A book for all babies and toddlers:
Let’s Play wins IBC Awards 2026

About the book

The first novelty board book to win the prize, Let’s Play is a touch-and-feel interactive title with a simple yet wonderful aim: to engage and excite all babies and toddlers.

Through fun, tactile features, bright high-contrast imagery and keywords presented in both text and Braille, the book definitely delivers, inviting little ones and their grown-ups to respond to the text and illustrations using all their senses.

While exploring the pages, babies and toddlers will discover the smooth and bumpy spotted ball, the fluffy blue rabbit and the rough, colourful building blocks, all before getting tucked up for bed (watch out for the surprise guest under the covers!).

Strick’s joyful narrative, set in a satisfyingly chunky font, is purposefully short, simple and engaging.

Accessibility and inclusivity are also woven into the book’s whole design, thanks to the thoughtful work of Kubler and Dellow. Braille, sensory elements and a delightfully diverse cast of inquisitive baby characters make the book.

Despite being larger than the average board book, the size is well-judged for little hands and shared reading with adults, allowing maximum space for big, bright illustrations, perfect for young children with developing eyes and those who are visually impaired.

Created in memory of Wendy Cooling, founder of Bookstart, BookTrust’s flagship early years reading programme, it feels especially fitting for this board book to be celebrated with an award.

What the judges said about Let’s Play

Our judging panel praised Let’s Play:

For its simple yet joyful illustrations, rich tactile elements and subtle inclusion of Braille. Its inclusive design, including diverse characters, uncluttered pages and sensory-friendly features, makes it enjoyable for a wide range of young children.

Watch the IBC Awards Winners’ video

As well as being an author of several children’s books, Alex Strict is a public speaker and a former Deputy Director of BookTrust. She has managed national projects that support children, including young disabled people, and run initiatives to support publishers in maintaining authentic and inclusive representation in the books they produce.

Watch this fascinating video from Alex Strick, talking about the development of her IBC Award-winning book Let’s Play, including the challenge of writing for babies and toddlers and why books are so important for this age group:

Want to know more?

Annie Kubler has worked as a book publishing art director for the past 20 years and has illustrated many early years children’s books, including Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, which won the Sainsbury's Baby Book Award in 2002.

Sarah Dellow is a designer working in children’s publishing. She is credited as the author-illustrator of 19 books under the Child’s Play imprint, including Let’s Play. With her deep understanding of inclusivity and diversity, Sarah has also developed a board book series incorporating sign language, designed to promote early communication.

Read our IBC review of Let’s Play and find buying links.

Catch up on the 2026 IBC Awards ceremony.

Fabia Turner is Head of Content at IBC and the Founder of the Jericho Prize for Children’s Writing. She is also a former primary teacher and educational book editor with a love of children’s literature.