KIDS’ BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023
Lions and griffins and ghosts, oh my! These were the unmissable kids’ books of 2023
Age: 0-6
King Lionby Emma Yarlett
(Walker Books, £12.99)
Loneliness and being misunderstood are common subjects for children’s books; authors know that childhood can often be difficult, especially if you feel you don’t fit in and can’t make friends the way everyone else apparently can. This book takes a clever approach to tackling that emotional anxiety – its alienated, misunderstood character is a mighty lion, ostensibly a majestic, powerful creature who can have anything he wants. But what he wants is a friend. And that is a difficult task when everyone is scared of him and withdraws when he appears. It takes a special kind of empathy and courage to trust him, and Yarlett leaves young readers with enlightening ideas about judging strangers and making friends.
Mama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writing as Nwa Grace-James, illustrated by Joelle Avelino
(HarperCollins, £12.99)
Adichie, author of outstanding adult novels and, wrote this story for her daughter, who was three at the time. It is a celebration of mother-daughter love and shows how that bond remains, and in fact can be strengthened through objects rich
