It seemed the delicate art of the children’s book had all but disappeared, with swashbuckling adventures replaced with trendy tales of modern teenage struggles.
But traditional stories of fun and fantasy have returned, as Hobbit-like fairy tales dominate this year’s Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year.
The shortlist for the prestigious book awards is brimming with adventure books full of escapism and fun, including stories of warrior rabbits and mythical towns.
Waterstones has announced its lastest Children’s Book of the Year shortlist, file photo
Waterstones will announce the winner of its Children’s Book of the Year next month
The bookstore said renewed interest in classic tales, similar to the Railway Children and the Hobbit, has seen more wholesome books top the list.
In previous years, the shortlist has been overwhelmed grown-up tales of parental child abuse, violent bullying and homosexuality.
Authors were accused of ‘taking the joy’ out of children’s reading, including one book where a mother was forced to take out a restraining order against her former partner.
In another, The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson, a 14-year-old schoolboy suffers teasing and depression because he wants to become a girl.
But this year’s authors, who include a primary school teacher and a former teen rapper, have help children ‘find escape’ from the troubles of the real world, the bookseller explained.
Florentyna Martin, Waterstones Children’s Buyer said: ‘Whilst we still see exceptional real-life stories, this year’s shortlists indicate a renewed interest in the publishing and purchasing of fantastical adventure stories.
‘Children have always been eager to experience worlds beyond our own, whether it’s in books, films or technology, but our booksellers’ shortlist choices show that a resurgence of nostalgic fantastical adventures is creating a hunger for new magical stories.’
Real-life topics are notably thin on the list, instead championing Roald Dahl-inspired stories, including Helena Duggan’s A Place Called Perfect – a fantastical mystery about a little girl called Violet who moves to a strange town full of eccentric characters.
The Irish author based her mysterious location on her hometown of Kilkenny.
Her novel is one of six nominated for the Best Younger Fiction award.
There are also six nominees for Best Illustrated Book, as well as for Best Older Fiction, with the eventual winners of each category competing for the overall prize.
The Five Realms: The Legend of Podkin One-Ear is another favourite to scoop a prize, and was written by former reception teacher Kieran Larwood.
Inspired by the Hobbit and Watership Down, it tells the story of a rabbit called Podkin, who along with his older sister Paz and baby brother Pook have to protect their warren after it is attacked by the evil Gorm.
The winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year will be announced on March 22nd.