Julia Eccleshare
Encyclopedia
Julia Eccleshare is a leading British
journalist
and writer on the subject of children's books.
, and Liz, a history teacher.
Eccleshare was children's book editor of the Times Literary Supplement from 1974 to 1978.
She served as non-fiction and picture book
editor at Penguin Books
children's imprint Puffin Books
from 1978 to 1980, and as fiction editor at Hamish Hamilton
children's books from 1980 to 1984, before returning to freelance book reviewing.
From 1985 to 1993 she was the selector of the Children's Books of the Year annual exhibition and list, originally begun circa 1970 by the National Book League (later renamed Booktrust
). She has also served on many book award panels including the Whitbread Children's Book Award in 2001, and chaired the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize
panel from 2001 to its conclusion in 2007. In 2000 she co-founded the Branford Boase Award
for an outstanding novel for young people by a first-time writer, and continues to chair its panel of judges.
In 2000 she herself won the Eleanor Farjeon Award
in recognition of "her outstanding contribution to children's books".
Eccleshare is currently children's books editor for The Guardian
newspaper, and also regularly appears on BBC Radio 4
's Open Book and Front Row
programmes.
She is married and has four children, and lives in London.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and writer on the subject of children's books.
Life and career
Eccleshare was born in Cambridge and grew up in North London, the third of four children of Colin Eccleshare, a publisher with Cambridge University PressCambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
, and Liz, a history teacher.
Eccleshare was children's book editor of the Times Literary Supplement from 1974 to 1978.
She served as non-fiction and picture book
Picture book
A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. The images in picture books use a range of media such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor and pencil.Two of the earliest books with something like the format picture books still retain now...
editor at Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
children's imprint Puffin Books
Puffin Books
Puffin Books is the children's imprint of British publishers Penguin Books. Since the 1960s it has been the largest publisher of children's books in the UK and much of the English-speaking world.-Early history:...
from 1978 to 1980, and as fiction editor at Hamish Hamilton
Hamish Hamilton
Hamish Hamilton Limited was a British book publishing house, founded in 1931 eponymously by the half-Scot half-American Jamie Hamilton . Confusingly, Jamie Hamilton was often referred to as Hamish Hamilton...
children's books from 1980 to 1984, before returning to freelance book reviewing.
From 1985 to 1993 she was the selector of the Children's Books of the Year annual exhibition and list, originally begun circa 1970 by the National Book League (later renamed Booktrust
Booktrust
Booktrust is an independent British charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books. Established in 1992, it has received UK government funding since 2004, and inspired similar schemes in over 20 countries. In December 2010 it was announced that the government...
). She has also served on many book award panels including the Whitbread Children's Book Award in 2001, and chaired the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize
Nestlé Smarties Book Prize
The Nestlé Children's Book Prize, also known as the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, was an annual award given to children's books written in the previous year by a UK citizen or resident. The prize was administered by Booktrust, an independent charity which promotes books and reading, and sponsored by...
panel from 2001 to its conclusion in 2007. In 2000 she co-founded the Branford Boase Award
Branford Boase Award
The Branford Boase Award is a British literary award presented annually to an outstanding novel for young people by a first-time writer.Wendy Boase, Editorial Director of Walker Books and Henrietta Branford worked together previously to produce a great number of books. Both Wendy Boase and...
for an outstanding novel for young people by a first-time writer, and continues to chair its panel of judges.
In 2000 she herself won the Eleanor Farjeon Award
Eleanor Farjeon Award
The Eleanor Farjeon Award is made for distinguished service to the world of British children’s books and is given to someone whose commitment and contribution is deemed to be outstanding. Founded in 1966, it is presented annually in memory of the celebrated author Eleanor Farjeon...
in recognition of "her outstanding contribution to children's books".
Eccleshare is currently children's books editor for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper, and also regularly appears on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's Open Book and Front Row
Front Row (radio)
Front Row is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The BBC describes the programme as a "live magazine programme on the world of arts, literature, film, media and music." It is broadcast each week day between 7.15 and 7.45 and has a of highlights available for download. Shows usually include...
programmes.
She is married and has four children, and lives in London.
Works
Selected works include:- Children's Books of the Year, 1985; 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; London: National Book League/BooktrustBooktrustBooktrust is an independent British charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to engage with books. Established in 1992, it has received UK government funding since 2004, and inspired similar schemes in over 20 countries. In December 2010 it was announced that the government...
/Children's Book Foundation; in association with Andersen PressAndersen PressAndersen Press is a British book publishing company. It was founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge, and was named after Hans Christian Andersen. Random House has a holding in the company and has a strong association with Andersen....
from 1988. - Treasure Islands: the Woman's HourWoman's HourWoman's Hour is a radio magazine programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom.-History:Created by Norman Collins and originally presented by Alan Ivimey the programme was first broadcast on 7 October 1946 on the BBC's Light Programme . It was transferred to its current home in 1973...
guide to Children's reading, BBC Books, 1988 - British literature for young people: a bibliography 1990-2000, British CouncilBritish CouncilThe British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
, 2001 - A guide to the Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
novels, Continuum, 2002. (Contemporary Classics of Children's Literature series). - Beatrix Potter to Harry Potter: portraits of children's writers, National Portrait Gallery, 2002
- (with Nicholas TuckerNicholas TuckerNicholas Tucker is a British academic and writer who is an honorary Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex.He was educated at Burgess Hill School in Hampstead, London, where his English teacher was briefly Bernice Rubens...
), The Rough Guide to books for teenagers, London: Rough GuidesRough GuidesRough Guides Ltd is a travel guidebook and reference publisher, owned by Pearson PLC. Their travel titles cover more than 200 destinations, and are distributed worldwide through the Penguin Group...
, 2003 - (editor), 1001 children's books you must read before you grow up, Cassell, 2009.