This annual prize, generously funded by Nicholas Allan, author of The Queen’s Knickers, is awarded to an outstanding children’s original illustrated book for ages 0-7.
It will recognise books that strike a quirky, new note and grab the attention of a child, whether this be in the form of curiosity, amusement, horror or excitement.
The winner will receive £5,000, as well as a golden Queen’s Knickers badge, as depicted in Nicholas Allan’s original book.
The runner-up will receive £1,000 and a silvered badge.
The Queen’s Knickers Award is closed for submissions.
The 2024 Queen’s Knickers Award winner
Benjamin Zephaniah and Nila Aye for People Need People (Orchard Books, Hachette Children’s Group)
Photography © Natalie Thorpe
The 2024 Queen’s Knickers Award runner-up
Yoko Mori for Teddy’s Midnight Adventure (Pushkin Press)
Photography © Natalie Thorpe
The 2024 Queen’s Knickers Award shortlist
Coralie Bickford-Smith for The Squirrel and the Lost Treasure (Penguin Press, Particular Books)
Rachel Bright and Jim Field for The Gecko and the Echo (Hachette Children’s Group, Orchard Books)
Jairo Buitrago and Rafael Yockteng for Afterward, Everything Was Different (Greystone Kids, Aldana Libros)
Gabby Dawnay and Mona K for 5 Minute Nature Stories (Magic Cat)
Julia Kuo for Luminous (Greystone Kids)
“The books that made it onto the Queen’s Knickers shortlist all had a distinct appeal to us as judges in one way or another — whether it was in the message they conveyed, the quality of illustrations, or the timeless nature they possessed, each and every book earned its place on the list.”
—Salomey Doku, 2024 Queen’s Knickers judge
If you are interested in buying any of the books shortlisted here, please visit Bookshop.org. A percentage of each sale will go to the Drusilla Harvey Access Fund, providing access grants to help authors attend events, residencies and retreats.
2023
- Winner: Olaf Falafel for Blobfish published by Walker Books Ltd
- Runner-up: John Agard and Satoshi Kitamura for When Creature met Creature published by Scallywag Press
2022
- Winner : Alastair Chisholm and David Roberts for Inch and Grub (Walker Books) £5,000
- Runner-up: Mick Jackson and John Broadley for While You’re Sleeping (Pavilion Children’s) £1,000
2021
- Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Daine Ewen for Never Show a T-Rex a Book (Puffin) £5,000
- Runner-up: Alex T. Smith for Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise (Hachette) £1,000
2020
- Elena Arevalo Melville for Umbrella (Scallyway Press) £5,000
- Runners-Up: Didier Lévy and Frederic Benaglia for How to Light Your Dragon (Thames & Hudson) £1,000
With thanks, the judges of the 2024 Queen’s Knickers Award:
Cerrie Burnell
Cerrie Burnell is an author, actor and ambassador best known for work on CBeebies, a role which as earned her critical recognition and a devoted fan base. During her time on CBeebies she has broken down barriers, challenged stereotypes and overcome discrimination to become one of the most visible disabled presenters on kids T.V. Cerrie is the author of thirteen children’s books including Snowflakes, which she adapted for the stage with Oxford Playhouse in 2016 and the Harper series, which was a world book day title in 2016. As well as creating her one woman show The Magical Playroom which premiered at the Edinburgh fringe in 2013. Since leaving CBeebies, Cerrie has appeared in the BBC continuing drama doctors and made the eye opening documentary Silenced for the BBC. Her non fiction book I Am Not A Label was an Amazon US twenty best children’s nonfiction book of 2020 and was the over all children’s choice winner of the SLA information book awards 2021.
Her most recent book Wilder Than Midnight was indie book shop book of the month, and Blackwells book of the month for May 2022 and has been shortlisted for the first ever Adrien Prize. Cerrie recently worked for the BBC behind the scenes as their ambassador for disability with the creative diversity unit. She is currently dreaming up new ideas and drinking mint hot chocolate.
Salomey Doku
Salomey Doku is a self-taught author-illustrator from Leeds, England. After exploring watercolour painting in 2018, she quickly fell in love with the art of storytelling. Her debut picture book with Sir Lenny Henry, You Can Do Anything, Tyrone! published in July 2023, with another 2 books set to follow. Her debut author-illustrated graphic novel, Brielle & Bear will be published by HarperCollins in Autumn 2024. Salomey’s characters, comics and colourful stories are inspired by her diverse community, the natural world, and all things bright and beautiful.
Chris Haughton
Hello! I’m a designer and children’s book author. I have been a freelance illustrator for 18 years. My interest in fair trade drew me into working with a number of non-profit projects and in 2007 I was listed in Time Magazine’s Design 100 for the design work I’ve been doing for People Tree. Since then I have also begun writing children’s books, my first book A Bit Lost has been translated into 35 languages and has won awards in 12 countries including the Dutch Picture Book of the Year. Oh No George! came out in 2012 Shh! We have a plan in 2014, Goodnight Everyone (2016), Don’t Worry, Little Crab (2019), Maybe (2021) and Well Done, Mummy Penguin (2022). My first app, Hat Monkey was released in September 2014. My VR experience Little Earth was released in 2017. While living in Nepal in 2010/2011 I co-founded Pecha Kucha Kathmandu with Sujan Chitrakar. I co-founded ‘Node’ a fair trade social business based in Nepal with Akshay Sthapit in 2012.
Nicholas Allan
Nicholas Allan is a full-time writer and illustrator. He published his first book, The Hefty Fairy, in 1989 and has since written over thirty children’s books. Many of his books are bestsellers, including The Queen’s Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, Cinderella’s Bum, Heaven, and Where Willy Went. His books have won awards, been translated into twenty languages and adapted into television shows and West End musicals.
Nicholas has also been the Chairman of the Society of Authors’ Children’s Group and is currently the Patron of the Isle of Wight Children’s Literary Festival.