A guide to the best UK children’s book awards

Major industry awards

1. The Carnegies (Medal for Writing and Medal for Illustration)

What it celebrates: established in 1936, The Carnegies celebrate outstanding writing and illustration in fiction for children and young people. The two medals run as sister awards, with separate shortlists and then winners announced simulateously.

Who judges it: the judging panel comprises 14 children’s and youth librarians from the Library and Information Association’s (CILIP) Youth Libraries Group (YLG). Nominations come from CILIP members and partner bodies including BookTrust, The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), the National Literacy Trust (NLT) and the International Board on Books (IBBY).

What makes it distinctive: uniquely judged by librarians, it’s the UK’s longest-running children’s book awards in the UK. Winners receive a specially commissioned medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize. The Carnegies includes Shadowers’ Choice medals, voted for by thousands of children in school and library reading groups around the country, with winners receiving a golden medal and £500 to donate to a library of their choice.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winners were Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald (Faber) and Gill for Clever Crow illustrated by Olivia Lomenech, written by Chris Butterworth (Walker Books). The 2026 shortlist features some IBC top picks, including The Endless Sea illustrated by Linh Dao and written by Chi Thai (Walker); The Playdate illustrated by Clara Dackenberg and written by Uje Brandelius (Lantana), as well as the 2026 illustration winner Wiggling Words by Kate Rolfe (Two Hoots).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in March and winners in late June.

Website: The Carnegies

2. Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

What it celebrates: emerging talent in children’s literature. The prize is open only to authors and illustrators who have published no more than two or three books, depending on the awards category.

Who judges it: Waterstones booksellers across the country, with input from young readers at participating schools.

What makes it distinctive: first awarded in 2005, originally as the Ottakar’s Children’s Book Prize. it has helped launch the careers of book creators such as Dapo Adeola and Rob Biddulph. There are three categories: Illustrated Books, Younger Readers, and Older Readers. Each category winner receives £2,000, with an overall winner taking an additional £3,000 (£5,000 total) and a promise from Waterstones of ongoing commitment to the winner’s career in children’s books.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2026 overall winner was Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron (Puffin), which also won Best Illustrated Book. The winner of the Younger Readers category was Janeen Hat for Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree. The winner of the Older Readers category was S.F. Williamson for A Language of Dragons.

Key dates: shortlist is announced in January and winners in late March.

Website: Waterstones

3. IBC Awards (Inclusive Books for Children Awards)

What it celebrates: the best new inclusive children’s books published in the UK for 1- to 9-year-olds, across three awards categories: Baby and Toddler Books (ages 1–3), Picture Books (ages 3–7) and Highly Illustrated Children’s Fiction (ages 5–9). The Picture Book and Children’s Fiction categories focus purely on fiction.

Who judges it: a diverse panel of children’s literature experts, educators, authors, illustrators and disability/LGBTQIA advocates.

What makes it distinctive: books must be naturally inclusive, with at least one form of representation at main-character level. Books may also include an own-voice perspective. With a £30,000 prize fund (£10,000 shared between author and illustrator in each category), it is one of the most generously rewarded children’s book prizes in the UK. The Children’s Choice Awards, a shadowing scheme allowing primary school children to vote for their favourites shortlisted books runs alongside the main awards. Each winner is presented with a trophy and a gift of £250 worth of books made in their name to the school of their choice.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2026 winners were Let’s Play by Alex Strick, Annie Kubler and Sarah Dellow (Child’s Play), The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane (Walker Books) and Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in January and winners in late February.

Website: IBC

4. The Klaus Flugge Prize

What it celebrates: the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration.

Who judges it: a panel chaired by literary expert Julia Eccleshare, including award-winning illustrators, the previous year’s winner and an educational consultant.

What makes it distinctive: The Klaus Flugge Prize is the only annual award in the UK to specifically recognise debut picture book illustrators. Created in 2016 in honour Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press, it is funded personally by Klaus Flugge but run independently of the publishing company. Winners receive £5,000.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner was IBC top pick My Hair Is as Long as a River illustrated by Emma Farrarons and written by Charlie Castle (Macmillan).

Key dates: shortlist is annnounced in mid-May and the winner is early September.

