Scottish Book Trust has this morning announced the shortlist for the 2022 Bookbug Picture Book Prize with Alastair Chisholm, Catherine Rayner, David Roberts and Zoë Ingram in the running. The shortlist is:-

- Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by Catherine Rayner

This is the perfect bedtime story that can teach us all how to unwind. Our editorial expert Joy Court commented: "this stunning book is a real triumph of beautiful words and images working in absolute harmony"

- Inch and Grub by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by David Roberts

The Bookseller called this book "a witty, resonant look at the value of simple things."

- My First Book of Woodland Animals illustrated by Zoë Ingram

The perfect gift for any young animal-lover, this beautifully illustrated spotter guide is an ideal introduction to wild woodland animals.

The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators and to encourage reading for pleasure. The shortlist was selected by an independent panel of experts including Primary 1 teachers, a children’s librarian, children’s bookseller and Bookbug coordinator as well as experts from Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years Team.

The winner is then chosen by thousands of children across the country who can cast their votes online either at school with their teacher or at home with their families, via the Scottish Book Trust website: the deadline for voting is 10 December 2021 at 5pm.

Over 60,000 pupils across Scotland will receive a free copy of each of the three books on the shortlist, which are given to every Primary 1 child during Book Week Scotland (15 November – 21 November), in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 26 January, receiving a specially commissioned trophy and £2,000 while shortlisted authors and illustrators receive £500 per book.

Marc Lambert, CEO of the Scottish Book Trust, said: "Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize. We encourage schools and families across Scotland to read the shortlisted titles and vote for their favourite. We hope the children receiving their Bookbug P1 Family Bag will enjoy sharing these stories at home and with their classmates."