The Wainwright Prize today announced its 2024 shortlist in the Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation category.

The Prize showcases writing that reflects its namesake Alfred Wainwright’s values of celebrating nature and our environment, nurturing respect for our planet, and informing readers of the threats that the earth currently faces. 

● Winning author of the 2023 Children’s category, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, and fellow esteemed children's author, Nicola Davies, have made history having been shortlisted every year since the category was introduced.

● For the second year in a row, women dominate the shortlists, with 6 female authors in the Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation – including former winner Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Katya Balen and Katherine Rundell out of the 8 shortlisted titles.

● This year’s Children’s category features a diverse mix of children’s fiction and non-fiction, including the very first graphic novel to be shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize – Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano.

● While confronting the realities of a world in crisis – from wildfires, the global waste industry and climate change anxiety – the shortlisted books offer solutions to fight environmental destruction, as well as a rallying cry to find peace and connection in the pockets of nature on all of our doorsteps.

The 2024 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation shortlist (listed alphabetically by author surname):

● Foxlight by Katya Balen

● The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson

● Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano

● Skrimsli by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jackie Morris

● Fly: A Child's Guide to Birds and Where to Spot Them by David Lindo, illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows

● Geomancer: In The Shadow of the Wolf Queen by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

● Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

● Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back by Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding

The judging panel brings together industry expertise, experience from some of the UK’s largest nature charities, authors, activists, booksellers, and scientific researchers.

Roisin Taylor, Co-Director at UK Youth for Nature, chairs the Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation. 

On the shortlist, Uju Asika, Judge for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation Prize, says: “Each one of these shortlisted books stood out for its literary excellence, offering something unique in terms of writing voice, art style, unforgettable characters, danger, and humour. Each one evokes nature at its wildest and most wondrous and made me feel like (or want to be) a better human being for having read it.”

The Wainwright Prize is working in close partnership with designer and illustrator Emily Wainwright to develop bespoke illustrations that will be threaded throughout this year’s visual campaign, including all design assets and the trophies presented to the three winners.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 11th September at a ceremony at Camley Street Natural Park, near Kings Cross in London, where a £7,500 prize fund will be shared.

The 2024 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation in detail:

The first graphic book to be shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize, Global by former Irish Children’s Laureate Eoin Colfer and author Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano, is a powerful and timely story about the real effects of climate change. It tells the tale of two young people on different continents who are both struggling to survive after their lives are catastrophically changed by global warming.

Another tale of adventure and journeys, Foxlight by Katya Balen, follows two twins into the ferocious wilderness in an attempt to find their mother. A heartwarming story, Balen’s book explores sisterhood, found family and accepting love in the most unknown places. LoveReading4Kids reviewer, Julia Eccleshare said this "mesmerising adventure story deftly tells of longing, hope, loving and loss as two sisters search for the story of their identity."

Immersive fantasy epics feature strongly in this year’s shortlist, including Katherine Rundell’s latest novel, Impossible Creatures, which follows an ordinary boy and a flying girl who become enmeshed in an adventure with a host of magical creatures and must face a number of demanding obstacles together. Described by LoveReading4Kids reviewer, Julie Eccleshare as, "An epic adventure set in a world of wonderful, mythological creatures, sometimes benign but frequently savage"

Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s latest novel, In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen, the first in the Geomancer trilogy, is an epic new fantasy about the magic of nature, the lure of power and the strength of love. Reviewing for LoveReading4Schools, Amy McKay called it "A richly-imagined new fantasy series about the power of nature and the strength of sisterly love"

Nicola Davies’ Skrimsli, illustrated by Jackie Morris, is a fantasy adventure set in a world where animals and humans can share their thoughts. A story full of excitement and danger, Skrimsli explores themes of friendship, loyalty, identity and love.

Giselle Clarkson’s The Observologist is a highly illustrated field guide for curious observers of the world right under our noses, featuring hundreds of bugs, creatures and creepy crawlies under the microscope to encourage budding natural scientists to get out and explore the great outdoors. LoveReading4Kids expert reviewer, Andrea Reece descibed it as, "An eye-opening book for young naturalists"

From the earth to the sky, Fly: A Child's Guide to Birds and Where to Spot Them by David Lindo, illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows, is an ideal introduction for children to the diversity of birdlife around the globe in a beautifully illustrated collection of more than 150 birds, packed with interesting facts and extraordinary species.

Another stunningly illustrated title, Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back by Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding, tells the story of the rewilding of the Knepp Estate in West Sussex. Featuring garden activities to 're-wild' your own spaces, Wilding encourages young readers to observe the natural world around them and start to understand the connections between species and habitat.

To find out more about the Wainwright Prize, visit www.wainwrightprize.com

#WainwrightPrize24 

Click on the books below to buy, read our reviews or to download an extract of any of the shortlisted titles.