Website: The Klaus Flugge Prize

5. The British Book Awards (The Nibbies)

What it celebrates: excellence across the entire book trade, with multiple categories spanning Books of the Year and Book Trade Awards. Children’s book sub-categories include Children’s Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction & Illustrated, Children’s Publisher of the Year, and Children’s Bookseller of the Year.

Who judges it: chaired by Philip Jones, editor of trade magazine The Bookseller, the judging panels comprise well-known authors, illustrators, editors, critics, booksellers, broadcasters and journalists.

What makes it distinctive: run by The Bookseller, The Nibbies are the trade’s flagship awards, recognising not just books but the agents, editors, publishers, booksellers and others who bring new exciting titles to readers. Winners benefit from potential sales boosts and recognition, rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 Children’s Fiction winner was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney (Puffin). Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler won Children’s Illustrated. Previous winners of the Children’s Illustrated Award include IBC top pick Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate (2023) and Hey You! by Dapo Adeola (2022).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in March and winners are celebrated at a ceremony in May.

Website: The Bookseller

6. The Week Junior Book Awards

What it celebrates: the best in children’s literature across 14 categories, spanning fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks, STEM, picture books, poetry, graphic novels, wellbeing, animals and nature, hobbies and interests, and Children’s Choice and Cover of the Year.

Who judges it: judging panels include authors, illustrators, broadcasters, teachers, librarians and The Week Junior readers (who vote on Children’s Choice and Cover of the Year).

What makes it distinctive: aimed at engaging children over 5 years, this is a relatively new award (now in its third year) that recognises an unusually broad sweep of children’s publishing across a range of book formats. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: a notable win was There’s a Tiger on the Train by Mariesa Dulak, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb (Faber & Faber), which won Children’s Book of the Year in 2025 and can be found on IBC website. The 2026 shortlist also features titles across categories that can be found on the IBC website, including Pia's Pet Club: Puppy Problem by Serena Patel and Emma McCann (Usborne), The Other Father Christmas by Serena Holly and Shahab Shamshiraz (Storymix Books), The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip! by Farhana Islam and Simran Diamond Singh (Farshore), The Poetry World of John Agard by John Agard and Shirley Hottier (Otter-Barry Books), The Best Jollof Rice Ever! by Onyinye Iwu (Otter-Barry Books) and Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in early June and winners at a ceremony in central London in late September.

Website: The Week Junior

7. The Children’s Booker Prize

What it celebrates: the best children’s fiction from writers around the world, aimed at engaging and growing a new generation of readers.

Who judges it: a unique blended panel of three adult judges, and three child judges aged 8 to 12. The 2027 adult panel will comprises Frank Cottrell-Boyce (current Waterstones Children’s Laureate and inaugural Chair), actor and comedian Lolly Adefope, and bookseller Sanchita Basu De Sarkar.

What makes it distinctive: the inaugural year of the Children’s Booker Prize will be 2027. The Booker Prize has rewarded and celebrated world-class talent for over 55 years, and this is the first major new prize from the Booker Prize Foundation in two decades.The winner will receive £50,000, with each shortlisted author receiving £2,500 (split between author and translator or illustrator where relevant). Each year, 30,000 copies of the shortlisted and winning titles will be gifted to children who need them most, and the inaugural ceremony in February 2027 will inlcude an exciting takeover of the Young V&A.

Recent shortlists/winners: the shortlist of eight books, along with the three child judges, will be announced on 24 November 2026.

Key dates: shortlist will be announced on 24 November 2026 and the winner at a ceremony at the Young V&A on 2 February 2027.

Website: The Booker Prizes

Awards judged by teachers and librarians

8. UKLA Book Awards

What it celebrates: outstanding new children’s books, judged entirely by teachers across 4 age categories: 3–6+, 7–10+, 11–14+ and Information Books for ages 3–14+.

Who judges it: there are around 85 teacher judges in total each year, with approximately 12 nominated to form the final judging panel.

