When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth scoops Oscar's Book Prize 2024
A “page-turning” story about an adventurous dinosaur has won the £10,000 Oscar’s Book Prize.
The jury at the award, which is supported by Amazon and the Evening Standard, picked out When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth from a shortlist of five titles to win the prestigious prize.
The picture book, written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Zehra Hicks, tells the story of a little dinosaur called Smallasaurus and brings the prehistoric world to life.
Taylor said he was “honoured” to win and praised the other nominees for what they do “to keep bright-eyed reading alive”.
This year’s shortlist also included Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin, Geoffrey Gets The Jitters by Nadia Shireen, Gigantic by Bob Biddulph and The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty.
Among the guests at this year’s ceremony on Tuesday at The Ivy, West Street, were comedian Katherine Ryan, her husband Bobby Kootstra and singer Natalie Imbruglia.
Throughout April and May, Amazon will donate this year’s shortlist to schools and nurseries across the country via the Amazon Reading Volunteer network who will also support it with group reading sessions.
Lisa de Meyer, award judge and Amazon UK Books Country Manager, said the winning book “captured my heart”.
She said: “Both humorous and full of surprises, When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth truly is a memorable and page-turning picture book. The rhythmic language and colourful illustrations will make it a wonderful addition to Oscar’s Book Club, alongside the other magnificent shortlisted titles.”
The award, now in its eleventh year, was set up by James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand - in memory of their son Oscar who was three-and-a-half when he died from an undiagnosed heart condition – to celebrate the joy picture books bring to young children.
