Southampton's Favourite Book Award 2012

The winner of the Favourite Book Award 2012 is.... “Tom Gates…Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)” by Liz Pichon!

Liz was presented with her award by The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Derek Burke at a ceremony held at the Hawthorns Wildlife Centre. In front of a very enthusiastic audience featuring children from participating schools, teachers and library staff.

This hilarious book features Tom’s tatty journal, filled with doodles, scribbled notes and stories. We’re taken inside Tom’s world of annoying his sister, eating lots of caramel wafers and his band ‘Dogzombies’. Along with other moments about school, friends and family, Tom has to make up some rather ‘excellent excuses’ to get through his rather complicated life.

True to Tom Gates, Liz, with the help of the excited and inspired children, designed and drew their own ‘Monster’. As well as answering many questions, Liz spoke of her inspirations and ideas for the book, her writing processes and previous work she had done.

Run by the Southampton School Library Service, the aim of the award is to encourage children to recommend their favourite reads for others to share, recognise some of the best books first published in 2011 in paperback by British authors and to promote the enjoyment of reading.

For more information please contact Anita Shearing, Schools Library Service on 023 8078 0507

Find out more about the authors and their books by visiting the websites below.