What makes it distinctive: it is the only national children’s book awards judged entirely by teachers, run by the UK Literacy Association. The judging process emphasises positive, empowering or innovative representation of children’s lives, alongside literary merit. There is also a Shadowers’ Choice element involving schools and student teachers. Winners benefit from a recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: in 2025, Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald (Faber & Faber) won the 11 –14+ category, also taking the Shadowers’ Choice. IBC top pick Gina Kaminski Saves a Wolf by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin (Little Tiger) won the 3–6+ category. Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan won 7–10+, and Brilliant Black British History by Atinuke and Kingsley Nebechi won Information Books 3–14+.

Key dates: shortlists are annouced in March and winners in late June at the UKLA International Conference.

Website: UKLA

9. English 4–11 Picture Book Awards (English Association)

What it celebrates: the best children’s picture books of the year, with awards for Fiction and Non-Fiction in two age ranges (4–7 and 7–11). It also awards the Margaret Mallett Prize for Children’s Non-Fiction.

Who judges it: the editorial board of English 4–11 (the magazine for primary teachers, published jointly by the English Association, NATE and UKLA) selects the winners. The editorial board is made up of teachers and primary education specialists. There is also a shadowing scheme which helps select the winner of the Margaret Mallett Prize, which is free to participate in, and members of the EA in the shadowing scheme receive free copies of longlisted books.

What makes it distinctive: established in 1995, this is one of the longer-running picture book prizes in the UK. The judges look specifically for books where words and images are of equal importance and demonstrate genuine synergy. The prize is free to enter, with submissions accepted from independent publishers and self-published authors. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2026 winners were: A Winter’s Morning by Angelique Leone and Gregoire Solotareff (Post Wave) for Fiction 4–7, Tuck Me In by Nathan W. Pyle (Hachette) for Non-Fiction 4–7, The Great Bear by Annie Booker (Macmillan)for Fiction 7–11, and How to Save Your Granny From a Runaway Train by Swapna Haddow and Jess Bradley (Red Shed) for Non-Fiction 7–11. The winner of the Margaret Mallett Prize in 2026 was IBC top pick Leave the Trees, Please by Benjamin Zephaniah and Melissa Castrillon.

Key dates: submissions open in November and close in late January. Shortlists are announced in April and winners in late April, with celebrations at the English Association Conference in June.

Website: English Association

10. School Library Association Information Book Award

What it celebrates: the best in children’s non-fiction, across three age categories: Under 7s, 8–12s and 13–16s. The award supports school librarians to celebrate the value of information books for children of all ages.

Who judges it: a panel of expert judges including authors, industry figures and school librarians selects the winners. Schools and children participating in the IBA Book Club vote separately for the Children’s Choice in each category and an overall favourite.

What makes it distinctive: run by the School Library Association, this award is now in its 15th year and is sponsored by DK. Each age category has two winners (Judges’ Choice and Children’s Choice). With funding from ALCS, schools that sign up early can receive free sets of shortlisted books. Three schools also receive a Golden Bookmark allowing them to present the Children’s Choice awards at the ceremony. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: included in the 2026 Under 7s shortlist was IBC-reviewed A Billion Ways to Be by Chitra Soundar and Ana Sanfelippo (Franklin Watts). In 2025, the Judges’ Choice winners were This Book Will Make You an Artist by Ruth Millington, illustrated by Ellen Surrey (Nosy Crow) for Under 7s; Inside Story: How the News Works by ITN Productions, illustrated by Terri Po (Templar Books) for 8–12; and Black History for Every Day of the Year by David, Yinka and Kemi Olusoga (Macmillan) for 13–16. The overall Children’s Choice winner was Amazing Asia, written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Jason Lyon (Quarto).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in January and winners in the summer term.

Website: SLA

Awards championing diverse voices

11. Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize

What it celebrates: outstanding books for children and young adults written by British or British-resident writers of colour in the UK and Ireland. It’s open to all a range of book formats inlcuding children’s novels, picture books and graphic novels.

Who judges it: a panel of writers and industry figures, including past winners.

What makes it distinctive: the Children’s & YA prize has been running since 2020. There is also a prize for adult fiction and non-fiction as well as a poetry prize. Winners receive £1,000, a unique trophy created annually by an artist of colour through the Jhalak Art Residency, and a two-year complimentary membership for The London Library. In Hindi and related Northern Indian dialects, ’Jhalak’ means ’glimpse’ so feels fitting for a competition that seeks to uncover under-represented talent in the UK.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner was Nathanael Lessore for King of Nothing (Hot Key). This year, IBC Award winner Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow) has been shortlisted.

