26 June 2020
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Bernadine Evaristo, Lara Maiklem, Sophie Anderson and Chris Haughton are the winners of the indie booksellers' awards
The winning books were selected as top summer paperback reads by independent UK bookshops and are announced today as part of Independent Bookshop Week (20-27 June).
The winners are:
• Fiction: Girl, Women, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
• Non-fiction: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem
• Children's fiction: The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
• Picture book: Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Matt Taylor of Chepstow Books & Gifts, chair of judges, said: 'We were delighted to select Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo as winner of the Fiction category. We felt it was such an engaging, vibrant, funny and important book it should win every prize going, be thrust into the hands of browsers in bookshops and be read by everyone. The panel found Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem fascinating and felt we were down in the mud with her at 5am going through broken pieces of pottery looking for that one hidden gem. It is a brilliant mix of social history and archaeology written in a highly engaging voice.'
Vanessa Lewis of the Book Nook, chair of judges said: 'Don’t Worry, Little Crab was deemed the perfect picture book with its vibrant colour palette and heart-warming message about being brave and trying something new. Chris Haughton’s unique style and delightful illustrative details makes this book a pleasure to read aloud. Sophie Anderson’s magical interweaving of narrative and traditional stories makes for an exhilarating tale. As Yanka sets out to discover more about her past and befriends the animals of the snow forest she learns to accept who she is. This is a beautifully crafted story and the perfect antidote to these uncertain times.'
For more information see the website.