Art, Maths & the Words of Shakespeare - Shortlist Announced for the UK’s Only Award for Creative Educational Writing

The three outstanding books on this year's shortlist bring alive the rich language of Shakespeare, the endless possibilities of art, and the beautiful intricacies of maths for readers aged between 11-18 years.

OXFORD ILLUSTRATED SHAKESPEARE DICTIONARY 

Authors: David & Ben Crystal 

Illustrator: Kate Bellamy 

(Publisher: Oxford University Press) 

This illustrated dictionary, compiled by the renowned English language expert David Crystal and his Shakespearean actor and producer son Ben, aims to unlock the mysteries of Shakespeare's world, words and language. Over 4,000 words are clearly explained, with examples from the twelve most-studied and performed plays, and the book also includes thematic sections which illuminate a wide range of topics from Armour and Colours to Occupations and Ships.

Our judges said: Far more than a dictionary, thisvisually appealing treasure chest is fun as well as informative, and gives a real insight into Shakespeare's language and the rich world of his plays. With its wonderful variety of layout, colour and pace, you could spend hours with this book, dipping into the richness of Elizabethan life. There is an amazing range of information, from the finer points of swearing to the influence of cosmology and the details of armour. Whether you are encountering Shakespeare for the first time, or studying his work at A-level, it will help to make sense of the"unconsidered trifles" whilstalsoilluminating a world both familiar and strange.

THE SCHOOL OF ART 

Author: Teal Triggs 

Illustrator: Daniel Frost 

(Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions) 

Learn how to make great art with this illustrated collection of forty informative lessons, which introduces the key principles underpinning all good design, from composition and colour to line, shape and perspective. Each lesson is led by one of the School of Art's five expert professors who together demonstrate key concepts never previously brought together in a children's art compendium, and the book also includes a wealth of suggestions for art activities.

Our judges said: At a time when creative subjects are coming under increasing pressure in the secondary curriculum, this very well-executed book has enormous depth and breadth, and offers the opportunity for forty weeks of serious study and application for independently-minded students who would like to immerse themselves in the School of Art's friendly but challenging curriculum. Engagingly written, it is beautifully clear and light-hearted- but never childish, and has the potential both to build artists, and help the rest of us understand the techniques ofthe artworks we encounter.

THIS ISNOT A MATHS BOOK: A SMART ART ACTIVITY BOOK 

Author: Anna Weltman                          

Illustrators: Edward Cheverton & Ivan Hissey 

(Publisher: Ivy Kids) 

Discover how maths can be artistic, and art can be mathematical with this graphic activity book, full of drawing challenges that have a mathematical basis. From simple geometric patterns to fractal art, anamorphic art, and Celtic knots, discover the beauty in maths, and the maths in beauty. Whether you're a maths whizz or just a daring doodler, this book is a graphic guide to smart art.

Our judges said: This is of course, a maths book; just not maths as you thought you knew it. With sheer visual pleasure on every page, it makes you itch to take up a penciland get started on the designs. It's such an original idea: a book that marries art and maths and helps make sense of quite complex concepts without making you think you're doing anything in the slightest bit difficult. And it makes you so much more aware of the beauty of maths, and its close relationship to art. It taught us more about both subjects than we've learned in aeons!

Now in its ninth year, the Educational Writers' Award was established in 2008 by the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) and the Society of Authors (SoA) "to celebrate educational writing that inspires creativity and encourages students to read widely and build up their understanding of a subject beyond the requirements of exam specifications".

The 2016 Award focused on books for 11-18 year olds, published in 2014 and 2015.

This year's judges are secondary school English teacher and author Jonathan Lomas; award-winning author and international expert on adolescence Nicola Morgan; and school librarian Nicky Ransley.

The winner of the 2016 Educational Writers' Award will be announced at the All Party Writers Group (APWG) Winter Reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 6th December. The winning author will receive a cheque for £2,000.

#EWA16

EDITOR'S NOTES 

The Society of Authors (SoA) 

The Society of Authors is a trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators, and has been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century. The SoA administers many other prizes and grants, including the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award and the Betty Trask Award. It distributed more than £400,000 in prizes and grants in 2015.

societyofauthors.org

Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) 

Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) is a not-for-profit organisation for the benefit of all types of writers. Owned by its members, the ALCS collects money due for secondary uses of writers' work. It is designed to support authors and their creativity, ensure they receive fair payment, and see their rights are respected. It promotes and teaches the principles of copyright and campaigns for a fair deal. Today we represent around 90,000 members, and since 1977 have paid over £400 million to writers.

alcs.co.uk

2016 Educational Writers' Award#EWA16