Shortlisted in UKLA 2024

I've had a rather special weekend because Call Me Lion was shortlisted in the UK Literacy Association 2024 Award for readers aged 7-11 and I was invited down to take part in the ceremony at the University of Sussex.
It was a very powerful and moving experience as all the books selected by the judges were stories to celebrate inclusion, representation and/or highlight particular issues. Added to this, it is the only award judged entirely by teachers.
This is proof that Call Me Lion is being used within classrooms not only to raise compassion and understanding about Selective Mutism, childhood anxiety and levels of illiteracy, but also to encourage reading for pleasure and the joy of books.
​This is what it is all about and for. I'm beyond thrilled to be part of something so incredible and felt very humbled to be included. 

It was a privilege to be among such an amazing collection of books and to be able to mix with hugely talented authors and illustrators. Above are YA writer Nathanael Lessore, shortlisted for his debut, Steady For This, and Peter Lantos, winner of the Non-Fiction category for his personal memoir The Boy Who Didn't Want to Die. I took quite a few photos and there are so many people that I should and could mention in this blog post. If you would like to see a full list of all the shortlisted authors and illustrators for the UKLA 2024 please visit their website: https://ukla.org/news/shortlists-announced-for-the-ukla-book-awards-2024/
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The evening event was wonderful and I got to meet many talented people including Zillah Bethel. This was such a particular thrill for me as I'm a huge fan of all her books.

​I read and enjoyed all the books within the 7-11 category but felt that Liz Flanagan was more than worthy of her win with book 1 of her Wildsmith Series. It was an absolute pleasure to get to know Liz over the weekend and I we shared so many life experiences it was uncanny.

Liz and I just before our panel event together

Peter and I after he very kindly signed his book for me

I came away from the wonderful weekend feeling absolutely humbled to be part of something so incredible. It's mind blowing to think of how well Call Me Lion is doing and how many lives it might go on to touch in a positive way. I'm totally proud that I get to call myself the author of the little book with the big heart. 

Long may Lion ROAR!