Key dates: shortlists are announced in mid-April and winners in June.

Website: Jhalak Prize

12. The Diverse Book Awards

What it celebrates: the best diverse books in the UK and Ireland across six categories: Picture Books, Children’s Books, Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction Adult, Non-Fiction Young Readers (from Picture Books to YA).

Who judges it: a panel of authors, young readers, bloggers and book industry experts. There is also a Readers’ Choice Award where the public can vote for their favourite from the longlist.

What makes it distinctive: now in its sixth year, the awards were created by award-winning author Abiola Bello and award-winning publicist Helen Lewis. There is also a Malorie Blackman Impact Award, endorsed by the bestselling author herself, where they honour an author, illustrator or poet who has made a strong impact in publishing. The winner demonstrates a long-standing, unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity in publishing. Copies of nominated books are donated to UK schools, libraries and hospitals, with schools able to apply for free copies of up to four books. Submissions are accepted from self-published/indie authors and publishers.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winners were IBC top pick Until You Find the Sun by Maryam Hassan and Anna Wilson (Hodder) for Best Picture Book; Birdie by J. P. Rose (Andersen Press) for Best Children’s Book; Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence for Best Young Adult Book. This year’s runners-up in the picture book category are also listed by IBC: The Boy Who Loves to Lick the Wind by Fiona Carswell and Yu Rong (Otter-Barry), and Olu’s Teacher: A Story About Starting Nursery by Jamel C. Campbell and Lydia Mba (Walker Books).

Key dates: longlists are announced mid-to-late July, shortlist are announced in mid-September and winners at a ceremony in mid-to-late October.

Website: The Diverse Book Awards

IBC Awards

We could not end this section without another mention for the Inclusive Books for Children Awards (IBC Awards), as the prize specifically champions inclusive and diverse voices. The awards focus on representation across baby books, picture books and highly illustrated children’s fiction (see full entry above, under ’Major industry awards’).

Awards judged by children

13. FCBG Children’s Book Award (Federation of Children’s Book Groups)

What it celebrates: the most popular new children’s books across three categories: Books for Younger Children, Books for Younger Readers and Books for Older Readers, and an overall winner.

Who judges it: children who are part of the FCBG’s nationwide network of local Children’s Book Groups select the shortlists, and any child in the UK can vote for the eventual winners.

What makes it distinctive: now in its 45th year, this is the only national award voted for entirely by children from start to finish. Last year over 85,000 votes were cast throughout the awards process. Past winners include Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz, and Michael Morpurgo (with a record four wins). Each shortlisted author and illustrator receives a portfolio of writing and artwork created by children inspired by their book. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner of the Younger Children’s category was Grotti by Leonie Lord (Walker). The winner of the Younger Readers’ category and overall winner was I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery (Walker). The winner of the Older Readers’ category was Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy (Zephyr). IBC Award winner Supa Nova, written and illustrated by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow), has made the shortlist for 2026.

Key dates: shortlists are announced late February/early March and winners at a ceremony in early June, livestreamed on the FCBG YouTube channel.

Website: FCBG

14. Spark! School Book Awards

What it celebrates: the best new books for school readers across five age categories from Early Years to Secondary, plus an annually revised guest category. The award is rooted in introducing children to new authors and encouraging them to read more widely.

Who judges it: panels of teachers, librarians and educational professionals select the longlists and shortlists. Pupils in participating schools nationwide vote for the winners.

What makes it distinctive: now in its 7th year, the prize is run by a registered charity working in partnership with The Open University. It originated in the London boroughs of Kingston and Richmond and now has a reach right across the UK. The guest category has spotlighted graphic novels, poetry and non-fiction. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025/26 winners were Once I Was a Tree by Eoin McLaughlin & Guilherme Karsten (Nosy Crow) for Picture Fiction for Early Readers, Wild Magic: Legend Of The Black Lion by Abiola Bello & Emma McCann (Simon & Schuster) for Fiction for ages 7+, Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson (Usborne) for Fiction for 9+, I Dare You by Tamsin Winter (Usborne) for 11+, and Choose Your Own Evolution by Jules Howard & Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow) for the Guest Non-fiction category.

