This week at Advocate we were delighted to learn that a book illustrated by one of our artist, Gabrielle Antonini, has won the People’s Book Prize! Read on to see the whole review or visit Gabrielle’s portfolio on the Advocate website to see more of her work.

Picture Book with Axe Wielding Gran wins ‘The People’s Book Prize’

The children’s book category in the ‘People’s Book Prize’ has been won this year by author Giles Paley-Phillips with The Fearsome Beastie. With a child eating monster and an axe wielding gran, The Fearsome Beastie is not your standard children’s book. Even with its atypical content it has received amazing reviews and has even had praise from David Walliams, Quentin Blake and PM David Cameron.

The story follows a monster that one night goes looking for some little children to eat, only to be foiled by an axe wielding granny. The illustrator, Gabriele Antonini, creates a fantastic dark atmosphere whilst still managing to add humour.

The Fearsome Beastie has proved to be popular with children of all ages, and although some parents may be worried at the content – children LOVE IT!

The publisher, Maverick Arts, say “Children’s Picture books are often over politically correct and don’t reflect our modern age at all. Children are actually pretty tough and like to see the good guys triumphing over the bad. It is just common sense!”

After finding out that he has won, Giles said “It’s very flattering and humbling to receive such lovely messages of support. I was stunned to have won ‘The People’s Book Prize’. It is such a prestigious award to win, especially as it is voted by the public!”

The Fearsome Beastie is also shortlisted for the ‘Rotherham Children’s Book Award’, alongside David Walliams new book also about a granny.

The Fearsome Beastie is out now and available from all good bookshops.