beautiful owl lives in the tree outside Ben’s house. Ben calls him Mr. Hoot.

When adults want to cut down Mr. Hoot’s tree, Ben must act quickly to save him.

This warm, funny and inspiring story shows how we can all protect the wildlife that lives all around us.

Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery (author) and Sarah Warburton (illustrator)

Ten silly teachers missed the last bus home.

But look – a shortcut through the forest! They will be back for tea! They jump, unaware that in the woods a hungry horde of mischievous and hilarious monsters awaits them …

The Duck Who Didn’t Like Water by Steve Small (author and illustrator)

The duck is not like other ducks. The duck does not like water and is doing perfectly well on its own, thank you very much.

But then, one dark and stormy night, an outgoing, water-loving and very lost frog shows up at Duck’s door.

Can this strange couple find Frog’s house? And will they find friendship along the way?

The Invisible by Tom Percival (author and illustrator)

Isabel and her family don’t have much, but they have something to get by.

Until one day there isn’t enough money to pay their rent and bills and they have to leave their house full of happy memories and move across town.

It’s the story of a girl who does one of the hardest things anyone can do – a difference.

And this is the story of those who are neglected in our society, who feel invisible, and why everyone has a place here. We all belong.

The Witchling’s Wish by Lu Fraser (author) and Sarah Massini (illustrator)

The Little Witch lives alone at the top of her mountain and, more than anything, she wants a friend.

So when her spellbook tells her that the secret ingredient is a little girl’s favorite teddy bear fur, she knows what to do.

But the plush belongs to Lily, who can’t bear to part with it.

Will the Little Witch give up on her dream of a true friend? Or, just maybe, is there a way for her and Lily to make the wish come true together?