Other books listed by IBC: Avocado Asks: What Am I? by Momoko Abe (winner of 2020/21 Picture Fiction for Early Years) and The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. by Jen Carney (winner of 2021/22 Fiction for 7+).

Key dates: longlists are announced in December, shortlists are annouced in January and winners during an online ceremony in late June.

Website: Spark! School Book Award

15. The Excelsior Award

What it celebrates: the best graphic novels and manga published for 9- to 18-year-olds across four age-appropriate shortlists: White (9+), Blue (11+), Red (14+) and Black (16+).

Who judges it: students aged 9–18 in over 200 participating schools and colleges across the UK and beyond, who rate each book as they read them.

What makes it distinctive: the UK’s only fully independent, nationwide book award for graphic novels and manga, originally launched in 2011 as the Stan Lee Excelsior Award. Aims both to encourage reading among teenagers and raise the profile of graphic novels and manga in school libraries. Schools also compete for the ‘True Believers Award’ (most rating forms returned) and the ’Nuff Said Award’ (best library display). Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 overall winner, chosen by UK students, was Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel (Faber & Faber), an adaptation of Golding’s 1954 novel running over 350 pages.

Key dates: registration opens in November. Shortlists are announced in December and winners in July.

Website: Excelsior Award

Awards judged by booksellers

16. Indie Book Awards

What it celebrates: the best paperbacks across four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Picture Books.

Who judges it: independent booksellers across the UK and Ireland.

What makes it distinctive: coordinated as part of Independent Bookshop Week each June and run by The Booksellers Association, it is the only prize for authors and illustrators judged by, and given on behalf of, independent bookshops. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 Children’s Fiction category was won by Ghostlines by Katya Balen, and the Picture Book prize went to The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly. On the 2026 shortlist in the Picture Book category is IBC top pick Seven Babies by Forest Xiao (Walker).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in spring and winners during Independent Bookshop Week (mid-to-late June).

Website: Booksellers Association

17. Nero Book Awards

What it celebrates: outstanding writing across four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Debut Fiction and Children’s Fiction. Each category winner then competes for the overall Nero Gold Prize for ‘Book of the Year’.

Who judges it: expert panels of authors, booksellers and journalists for category shortlists. This year, Children’s Fiction is judged by author Sharna Jackson, The Telegraph children’s literary critic Emily Bearn and Waterstones Children’s Campaign Manager Nick Campbell.

What makes it distinctive: launched in 2023, this fairly new prize is run as not-for-profit by family-owned coffee house group Caffè Nero, in partnership with The Booksellers Association and Brunel University of London. It is the only set of multi-category awards open exclusively to writers based in the UK and Ireland. Category winners receive £5,000; the Gold Prize winner receives £30,000.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 Children’s Fiction winner was My Soul, A Shining Tree by Jamila Gavin MBE (Farshore).

Key dates: shortlists are announced in November with category winners in mid-January. The Gold Prize is announced at a ceremony in early March.

Website: Nero Book Awards

Note: although it’s categorised under ‘Major Awards’ for this blog post, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize is also judged by booksellers and young readers from participating schools across the country.

Specialist awards

18. CLiPPA (CLPE poetry award)

What it celebrates: the year’s best new poetry for children.

Who judges it: a panel chaired by long-established and contemporary poets, alongside teachers, representatives from the children’s literary community and previous winners. IBC publisher liaison team member, Jake Hope, is on the panel for 2026.

What makes it distinctive: established in 2003 and run by the CLPE, it is the UK’s leading award for published children’s poetry. The CLiPPA shadowing scheme is a major feature that is free for schools, with over 40,000 children involved annually and performing shortlisted poems. The winner receives £1,000 and a trophy, plus a special recording for the National Poetry Archive.

Recent shortlists/winners: IBC top picks that made the 2025 shortlist are: Big Red Dragon by Jane Newberry (Otter-Barry), and We Are Family by Oliver Skyes, illustrated by Ian Morris (Otter-Barry). Among the 2026 shortlist, The Poetry World of John Agard by John Agard, illustrated by Shirley Hottier (Otter-Barry), and Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (Walker), all of which feature on the IBC website.

Key dates: the shortlist is announced in late April and winners at the awards ceremony in late June.

