Princess Beatrice hailed the importance of reading for youngsters in a “crazy, hectic world” as the winner of Oscar’s Book Prize was revealed.
She told shortlisted authors she was in awe of them at last night’s award ceremony at the May Fair Hotel.
The winner, selected from a shortlist of five, was named as How To Be A Lion by Ed Vere, who said he was “elated, surprised and really honoured”.
Beatrice, whose mother Sarah Ferguson has written children’s books, said: “To every author in this room, I am in awe of you. To sit down and spend the time writing and crafting what it’s like to be inside a child’s mind, and as a daughter of an author, I admire you so much.
“I feel inspired by every word on the pages and every drawing in the books.”
She added: “We live in such crazy, hectic worlds of screens and news. For a young person it can be a minefield. To share with them something that’s so joyful I’m thrilled, and also to be able to represent the prize and see it grow.”
The £5,000 award, in its sixth year, celebrates the best books for under-fives. It was set up in memory of Oscar Ashton, son of ex-Standard City editor James Ashton. Three-year-old Oscar, who loved reading, died in 2012 from an undetected heart condition. Mr Vere, 46, said his book was a response to “Donald Trump becoming president and his extremely narrow view of masculinity”.
He added: “I feel elated, surprised and really honoured that such a wonderful, meaningful book prize has given me this honour … there need to be voices talking to boys and girls at a young age saying it’s not a weakness to be compassionate.”
There were a record 117 entries this year and the longlist was chosen with help from the Eveline day nursery in Wimbledon, which Oscar attended.
