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Waterstones Children's Book Prize Winner 2024
It is with enormous pleasure that we announce Greenwild by Pari Thomson as the Overall Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2024.
Allying the mesmerising fantasy storytelling of Impossible Creatures to the passionate eco-awareness of The Last Bear, Pari Thomson’s irresistible debut bursts with adventure, worldbuilding and the sights and sounds of the natural world.
Allying the mesmerising fantasy storytelling of Impossible Creatures to the passionate eco-awareness of The Last Bear, Pari Thomson’s irresistible debut bursts with adventure, worldbuilding and the sights and sounds of the natural world. On a mission to find her missing mother, Daisy Thistledown discovers a portal in Kew Gardens to the enchanted Greenwild – a lush land where plants and flowers possess astonishing magical powers. But these powers are in danger from a sinister force that threatens to destroy not only the Greenwild but Daisy’s world as well. Populated by unforgettable characters, including a cat with an attitude and a boy who can talk to animals, Greenwild fizzes with invention, excitement and heart.
'A timeless fantasy tale of friendship, mystery, and the magic and beauty to be found in nature. A spellbinding triumph.'
BEA CARVALHO, WATERSTONES HEAD OF BOOKS
'Pari Thomson’s debut enchanted our booksellers with its sweeping escapism and standard-setting lyrical worldbuilding. At once a fast-paced adventure story and a heartfelt entreaty to care for the natural world, Greenwild is a timeless fantasy tale of friendship, mystery, and the magic and beauty to be found in nature. We are extremely proud to present this wonderful debut as the 20th winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize: we cannot wait to see what Pari Thomson does next.'
BEA CARVALHO, WATERSTONES HEAD OF BOOKS
Scenes from an Unforgettable Evening
Celebrating 20 years of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize
Presenting Our Overall Winners
Ever since Stuart Hill’s masterful fantasy The Cry of the Icemark scooped the inaugural gong two decades ago, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize has grown in stature to become one of the most prestigious children’s book awards in the literary calendar. As we celebrate the award's 20th anniversary, the time is ripe to look back on the modern classics that the prize has created.
Rising Stars
We are passionate about discovering new talent. From the beginning, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize has been sharing the best in new writing for children and teenagers and has helped to forge the careers of authors and illustrators who are now household names.
Hard-Hitters
We applaud Young Adult works that refuse to speak down to their readers, covering gritty and controversial topics with intelligence and sincerity.
Picture Perfect
We know that pictures can bring stories to life. Over the years it has been our pleasure to introduce fresh creative talent which combines words and pictures to stunning effect.
Action-Packed Pages
Feeding young imaginations with the fuel to build universes of their own, we have always championed sweeping adventures of new worlds and daring deeds.
Literary Laughs
We know that one of the hardest challenges for a writer is making readers laugh and that's why we love to celebrate books that raise either a chuckle or a full-on guffaw.
Conversation Starters
Our choices always put readers first, spotlighting the books that matter to them and reflecting the topics young people of all ages are most passionate about.
Family, Friends & Feelings
Throughout the history of the prize, we’ve rewarded books that really understand the dynamics of children’s relationships with both family and friends. These uniquely emotive connections have been brilliantly explored with humour, tenderness and power by a number of our winners.
Illustrated Books Shortlist 2024
Younger Readers Shortlist 2024
Older Readers Shortlist 2024
2023's Overall Winner
Previous Overall Winners
From the Waterstones Blog
The Waterstones Children's Book Prize Blog: Pari Thomson
The author of Greenwild, the winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2024, talks about the book that made her a writer.
The Waterstones Children's Book Prize Blog: Kayvion Lewis
The author of Thieves' Gambit and the winner of this year's Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers talks about the book that made her a writer.
The Waterstones Children's Book Prize Blog: Chloe Savage
The author of The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, the winner of the Best Illustrated Book category of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2024, talks about the book that made her a writer.
The Children's Books You Need to Read in 2024
From exceedingly exciting chapter books to effortlessly enchanting picture books, get the low-down on the children's books you need to read this year.
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