The Federation of Children's Book Groups (FCBG) is delighted to announce the shortlist for the highly anticipated 2025 Children's Book Award. As the only national award voted for entirely by children, this prestigious prize celebrates the best in children's literature, showcasing stories that have captured young readers' imaginations across the UK. The award, now in its 45th year, has a rich history of recognising outstanding children's books, with past winners including J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Louie Stowell, Malorie Blackman, Anthony Horowitz and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times.

The 2025 FCBG Children's Book Award Shortlist

This year’s shortlist features a diverse range of books that reflect the creativity and brilliance of contemporary children's publishing. The shortlisted titles, spanning Books for Younger Children, Books for Younger Readers, and Books for Older Readers, are:

Books for Younger Children

A Wild Walk to School - written and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, published by Macmillan

Grotti - written and illustrated by Leonie Lord, published by Walker

My Friend Andy - written and illustrated by Emma Chinnery, published by Little Tiger

The Bridges - written and illustrated by Tom Percival, published by Simon and Schuster

Books for Younger Readers

I am Rebel - written by Ross Montgomery, published by Walker

Spooksmiths Investigate: The Cinderman - written by Alex Atkinson, published by Usborne

Turtle Moon - written by Hannah Gold and illustrated by Levi Pinfold, published by HarperCollins

Books for Older Readers

The Clockwork Conspiracy - written by Sam Sedgman and illustrated by Stephanie Shafer, published by Bloomsbury Children’s

Ditching Saskia - written by John Moore and illustrated by Neetols, published by Flying Eye

Seven Million Sunflowers - written by Malcolm Duffy, published by Zephyr

Voting for the 2025 FCBG Children's Book Award Winner

Children nationwide are now invited to vote for their favourite of the ten shortlisted books. The deadline for online voting is 12 noon on Friday 9th May. The category winners and the author of the best children’s book published in 2024 will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Saturday 7th June, and will be live streamed via the FCBG YouTube channel. The overall winner will be awarded the Children’s Book Award Silver Tree, of which they are the custodian for a year, and an engraved silver acorn which is theirs to keep. Each of the category winners receive an engraved glass book page and each shortlisted author and illustrator will also receive an incredible portfolio of writing and artwork created by children inspired by their book.

Online voting will open on Monday 31st March via: https://fcbg.org.uk/childrens-book- award-2025/

Sarah Stuffins, Children’s Book Award Coordinator, commented, “The Children's Book Award is unique in giving children a direct voice in celebrating the books they love most. This year’s shortlist represents an exciting mix of adventure, humour, and heartwarming stories that will inspire young readers everywhere. It is particularly heartening to see debut authors represented alongside more established names.”Shortlist

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