I am absolutely thrilled that my children’s picture book, Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up has won a Teach Early Years Award 2025, in the picture book category!
This means a lot to me. I started my career in Early Years Education, and it was an honour to know that this award was judged by the Early Years sector. When I write, I always think about and visualise the young children I worked with and whether they will understand and enjoy the concepts and the rhythm and flow of the book.
I dedicated Maya and Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up to the children who attended Hornimans Adventure Playground in London, where I used to play as a child.
What the judges said:
“This is this year’s winner for its joyful and purposeful storytelling and the way it captures big ideas in a child-friendly and engaging way. The book celebrates community spirit and togetherness, showing how small actions can generate meaningful change. It introduces sustainability in a way that feels natural, accessible and fun for young readers. Together, text and artwork encourage curiosity, empathy and responsibility, producing a hopeful and engaging picture book that leaves a lasting impression.”
And finally, as I always say, writing a book is not just about the author, it is a big team effort:
Yabaewah – Illustrator
Jenny and James – Design
Becky, Lou, Dyanni, Frances, Jane and Libby- Editing
Jodie – Agent
Sophie, Lily and Phoebe – Marketing and PR
The wider Ladybird Books team
“Expect a mix of the tried-and-true and the brand-new. What do they all have in common?
- They work.
- They save you time.
- They make teaching that little bit easier.
What judges assessed
- Environmental impact
- Suitability & adaptability
- Educational impact
- Originality & innovation
- Value for money
- Ease of use & accessibility
- Durability”
Please follow this link for information, regarding the awards: https://www.teachearlyyears.com/product-focus/view/teach-early-years-awards-2025-winners-announced
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@LauraHAllain