Local nursery and preschool children across the borough have played a vital role in selecting the winner of the first ever National Storytime Prize, Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett.
Claire Groves, who is an under 5’s officer at Wokingham Borough Libraries, was selected as one the regional judges for the South East to pick the overall winner from the shortlisted seven books and with the help of local under five year olds.
Claire visited a variety of nurseries and preschools across the borough between July and December last year to share the shortlisted stories and get feedback from the children. Cyril and Pat by Emily Gravett was a clear favourite.
“I am delighted that Claire was selected to judge this new national book award and that our local children were on hand to help her select a winner when all seven of the books are so good,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure.
“I look forward to seeing Cyril and Pat and the other six short listed books in all our libraries so all under-fives across the borough can enjoy them.”
Claire attended the prestigious awards ceremony in London and was given five sets of the seven short-listed books to give away.
All of the nurseries and pre-schools who took part were entered into a draw and the winners each received one of the book sets. The randomly selected winners are Finchampstead Day Nursery and Preschool, Woodley Baptist Preschool, Woosehill Day Nursery, Swallowfield Preschool, and St Dominic’s Preschool.
