A former bingo caller from Manchester has done the city proud by winning a prestigious award for his book. Author Jarvis, from Salford, was presented the Oscar's book prize by HRH Princess Beatrice on the tenth anniversary of the awards.
Six other publications were up for the award however, Jarvis's book 'The Boy With Flowers In His Hair' won over the judges.
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As well as the Oscar's award, Jarvis took home a £10,000 literary prize. Jarvis joins the likes of Elizabeth Gaskell, Thomas De Quincey and Francis Burnett after winning the prestigious award.
The Boy With Flowers In His Hair is a picture book aimed at children.
Oscar's book prize was originally created by James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand. Both created the award to celebrate children's stories from around the world to give them recognition.
This was done in honour of their son, Oscar, who unfortunately passed away when he was three years old due to an undetected heart condition in December 2012.
Jarvis said when he won: "I could not be more delighted to have won this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize, and taking a look around the room and the incredibly talented authors and illustrators also shortlisted, it truly is an honour.
"I’ve always believed that picture books are a piece of art that everyone can own. This award celebrates the art and joy in children’s books and I am so pleased that my book, which focuses on poignant issues surrounding vulnerability and friendship, has been received so well.”
Jarvis had originally studied design at Salford University and was working on multiple creative projects. He previously had a part time job at a bingo hall before his success as an author.
He said: "(It) was a part-time job when I was at uni studying design at Salford University. I then did various creative jobs, from designing record covers to advertising. But I think writing started when I met my wife, Jenna.
"We had a big blackboard in our flat and I used to write her poems on it. Then I used to write poems to anyone who visited, then poems about the cat.
"And so that started me off writing, which was something I hadn’t done before. I started to put illustrations alongside the poems and that’s where it all began. Oscar’s Book Prize was set up with a love for children's books, and that’s why I do it - I love children's books.
"My winning book, The Boy With Flowers In His Hair was inspired by a painting I saw on a hotel wall on holiday of a woman with a flowery hat. I doodled a boy with flowers growing out of his head and that was the start. The pictures came first and the words followed."
HRH Princess Beatrice said: “ I am honoured to be a Patron of Oscar’s Book Prize. As befits this special tenth anniversary for the prize, the judges have chosen a truly unique book that the judges all felt is an instant modern classic.
"Its values of friendship and acceptance exemplify the very best tropes in picture book storytelling, all told with a gentle immersive world for its readers.
"It is also, in the Oscar’s Book Prize tradition, beautifully illustrated. Congratulations to Jarvis on his book, The Boy With Flowers in His Hair.”
Lisa De Meyer, Amazon Books UK manager said: “It is exciting to continue to support Oscar’s Book Prize as it reaches its tenth year.
"It’s important to be able to engage children with vibrant illustrations and moving stories and Jarvis has done this perfectly with this year’s winning book. We can’t wait to see what else Jarvis has in store!”
Jarvis is currently working on creating more stories for children around the world and wants to advice and inspire those who are thinking of getting into writing.
"Try things out, don’t be afraid to get it wrong. And ultimately try to be yourself and create as naturally as you can. Coming up, I’m working on my new book series BEAR AND BIRD, the second book in the series comes out in October!"
If you want to purchase Jarvis's book, you can find it on Amazon's website.
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