ALASTAIR HUMPHREYS’ GREAT ADVENTURERS WINS THE 2019 EDUCATIONAL WRITERS’ AWARD

The winner of the 2019 Educational Writers’ Award is Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers: The Incredible Expeditions of 20 Explorers (Big Picture Press).

Written by adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys and illustrated by Kevin Ward, the book is a compendium of great expeditions, hand-picked by Alastair Humphreys, whose own adventures include cycling the world and rowing the Atlantic Ocean. It retells the extraordinary stories of 20 men and women who have ventured into space, and across oceans, continents, deserts and jungles - inspiring Alastair’s own adventurous travels. They include Amelia Earhart, Apsley Cherry-Garrard, Dervla Murphy, Ibn Battuta and Sacagawea.

The Educational Writers’ Award is the UK’s only award for creative educational writing and was established in 2008 by the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) and the Society of Authors (SoA) ‘to celebrate educational writing that inspires creativity and encourages students to read widely and build up their understanding of a subject beyond the requirements of exam specifications’.

Children’s author and Chair of ALCS, Tony Bradman presented Alastair Humphreys and Kevin Ward with a shared cheque for £2,000 at a reception at ALCS on Tuesday 3^rd December.

This year’s judges – Hollie Davis, a primary school teacher; Michaela Morgan, a prolific author of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children; and Fiona Shufflebotham, a junior school librarian – were full of praise for the winning title: ‘Intertwining Alastair Humphreys’ own experiences with those of his explorer heroes, this book has something for everyone. The thoughtfully chosen range of adventurers stretches across history, ages and genders which means that any child can pick this book up and find at least one person they can relate to or feel excited about. A particular charm of the book is the authorial voice, full of excitement and humour. Even the dedication which reads “…a book full of madcap adventurers, daft exploits, dubious career paths…” provides a breath of fresh air. A book to inspire future adventurers as well as inform children across the age range in an exciting, original and accessible way.’

Find out more about the complete shortlist [1].

TOM PALMER WINS THE 2019 RUTH RENDELL AWARD

At the same event at ALCS, Tom Palmer [2] was named the winner of the 2019 Ruth Rendell Award which honours the author or writer who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK in the past year.

The award was launched in 2016 by the National Literacy Trust and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) in honour of the author Ruth Rendell, who tirelessly championed literacy throughout her lifetime.