Local Author Wins 2020 Picture Book Award

Congratulations to local author Jo Rippon, whose book Rise Up! The Art of Protest was awarded the 2020 English 4-11 Picture Book Award in the 7-11 Non-Fiction category by the English Association. Their annual awards ceremony this year, due to Covid restrictions, took place virtually last Wednesday, 25 November.

Jo has kindly offered a copy to give away to local residents: if you would like to win it, please email us at info@eastsheenold.anzu.chancom.net with the subject: “Rise Up! Giveaway” and include your name and address. The deadline is 11pm on Monday the 7th December.

The book, which was produced in collaboration with Amnesty International and includes a foreword from children’s book illustrator Chris Riddell, looks at six key areas of protest from the last 100 years and shows how creative defiance can inspire hope and unity. The book is illustrated throughout with protest posters from the Amnesty archive as well as from contemporary artists.

Rise Up! The Art of Protest is published by Palazzo Editions, an independent book publisher based in Barnes, SW13. Order your copy from Sheen Bookshop, or via this link.

The judges said: “This is a truly unique and informative non-fiction picture book for children that Jo Rippon has written in collaboration with Amnesty International about protests over the last 100 years. Throughout, it shares the innovative ways people around the world have come together. It is full of the protest banners and posters created by groups of people to make their voices heard. They are both beautiful and powerful, containing the important messages long after the marches have ended. This is a book both humbling and inspiring focusing on six key areas of protest. It shares the history behind the protest issue, how people have protested in the past and finally how young people are protesting about it today. It reminds us that the peaceful protest is about people showing support and coming together to make the world a fairer place for everyone.”

About the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards

Established in 1995, the awards are presented by the English Association to the best children’s picture books of the year. Awards are given in Fiction and Non-Fiction categories in age ranges 4 – 7 years and 7 – 11 years. The winning books are chosen by the editorial board of ENGLISH 4 –11, the journal for primary teachers published by the English Association and the United Kingdom Literacy Association, from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers, primary school children and Primary specialists.