Meet the Judges 2023: Our longlist panel

We’ve now had the pleasure of hearing from our shortlist judges and the crucial work they do in selecting our finalists. But before that stage of judging can happen, another very important panel reads all of our entries and has the unenviable task of choosing between them!

This panel is made up of a selection of children’s literature experts from different parts of the industry: from literacy charities to librarians. As usual, the panel involves Bedi Beytula-Sali and Sajida Akber from the Eveline Day Nursery, which Oscar attended, who bring their incomparable practical expertise of what books young children enjoy and engage with, and Viveka Alvestrand, Oscar’s mother.

This year the panel was also complemented by author, illustrator, and two-time OBP winner Benji Davies (also a shortlist judge this year), Read for Good’s Dr Lucy Martin and Tower Hamlets School Library Services’ Jacob Turner.

As we prepare to reveal our outstanding 10th shortlist on Monday, we wanted to share some insights from Lucy and Jacob (Benji having already kindly answered our shortlist judge Q&A, below) - huge thanks to both of of them for answering our questions, as well as choosing such terrific books!

Dr Lucy Martin –  Research and Partnerships Manager at Read for Good

Dr Lucy Martin, Read for Good

Please tell us about yourself:

I am extremely lucky to work for Read for Good. Read for Good are the brilliant charity partner of Oscar's Book Prize whose mission is to improve the lives of children across the UK by inspiring a love of reading. My role allows me to develop relationships with the most amazing individuals who share Read for Good’s commitment to changing children and young people’s lives through the power of stories and reading for pleasure. As there is so much evidence to support how transformative reading can be, it’s my job to make sure we share this and that our work in schools and hospitals is driven by the latest research. I’m never far away from books, meaning that I can often be found in the local library, or sitting under a tree, reading to my 4 year old who loves stories. 

Which childhood book(s) inspired your own reading journey?

I loved anything by Jacqueline Wilson. She totally got that life can sometimes be really hard when you're a kid. I think either you relate to the challenges of the characters in her stories or they can help you build empathy for what others are going through. 

What do you think is the most important thing about picture books?

For me, and at the charity Read for Good where I work, the most important things about picture books is that children can freely choose a book they love. Yet almost 1 in 5 children (ages 5-8) do not have any books at home. We believe that every child deserves to have access to a range of quality reading for pleasure books so they can experience the joy and magic of stories.

Jacob Turner, Librarian 

Please tell us about yourself:

I have been part of the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services since 2004, ensuring that schools have a ready supply of the best children’s books and other teaching resources, and helping to set up school libraries. I’ve managed the Tower Hamlets Book Award and annual recommended book lists since 2009, as well as the Tower Hamlets creative writing competition. When I’m not librarianing I illustrate books, climb walls and collect board games. 

Which childhood book(s) inspired your own reading journey? 

I was read a lot of traditional tales and myths. ‘The Kingdom Under The Sea’ by Joan Aiken – the story ‘Baba Yaga’s Daughter’ and also ‘The Reed Girl’ where the main character cuts off his own hand to feed two wolves – vividly illustrated by Jan Pienkowski – is still a fixture in the back of my mind. Possibly unsurprisingly, I went on to spend my childhood engrossed in the wonderfully dark Fighting Fantasy books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. 

What do you think is the most important thing about picture books? 

That the illustrations can tell a story without necessarily needing the words, and that you can open the best picture books on any page and still be captivated by a whole world in that one image.