This year marks the 10th anniversary of the James Cropper Wainwright Prize. Named after nature writer Alfred Wainwright, the prizes are awarded to the work which best reflects Wainwright’s core values and celebrates nature and our natural environment, nurturing respect for our planet, or warning of the dangers to it across the globe. There are three prize categories: Nature Writing, Conservation Writing and Children's Writing

For the first time in the prize’s history – women dominate all three longlists, with 26 of the 36 titles having been written by female authors, including Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Mya-Rose Craig, Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave. To honour the 10th anniversary, this year’s prize fund will be increased to £10,000 which will be shared amongst the winning authors.

Communications and Campaigns Director of National Trust, Mark Furnell, chairs the Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation. Following a record number of submissions this year, the twelve longlisted books in the Children's Writing category are:

The Light in Everything by Katya Balen; illustrated by Sydney Smith
"A glowing story about learning to find room in your heart for new life and new love" - Julia Eccleshare

Spark by M. G. Leonard
"Not only is Spark is a skilfully crafted mystery adventure, it’s also a clarion call for environmentalists everywhere, and will, no doubt, help nurture a love of birds and nature in readers young and old." - Rob Biddulph, LoveReading4Kids Guest Editor September 2022

Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave; illustrated by Tom de Freston
"A compelling, emotional and beautifully illustrated story" - LoveReading4Kids review

The Zebra's Great Escape by Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
"A wild adventure celebrating children who don’t believe in bedtimes by a talented author-illustrator combo" - Andrea Reece

The Earth Book by Hannah Alice
With labelled acetate diagrams, this is an exciting way to explore all the amazing things our planet does.

Billy Conker's Nature-Spotting Adventure by Conor Busuttil 
Join Billy, a young conservationist as he explores ponds and forests, oceans and coral reefs, deserts, prairies, cities and more!

Protecting the Planet: The Season of Giraffes by Nicola Davies; illustrated by Emily Sutton
An ultimately inspiring story of how giraffes have dealt with modern climate change, beautifully told and illustrated.

Blobfish by Olaf Falafel
A heartfelt and humorous adventure from the bottom of the sea and beyond, following one fish on an epic journey. 

A Friend to Nature by Laura Knowles; illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
An illustrated book celebrating the natural world and ways to appreciate it, filled with practical activities and ideas to help wildlife and the environment on your doorstep and worldwide.

A Wild Child's Book of Birds by Dara McAnulty
Join brilliant young naturalist Dara McAnulty - winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize for his book Diary of a Young Naturalist - on a journey through a year in the life of birds. 

Archie's Apple by Hannah Shuckburgh; illustrated by Octavia Mackenzie
This enchanting and intricate picture book, illustrated with original watercolours, takes the reader on a journey from the discovery to the brink of world-wide fame and back again, and has much to tell us about the wild power of nature and the value of noticing.

Grandpa and the Kingfisher by Anna Wilson; illustrated by Sarah Massini
Life-affirming and lyrical, this beautiful picture book celebrates the awesome power of nature, while gently introducing young children to the concept of life and death. 

The prize’s shortlists will be announced on 10th August, and the winners will be announced live on 14th September at the James Cropper Wainwright Prize 10th Anniversary Celebration, held in partnership with the Kendal Mountain Festival. Tickets are available from today: https://tickets.kendalmountainfestival.com

Read about the longlists for the adult categories of Nature Writing, Conservation Writing over on LoveReading here

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