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IBC Awards 2026

The Prize

Free to enter and with a total winners’ prize fund of £30,000, the IBC Awards celebrate the talent behind the best new inclusive children’s books published in the UK. 

We accept new books traditionally published in the UK between 1 November and 31 October in the following categories: 

  • Baby & toddler books (1–3)
  • Picture books (3–7) 
  • Highly illustrated children’s fiction (5–9)

A £10,000 prize will be shared between the winning author and illustrator in each category. Deadline for entries was 19 September 2025.

Submissions are now closed.

What we’re looking for

Submissions are limited to fictional stories except in the Baby & toddler books category (see Terms and conditions).

Books must also be naturally inclusive, including AT LEAST ONE of the following forms of representation at main-character level:

  • Ethnic minority
  • Disabled
  • Neurodivergence 
  • LGBTQIA+ 

Judges will also consider whether books offer any of the following:

  • An Own-Voice perspective (ie books by authors/illustrators who share the same cultural, ethnic or other identities as the characters they’ve created)
  • A challenge to gender stereotypes
  • Representation of diverse family structures (eg single-­­­­­­­parent, blended or same-sex parent families)
  • A diverse cast of characters beyond the main character

For more information on eligibility and how to submit, read our Terms and conditions. 

Timeline

  • Submissions open: 8 August 2025 
  • Submissions close: 19 September 2025
  • Longlist announced: November 2025
  • Shortlist announced: 12 January 2026
  • Winners announced: 25 February 2026

IBC award winners

Children’s Choice Awards

If you are a school teacher, librarian parent or caregiver interested in taking part in our new Children’s Choice Awards shadowing scheme for 2026, click here.

Meet the judges

Get to know the brilliant judges of the 2026 IBC Awards: Pragya Argawal, Scott Evans, Mei Matsuoka, Phyllis Ramage and Nina Tame.

Watch our brand-new YouTube video featuring the five-strong panel for insights on what the judges are looking for this year.

Read more about the judges