National Book Tokens, affiliated with the Booksellers Association, has revealed the winners of its annual “Design a National Book Token” Competition. This initiative aims to foster creativity and a love for reading among children and takes place in conjunction with World Book Day.

About the Competition

Since its inception over 20 years ago, the competition has attracted a remarkable four million entries, encouraging youngsters to express their artistic talents through custom gift card designs.

The theme for this year’s competition was “Read Your Way,” which resonated with a broader campaign encouraging children to contemplate what reading means to them.

Judging and Entries

This year, the competition received over 5,000 entries, judged by Jamie Smart, an established author and illustrator known for the popular “Bunny Vs Monkey” series.

Notably, the designs were showcased for the first time in First News, a prominent UK weekly newspaper aimed at children.

Winners of 2023

The winners are:

• Reva, 8 years old
• Grace, 7 years old
• Jasper, 9 years old
• Harriet, 11 years old
• Ankita, 15 years old
• Ethan, 15 years old (overall winner)

Each winner will receive significant amounts of National Book Tokens for both their schools and themselves. Ethan, as the overall winner, will also enjoy the benefit of a £10/€10 National Book Tokens gift card featuring his design for every student in his class, along with a visit to a local bookstore.

Impact of the Competition

Over the years, the competition has contributed more than £50,000 worth of National Book Tokens to various winners and their schools, reinforcing the importance of reading.

Lisa Bywater, head of marketing at National Book Tokens, expressed the organization’s long-term commitment to supporting World Book Day and promoting reading among children, particularly those who may face socio-economic challenges. She remarked, “We can’t wait to see the winners (and their classmates) using their winning National Book Tokens…”

Creativity and Reading

Smart highlighted the vital relationship between creativity and literacy, stating, “Whenever I see children’s artwork… I am always reminded of the mind-blowing creativity, imagination, and talent on display.”

He noted how drawing and illustration can provide an accessible means for struggling readers to engage with literature in a way that resonates with them.