The broadcaster and television presenter Edith Bowman has been announced as one of the judges of Booktrust’s Early Years Awards 2009.

The Awards celebrate the wide range of books being published today for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

The categories are:
· The best book for babies under one year old
· The best book for pre-school children, up to five years of age
· An award for the best emerging illustrator

Edith, who is best known for her afternoon slot on BBC Radio 1, was also the winner of Comic Relief does Fame Academy in 2004. In 2008 she became a mother for the first time.

Edith commented:
‘I'm over the moon to be involved in the Booktrust Early Years Awards - the timing couldn't be better. I love nothing better than getting home from work and reading my little boy a bedtime story before bed. I can see the importance of words and pictures, colours and story already in him and the reaction you get is quite mesmerising. So together Rudy and I plan to spend a great deal of time reading all the wonderful entries.’

Edith will join an illustrious panel which includes Bookstart founder Wendy Cooling MBE, librarian Jo Dixon, award-winning illustrator Neal Layton and health visitor Val Woolfe.

The Booktrust Early Years Awards honour books that demonstrate remarkable creativity in words, design and illustration necessary to encourage young children into reading.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA on Wednesday 23 September.