A FORMER Evesham artist has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019 for the illustrated edition of the children’s classic The House Without Windows by Barbara Newhall–Follett.
Jackie Morris’ work has ensured the children’s book is one of 11 titles vying for the award, with the wide-ranging shortlist comprising four novels, two works of non-fiction, three children’s books, an illustrated fable and a cookery book.
Every year, Waterstones booksellers are called on to nominate a title which they find truly outstanding and in which they have felt the most pride recommending to readers over the preceding 12 months.
Last year’s winner, Normal People by Sally Rooney, had escaped proper recognition until she won the Waterstones Book of the Year.
Her book then became the runaway Christmas bestseller and went on to become one of 2018’s biggest selling books.
James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones, said: “That we have a shortlist of 11 gives indication of the nature of the Waterstones Book of the Year. It follows no rule other than that our booksellers must love these books and wish to see them in the hands of more readers.
“Some years, we can settle on fewer to compete but this year the range and balance of argument was too finely poised. It is a fabulous list.”
The House Without Windows was written by Barbara Newhall-Follett in 1923 at the tender age of 12. The book became a bestseller and has since been heralded as a feminist work ahead of it time.
Several years later in 1939, Barbara left her home one evening and was never seen again. The mystery of her disappearance remains unsolved.
After growing up in the Vale of Evesham, Ms Morris now lives in a cottage on the cliffs of Pembrokeshire, which she shares with a small pride of cats and various other gentle creatures.
She has created more than 40 children’s books, including the bestselling and critically-acclaimed modern classic The Lost Words.
