Novel inspired by pandemic worry wins Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

The young author was awarded a £5,000 prize and a commitment from the book retailer to support her writing career.

The winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize has been announced (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)

Nadia Mikail has been named winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for her debut novel The Cats We Meet Along The Way, which was inspired by her experience of worrying about her family during the pandemic.

The young author, who is originally from Sarawak in Malaysia and currently studying law in London, was awarded a £5,000 prize and a commitment from the book retailer to support her writing career.

Set in Malaysia, her novel tells the story of Aisha who embarks on an eventful road trip with her family in a bid to find her estranged sister June as the world is due to end imminently.