Nestlé Smarties Book Prize


The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, and Nestlé Smarties Book Prize for a time, was a set of annual awards for British children's books that ran from 1985 to 2007. It was administered by BookTrust, an independent charity that promotes books and reading in the United Kingdom, and sponsored by Nestlé, the manufacturer of Smarties chocolate. It was one of the most respected and prestigious prizes for children's literature.
There were three award categories defined by audience ages 0 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, and 9 to 11 years. Silver and bronze runners-up in each category were introduced in 1996 and designation of one overall winner was abandoned at the same time.
Eligible books were written by UK citizens and residents and published during the preceding year. The shortlists were selected by a panel of adult judges, finally chaired by Julia Eccleshare, children's books editor for The Guardian. First, second, and third places were determined by British schoolchildren—at least finally, by vote of "selected school classes"
The prize was discontinued in 2008 by what was described as a "mutual" decision from BookTrust and Nestlé, with "no hostility". Explaining their reasons for this decision, BookTrust stated it had "been reviewing the organisation's priorities and how prizes and awards fit in with its strategic objectives", while Nestlé was "increasingly moving its community support towards the company strategy of nutrition, health and wellness." Additionally, they said that it was a "natural time to conclude" and that they were "confident that increased importance has been placed on children's books."

Winners

There were 65 winning books in 23 years and 72 silver or bronze runners-up in the last twelve years.

1990s

Beginning in 1996, the awards included silver and bronze winners rather than a single overall winner.
YearCategoryAuthorTitlePublisherResultRef.
1990OverallMidnight BlueLionWinner
19900–5 yearsSix-Dinner SidSimon & SchusterWinner
19906–8 years, illus. by Quentin BlakeEsio TrotJonathan CapeWinner
19909–11 yearsMidnight BlueLionWinner
1991Overall and Helen OxenburyFarmer DuckWalker BooksWinner
19910–5 years and Helen OxenburyFarmer DuckWalker BooksWinner
19916–8 yearsJosie Smith and EileenCollinsWinner
19919–11 yearsKrindlekraxJonathan CapeWinner
1992Overall'Oxford University PressWinner
19920–5 yearsNice Work, Little WolfHamish HamiltonWinner
19926–8 years'Orchard BooksWinner
19929–11 years'Oxford University PressWinner
1993OverallWar GamePavilionWinner
19930–5 yearsHue BoyGollanczWinner
19936–8 yearsWar GamePavilionWinner
19939–11 yearsListen to the DarkHeinemannWinner
1994Overall'GollanczWinner
19940–5 years, illus. by Helen OxenburySo MuchWalker BooksWinner
19946–8 years, illus. by Lesley HarkerDimanche DillerYoung LionsWinner
19949–11 years'GollanczWinner
1995OverallDouble ActDoubledayWinner
19950–5 years'Walker BooksWinner
19956–8 yearsThomas and the TinnersMacdonald Young BooksWinner
19959–11 yearsWeather EyePenguinWinner
19959–11 yearsDouble ActDoubledayWinner
19960–5 yearsOops!Andersen PressGold
19960–5 years and Brita Granström'Watts BooksSilver
19960–5 yearsClownJonathan CapeBronze
19966–8 years, illus. by Christian Birmingham'Collins Children's BooksGold
19966–8 years, illus. by Tony RossHarry the Poisonous CentipedeCollins Children's BooksSilver
19966–8 years, illus. by John EastwoodAll Because of JacksonDoubledayBronze
19969–11 years, illus. by Nick Harris'Corgi YearlingGold
19969–11 yearsJohnny and the BombDoubledaySilver
19969–11 yearsPlundering ParadiseOxford University PressBronze
19970–5 yearsGingerWalker BooksGold
19970–5 yearsLeon and BobWalker BooksSilver
19970–5 years, illus. by David AxtellFruitsMacmillanBronze
19976–8 years, illus. by Anthony Lewis'Walker BooksGold
19976–8 years'Andersen PressSilver
19976–8 years, illus. by Satoshi KitamuraWe Animals Would Like a Word With YouBodley HeadBronze
19979–11 yearsHarry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneBloomsbury PublishingGold
19979–11 yearsClockwork or All Wound UpCorgi YearlingSilver
19979–11 yearsFire, Bed, and BoneWalker BooksBronze
19980–5 yearsCowboy BabyWalker BooksGold
19980–5 yearsCome On DaisyOrchard BooksSilver
19980–5 yearsSecret in the MistDavid & CharlesBronze
19986–8 yearsLast of the Gold DiggersPuffin BooksGold
19986–8 years'Mammoth BooksSilver
19986–8 years'Jonathan CapeBronze
19989–11 yearsHarry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsBloomsbury PublishingGold
19989–11 yearsAquilaPuffin BooksSilver
19989–11 years'DoubledayBronze
19990–5 years, illus. by Axel SchefflerMacmillanGold
19990–5 yearsBuffy - An Adventure StoryWalker BooksSilver
19990–5 yearsI Wish I Were a DogMethuenBronze
19996–8 years, illus. by Arthur RobinsSnow White and the Seven AliensOrchard BooksGold
19996–8 years, illus. by Tim ArchboldAstrid, the Au Pair from Outer SpaceCorgiSilver
19996–8 yearsClarice Bean That's MeOrchard BooksBronze
19999–11 yearsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanBloomsbury PublishingGold
19999–11 yearsKit's WildernessHodder Children's BooksSilver
19999–11 yearsAngus, Thongs and Full-Frontal SnoggingPiccadilly PressBronze