Award for Fleabag
NEWS RELEASE
Fleabag, written and illustrated by Helen Stephens, has just won the Dundee Picture Book Award 2009 after being shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2009 in the Best Book with Pictures category earlier this year.
‘Heart warming story … a book that will become a firm family favourite’
Booksellers Buyers Guide 2008
There was once a dog who had no name, and he had no home. What he did have was fleas, but they weren’t much company. The dog longs for a family and at last he sees one that looks just right – with a brother and sister to play with him. He follows them around everywhere but they shoo him away. It’s not till the little boy runs away from home that Fleabag can finally win his way into their hearts – and home.
‘The children who presented the ceremony were fantastic and a fine time was had by all. It was an added bonus to win, especially when it is decided by children!’
Helen Stephens, June 2009
Helen Stephens grew up in County Durham and currently lives in London with her partner and baby girl. She studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art and began working as a freelance illustrator in 1994. She worked as an editorial illustrator for a few years before writing her first book in 1998. She has written and illustrated many popular books for children which have been published worldwide in a variety of languages. Helen is a lecturer on Cambridge School of Art’s MA in Illustrating for Children.
She likes to draw in a sketch book everyday, and often these sketch book drawings lead to new picture book ideas. Fleabag was inspired by a trip to Battersea Dogs Home. She met and drew a gorgeous scruffy mutt with bushy eye brows called Fynn, and he became Fleabag.
Blue Horse and Tilly won Best World Theme Story in 2002, Twinkly Night was shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award 2002 and Poochie-Poo won the AOI Images Silver award 2003.
Fleabag is available in hardback and paperback and for any press enquiries please contact Camilla Allen on 020 7756 7778 or callen@scholastic.co.uk.
PB: 9781407105932 – £5.99 HB: 9781407105635 – £10.99
About the Dundee Picture Book Award
The Picture Book Award is a partnership project between the Leisure and Communities Department and the Education Department.
During February and March P6 and P1 children in fourteen schools are involved in the project. From a short-list of four titles each school decides which is their favourite.
Comments from the Dundee Picture Book Award judges
“Fleabag is the worthy winner of the Dundee Picture Book Award 2009. Our children, teachers and parents just loved it. When we first saw it we knew it had to be on our long list. When the children who help us select the shortlist saw it, they were equally excited. The four short-listed titles were all outstanding picture books but Fleabag struck a cord with the 800 children involved in the project and this is reflected in the result of the vote.”
“Helen Stephens’ illustrations bring to life the story of a scruffy dog who longs for a home and a family. It is a beautiful story with real tension and will appeal to children of all ages.”
Stuart Syme, Senior Library and Information Officer, School Library Service, Dundee
Moira Foster, Education Support Officer, Educational Development Service, Dundee
Comments from the 10-year-old pupils involved in the project
“I think these four titles were FANTASTIC picture books and I just have to own them all.”
“I think Fleabag is the best book ever.”
“I voted for Fleabag.”
“This is the best project I ever did!”
“I loved taking part in the project. It was a great experience and I would love to do it again. I like picture books, I used to think they were for infants but they are for all ages.”
“I liked reading Fleabag. Fleabag was a great book to read.”
“Picture books are great; entertaining for all ages. Who needs TVs or electrical gadgets when there are picture books around? This project has really helped to broaden my mind.”
“Fleabag, Fleabag, Fleabag, Fleabag, Fleabag.”
“The most difficult problem for me was, when the legs kept falling off of Fleabag. But we did it.” [A child’s comment on making a model for their library display.]
“I have learned that picture books are still great to read even at the age of 11.”