Meet the Judges 2022: Ben Bailey Smith

It’s time for our 2022 edition of Meet the Judges!

Our panel have very kindly answered our Q&A all about reading, what they love best about picture books, and what they’d like to discover judging for Oscar’s Book Prize this year.

First up this week is the inimitable Ben Bailey Smith - please read on to find out more about him, and to find out - among other things - what he blew him away about a certain ‘rule breaking’ picture book!

Thanks so much, Ben!

What is your earliest or best memory of reading a book as a young child?

I really remember being blown away by the holes in the pages of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I was overjoyed by what seemed like a huge rule breaker: bite holes in the paper??? That was crazy to me. I loved it so much and don’t remember ever tiring of it. 

Who was your favourite person to read with as a child? Who do you read picture books with now?

Probably my dad when I was little because he would do silly voices and sing and tickle me whilst reading. The cosy nature of those bedtime stories is so special and I couldn’t wait to have it with my own kids… mine are teenagers now so sadly the picture book days are long gone! But I sometimes get the chance to read with my little godsons which I really look forward to. 

What was your favourite picture book as a child, and/or of all time?

My favourite of all time is Not Now, Bernard by David McKee. Pretty sure I loved it first time round as well! 

What sort of books are you hoping to discover when reading for the Prize? What are you looking for in a winner?

I’m looking for humour, insight and imagination. There’s no limit to the creative minds of young readers so I’m really looking for books that tap into that and push the boundaries of creativity.

What do you think the best thing about picture books are?

To me the best thing about picture books is the shared experience. The truly great ones entertain adults and children alike, and provide a real intimacy that encourages familial bonds that can last forever!

 

What motivated you to be involved in the Prize this year?

To celebrate Oscar’s life and discover some great new books! I’m always on the look out. 

About Ben Bailey Smith:

Once an underground rapper (known as Doc Brown), Ben Bailey Smith has turned a penchant for cadence into a medium connecting with a diverse audience of children. It is a journey that can be traced back to 2010 when he created the double BAFTA winning CBBC television series 4 o’Clock Club, which filmed its ninth season in the summer of 2018. 

Combing razor-sharp rhymes and laugh-out-loud comedy, Smith developed the tools required to reach children on a new and exciting level - and his three Blue Peter badges are a testament to his graft.  He has appeared on Blue Peter as both a performer and as contributor to their reviews of children’s literature and has made three appearances in the lauded spot of storyteller on Cbeebies’ Bedtime Stories. In 2016 he contributed to Sky’s countdown of the nation’s favourite Roald Dahl books and in 2017 made a cameo in the Sky One adaptation of the David Walliams bestselling children’s novel Ratburger. 

Also in 2016, Smith began his career as an author of children’s books. He released his first children’s book for 2-6 year olds, I Am Bear (Walker/Candlewick), which was followed by Bear Moves in February 2019. He is also the author of the comic story Get a Move On! (Bloomsbury First Readers), aimed at 5-8 year olds, as well as Something I Said (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2021), which is aimed at 9-11 year olds. His latest book, The Last Word, also published by Bloomsbury and a World Book Day 2022 title, will be available in February.

Smith is currently writing a YA play for the National Theatre’s Connections program and continues to develop new ideas for children and young people.