Website: CLPE

19. Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize

What it celebrates: the best science books for under-14s, aiming to promote literacy among young people and inspire them to read about science.

Who judges it: a shortlisting panel of scientists, authors and a teacher selects six titles. The winner is then chosen by judging panels made up of over 11,000 young readers from over 600 schools, youth groups and reading clubs across the UK.

What makes it distinctive: now in its 35th year, this is one of the longest-running children’s non-fiction prizes. The winning author receives £10,000 and shortlisted authors receive £2,500 each.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner, announced in April 2026, was The Wild Life of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals by Mike Barfield, illustrated by Paula Bossio (Buster Books).

Key dates: the shortlist is announced in mid-November and the winner at a ceremony in April.

Website: The Royal Society

20. The Alligator’s Mouth Award

What it celebrates: the best highly illustrated fiction for children aged 6–8. The award champions both authors and illustrators.

Who judges it: a panel comprising the previous year’s winner and the co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop, alongside a mix of children’s authors and illustrators, school librarians and teachers, and prominent names in the children's book industry. 

What makes it distinctive: co-launched in 2018 by The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop in Richmond and The Bright Agency, the award specifically focuses on illustrated early fiction, an often overlooked category that is vital for capturing readers early. Coram Beanstalk runs a competition enabling UK primary schools to win full sets of longlisted books, while book wholesaler Gardners offers independent bookshops up to 50% discount on longlisted titles. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner was Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer (OUP). The 2025 shortlist included IBC top pick Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke, illustrated by Emily Hughes.

Key dates: shortlist is annouced in May and the winner at the awards party in early July.

Website: The Alligator’s Mouth

21. Young Quills Award for Historical Fiction

What it celebrates: outstanding historical fiction for children and young people aged 5–14+. The awards are split into four age categories.

Who judges it: children and young people in schools across England review longlisted books against the award’s criteria, and their reviews form the basis of the shortlist. A final adult judging panel of historians, authors and literacy experts selects the winners.

What makes it distinctive: run by the Historical Association and unique in that young readers themselves shape the shortlist, the four key awards criteria assess whether each book is a good read, has good historical content, embeds history into the story rather than as a backdrop, and inspires further interest in the period. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winners across age categories included Birdie by JP Rose (Anderson Press), King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell (Walker Studio), The Boy, the Witch and the Queen of Scots (Luath Press) by Barbara Henderson, Roman Boy by Tony Bradman (Walker), The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (Rock the Boat), Cobalt by Sue Klauber (Troika Books), and Shadow Creatures by Chris Vick (Zephyr).

Key dates: shortlist announced in May and winners in Autumn.

Website: History Association

22. Lollies (The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards)

What it celebrates: the funniest children’s books in the UK and Ireland across four categories: Picture Books, Fiction 6–8 years, Fiction 9–12 years and Non-Fiction.

Who judges it: a judging panel led by founding judge Michael Rosen selects the shortlists. The winners are voted for entirely by children nationwide.

What makes it distinctive: created by Scholastic UK in 2015 following the end of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. One of the very few awards where winners are determined by children’'s votes alone. Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report: UK Edition found that nearly two-thirds of children aged 6–17 chose ’books that make me laugh’ as their top pick when reading for pleasure. Winners benefit from recognition rather than direct prize money.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winners were There’s Nothing Faster Than a Cheetah by Tom Nicoll and Ross Collins (Picture Books), Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel (6–8), Evil Emperor Penguin: The World Will Be Mine! by Laura Ellen Anderson (9–12), and Kay’s Incredible Inventions by Adam Kay (Non-Fiction). Shortlisted titles on the IBC wesbite included Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster! by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster) and Keisha Jones Takes on the World by Natalie Denny and Chanté Timothy (Little Tiger).

Key dates: shortlists announced in mid-July and winners at a ceremony in early December.

Website: Scholastic UK

23. Branford Boase Award

What it celebrates: excellent debut novels for children and young adults aged 7+ by first-time writers. It also recognises the vital part book editors play in spotting and nurturing new writing talent.

Who judges it: a mixed panel of authors, teachers, librarians and/or former winners of the award. Julia Eccelshare, director of Hay Festival and co-founder of the Branford Boase Award, often chairs the judging panel.

