Specsavers Children's Book of the Year (Senior)

Shortlist 2025

Granny National by Rachael Blackmore

Granny National

By Rachael Blackmore, Rachel Pierce & Tom Snape

Rachael has had the best, most amazing, incredible idea! She’s determined to make her Granny’s lifelong dream of becoming a jockey come true … what could possibly go wrong?

Easter holidays on the farm with Granny and Grandad are always great fun for Rachael, her cousin, Tom, and bestie Frankie. But this year, things are different – Rachael’s cousin David is visiting from New York! What will he be like? Will he like the farm, the ponies Bubbles and G-Pip, or will he ruin all the fun?

When Rachael’s brilliant idea strikes, the gang must come together for Operation Granny National. They set out to help Granny live her dream of becoming a jockey. But will they pull it off? And what happens when everyone finds out what they’ve done? There’s bound to be BIG trouble ahead!

About Rachael Blackmore, Rachel Pierce & Tom Snape...

Rachael Blackmore MBE is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt and flat racing. In 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the 182-year history of the race.

Rachel Pierce is an editor, ghostwriter and writer based in Drogheda. As a ghostwriter, she has previously had two books shortlisted for an Irish Book Award: The Making of a Detective by Pat Marry and Lessons from the Bench by Judge Gillian Hussey.

Tom Snape is an illustrator living and working in West Yorkshire. After studying Fine Art in the hills of Cumbria, he worked as a Graphic Designer before returning to his first love of illustration.

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