Scottish Children's Book award: Ladybirds, dragons, fiends… and favourite reads

LADYBRIDS, stormy weather and invisible fiends are among the topics in the children's books shortlisted for a major award.

• Julia Donaldson reads from her book 'What the Ladybird Heard'

Popular authors, including Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson, are in the running for this year's Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books.

The shortlist for the nation's largest children's book awards was revealed yesterday. The competition recognises excellence in Scottish writing and illustration for children aged up to 16.

Titles in the running include What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, Love from Louisa by Simon Puttock and Joe Kiddie and Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori in the "Bookbug" section for readers aged up to seven.

In the younger readers section for children aged 8-11, the shortlisted titles are The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare, The Secret of the Black Moon Moth by John Fardell and Invisible Fiends: Mr Mumbles by Barry Hutchison.

In the older readers category, for books aimed at 12-16-year-olds, shortlisted are Grass by Cathy MacPhail; Crossing the Line by Gillian Philip and The Witching Hour by Elizabeth Laird.

The final winners will be selected by children, who will be reading and voting for their favourites. The winners will be announced in February.

Jasmine Fassl, acting children's programme manager at Scottish Book Trust, said: "The trust is really pleased to announce the shortlist.

"The panel had a really tough time choosing from all the excellent books published in Scotland and has come up with a varied and brilliant shortlist in three categories. "

More than 22,000 children in 300 schools and libraries have already registered to vote.

In 2009, around 30,000 children took part, and this year judging is open until the end of January.

Julie Morrison, head of external relations for Royal Mail Group, said: ""It is still phenomenal that the number of children taking part continues to grow every year."

Originally set up by the Scottish Arts Council in 1999, the Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books are now run by Scottish Book Trust in partnership with Creative Scotland.

Colm Linnane, reading champion at Edinburgh City Library Service, praised this year's list.

He said: "This shortlist exemplifies the strength and depth of talent in Scotland in children's and young adult writing."There's something on the list for all ages, but this year I'm particularly looking forward to reading the Bookbug shortlist with my baby son, Rory."