What makes it distinctive: co-founded by Anne Marley MBE and Julia Eccleshare MBE, the annual award was set up in honour of gifted author Henrietta Branford and former Editorial Director of Walker Books, Wendy Boase, who both died in 1999. It is unque in celebrating not only talented new authors, but their editors too. Winning authors and editors are each given a trophy. In addition, the winning author receives a prize of £1000.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner was Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald (Faber) with Alice Swan and Ama Badu picking up the Winning Editors award.

Key dates: submissions open in October, longlists announced in January, shortlists in April and the winners are announced first week of July.

Website: Brandford Boase Award

24. BookTrust Storytime Prize

What it celebrates: the best book for sharing with children aged 0-5.

Who judges it: a mixed panel of authors, teachers, librarians and/or former winners of the award. Julia Eccelshare, director of Hay Festival and co-founder of the Branford Boase Award, often chairs the judging panel.

What makes it distinctive: co-founded by Anne Marley MBE and Julia Eccleshare MBE, the annual award was set up in honour of gifted author Henrietta Branford and former Editorial Director of Walker Books, Wendy Boase, who both died in 1999. It is unque in celebrating not only talented new authors, but their editors too. Winning authors and editors are each given a trophy. In addition, the winning author receives a prize of £1000.

Recent shortlists/winners: the 2025 winner was Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald (Faber) with Alice Swan and Ama Badu picking up the Winning Editors award.

Key dates: submissions open in October, longlists announced in January, shortlists in April and the winners are announced first week of July.

Website: BookTrust Storytime Prize

Children’s book awards: summary of key dates

Here is a reminder of all the key children’s book awards dates for your diaries so you are always in the know:

• January: Spark! School Book Awards shortlists, Nero category winners
• February: Carnegie longlists, Waterstones shortlist, Klaus Flugge longlist, IBC Awards winners, FCBG shortlist
• March: Carnegie shortlist, Nero Gold Prize, Waterstones winners, Nibbies shortlist, Young Quills longlist
• April: Klaus Flugge shortlist, English 4–11 winners, CLiPPA shortlist, Jhalak shortlist, Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize winner
• May: Nibbies winners, Young Quills shortlist, Alligator’s Mouth shortlist
• June: Carnegie winners, FCBG winners, UKLA winners, CLiPPA winner, The Week Junior shortlist, Indie Book Awards winners, Jhalak winner
• July: Excelsior winners, Young Quills winners, Alligator’s Mouth winner, Lollies shortlists
• September: Klaus Flugge winner, UKLA longlists, Diverse Book Awards shortlist
• October: Diverse Book Awards winners
• November: Nero shortlists, Royal Society shortlist, SLA Information Book Award winners
• December: Lollies winners, Excelsior shortlists

Other prizes for children’s writing and illustration

Here are a few other children’s book prize we’d really like to highlight but didn’t make the guide as they are not for traditionally published books, or are not currently running.

Writing competitions, such as the Jericho Prize and All Stories do vital work in supporting emerging and under-represented writing talent, as does the Fab Prize, which spans writing and illustration. These prizes are well worth knowing about if you’re keen to support up-and-coming children’s authors and illustrators.

The Adrien Prize, an inclusive award for published children’s books with positive disability representation didn’t run last year but it is another important inclusive prize to mention.

Why are book awards important?

Children’s book awards matter because they do three important things all at once. Firstly, as mentioned earlier, they help buyers cut through the sheer volume of new books published each year to find those worth purchasing for children. Secondly, they give talented authors and illustrators recognition that can shape their careers, lifting a debut out of obscurity or sending sales of a quiet masterpiece soaring. And thridly, book awards send important messages to the wider children’s publishing industry about what real buyers and young readers value in books we celebrate and the voices that are heard.

That last point is exactly why we created the Inclusive Books for Children Awards. For all the brilliant book prizes already out there, inclusive children’s books reflecting the full range of children’s lives and backgrounds weren’t always getting the spotlight they deserved. We also included a Baby and Toddler category as this age group rarely features in other book awards. We believe every child in the UK should grow up able to find themselves in a book and the outstanding inclusive books helping them do so are too worth celebrating.

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