The CBC is proud to host the annual Eleanor Farjeon Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to the world of children’s books by an individual or organisation. Librarians, authors, publishers, teachers, reviewers and others who have given exceptional service to our industry are eligible for the award. The ceremony itself is an enjoyable evening, with the winner’s acceptance speech being a particular highlight.
The award was established in memory of Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965). Though best known for her hymn "Morning Has Broken," later recorded by Cat Stevens, she is also beloved as the author of Elsie Piddock Skips in her Sleep, Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard, Nursery Rhymes of London Town, and The Little Bookroom, which won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Carnegie Medal. Her poetry still appears in anthologies, with such favourites as "Mrs Malone","Cats" and "It was Long Ago" often included; while "Kings & Queens" written in collaboration with her brother, Herbert Farjeon, is still a best-seller. While Eleanor Farjeon was the first recipient of the Regina Award of the American Catholic Library Association, she did turn down another honour - Dame of the British Empire - explaining that she "did not wish to become different from the milkman." At her death, the Children's Book Circle established the Eleanor Farjeon Award in her honour.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Michael Morpurgo Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Michael Foreman
2017 – Keats Community Library Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Anne Harvey, executor of the Eleanor Farjeon Estate
2016 – John Agard Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Anne Harvey, executor of the Eleanor Farjeon Estate
2015 – Terry Pratchett Award accepted on Terry Pratchett’s behalf and keynote speech given by Rob Wilkins
2014 – Polka Theatre Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Lyn Gardner
2013 – David Almond Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Nicolette Jones
2012 – Quentin Blake Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Shirley Hughes (EF winner in 1984)
Award accepted on Quentin Blake’s behalf by Emma Chichester Clark
2011 – Federation of Children’s Book Groups Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Geraldine McCaughrean
2010 – Seven Stories Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: William Nicholson
2009 – Moira Arthur Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: David Fickling
2008 – Chris Brown Guest speaker at the Award Ceremony: Meg Rosoff
2007 – Jane Nissen
2006 – Wendy Cooling
2005 – Malorie Blackman
2004 – Jacqueline Wilson, author
2003 – Miriam Hodgson, editor
2002 – Philip Pullman, author
2001 – Amelia Edwards, art director
2000 – Julia Eccleshare, journalist
1999 – Klaus Flugge, publisher and founder (Andersen Press)
1998 – Gina Pollinger
1997 – Michael Rosen, author
1996 – Books for Keeps
1995 – Helen Paiba
1994 – Eileen Colwell
1993 – Susan Belgrave
1992 – Stephanie Nettell
1991 – Patricia Crampton
1990 – Jill Bennett
1989 – Anna Home
1988 – National Library for the Handicapped Child
1987 – Valerie Bierman
1986 – Judith Elkin
1985 – Bob Leeson
1984 – Shirley Hughes
1983 – Jean Russell
1982 – Aidan Chambers and Nancy Chambers
1981 – Margaret Marshall and Virginia Jensen
1980 – Dorothy Butler
1979 – Joy Whitby
1978 – Peter Kennerley
1977 – Elaine Moss
1976 – Joyce Oldmeadow and Court Oldmeadow
1975 – Naomi Lewis
1974 – Leila Berg
1973 – Eleanor Graham
1972 – Janet Hill
1971 – Margaret Meek
1970 – Kaye Webb
1969 – Anne Wood
1968 – Brian Alderson
1967 – Jessica Jenkins
1966 – Margery Fisher
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