Today the shortlists for The British Book Awards 2023 Books of the Year have been announced. The children’s publishing shortlists demonstrate the commitment from writers and publishers to represent marginalised voices within their narratives, with typically under-represented characters featuring prominently in books across all three shortlists.

It has been a momentous 12 months for Julia Donaldson. Not only was she the UK’s biggest selling writer in 2022, but in the summer she surpassed Jamie Oliver to become the second-biggest selling author since records began; a matter of weeks later she became only the second writer to exceed sales of £200m, through the UK book market.

The twelve Book of the Year winners will be decided by separate panels, with judges including Channel 4 News lead anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy; broadcaster and author Anita Rani; musician Dan Smith; broadcaster and radio host Vick Hope, and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.

The 2023 Shortlists for Children's Books are:

Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year supported by LoveReading4Kids

What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks

The Baddies by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Supertato presents Jack and the Beanstalk by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet

The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman

Bunny vs Monkey: Rise of the Maniacal Badger by Jamie Smart 

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate 

Children’s Fiction Book of the Year supported by The Week Junior

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu 

Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera 

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell 

Children’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year supported by The Week Junior

Am I Made of Stardust?: Dr Maggie Answers the Big Questions for Young Scientists by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and illustrator Chelen Ecija 

A Better Day: Your Positive Mental Health Handbook by Dr Alex George and illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond 

Girlhood Unfiltered by Ebinehita Iyere 

You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference by Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka 

Queen Elizabeth: (Volume 88) Little People, BIG DREAMS by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrator Melissa Lee Johnson 

You Don’t Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl From Ukraine by Yeva Skalietska

Produced by The Bookseller, The British Book Awards, also known as the Nibbies, are the UK’s definitive celebration of books and reading. This year’s winners will be unveiled at a ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House London on 15th May 2023.