CBeebies presenter joins scientists, author and head teacher on 2024 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize judging panel

A bestselling children’s author and a wildlife conservationist are among this year’s shortlisting panel for the 2024 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize.  

Judges for the prize, an annual celebration of the best science books for under-14s, will include Dr Emily Grossman, an internationally acclaimed science communicator and author, and resident science expert on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show, as well as Chantelle Lindsay, who teaches children about the UK's smallest animals as a presenter on CBeebies Teeny Tiny Creatures. 

They will be joined by Royal Society University Research Fellow Dr Emrys Evans, and head teacher David Rigmand, who champions practical science in primary schools across Scotland and has led several projects in collaboration with universities as part of the Royal Society Partnership Grants scheme. 

The panel will be chaired by Professor Dorothy Bishop FRS, Emeritus Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology who studies how developmental disorders affect language and communication in children. 

The adult judges will comb through this year’s best science books for children and decide on a shortlist of six books. The shortlisted titles will be sent out to young judges, drawn from schools, libraries and youth groups from across the UK, who will then have the challenge of selecting a winner. 

Chair of the adult judging panel, Professor Dorothy Bishop, said: 

“I am delighted to be chairing the judging panel for this year’s Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize.  

A great science book has the potential to spark a lifelong interest in science, inspiring young people to be more curious about the world around them. Science is all about asking questions and finding new ways of looking at things, so I will be looking for books that encourage young readers to think like a scientist.” 

Science communicator and author, Dr Emily Grossman, said:

“Science isn't just about memorising facts, it’s about being curious, asking questions, using our imaginations and coming up with new and exciting ideas. 

We desperately need more science books that not only help children make sense of the big challenges we're facing on our planet today, but also support them with how they feel about them and excite and inspire them about the potential of science to come up with solutions.  

I’m super excited to get started on reading the books and to be inspired by all the brilliant writers and illustrators, who are out there making science fun and accessible for young people."  

The Young People's Book Prize aims to inspire young people to read about science and promotes the writing of excellent, accessible science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) books for under-14s. 

The winner of the Young People’s Book Prize 2023 was Am I made of Stardust? by Maggie Aderin-Pocock.