Britain’s most prestigious literary award is about to get a little sibling, and it’s set to shake up the world of children’s books in a big way. The Booker Prize Foundation, known for its globally recognized Booker Prize for adult fiction, has announced a brand-new initiative: the Children’s Booker Prize, launching in 2026. The first winner will be crowned in early 2027, and the new prize is already generating excitement among authors, publishers, and—most importantly—young readers themselves.
The Children’s Booker Prize will celebrate outstanding fiction written for children aged eight to twelve, a group that, according to the National Literacy Trust, is in desperate need of fresh inspiration. Reports indicate that children’s reading for pleasure in the UK has hit its lowest level in two decades, a worrying trend for educators and parents alike. The Booker Foundation appears determined to do something about it. As Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, told The Guardian, the new prize is “the most ambitious endeavor” the foundation has tried since the launch of the International Booker in 2005. She added that the award aims to be “several things at once: an award that will champion future classics written for children; a social intervention designed to inspire more young people to read; and a seed from which we hope future generations of lifelong readers will grow.”
The mechanics of the prize are as innovative as its mission. Like its adult counterpart, the Children’s Booker Prize will accept submissions for fiction written in or translated into English, provided the book is published in the UK or Ireland. The submission window opens in spring 2026 for books published between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026. The shortlist of eight books—and the all-important panel of child judges—will be announced in November 2026, with the winner revealed at a dedicated event for young readers in February 2027.
Frank Cottrell Boyce, a beloved author and the current Waterstones English Children’s Laureate, will serve as chair of the inaugural judging panel. Cottrell Boyce, whose novels like Millions have charmed both children and adults, is clearly thrilled by the opportunity. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said, “I am absolutely buzzing about the news that I'm going to be chairing the judging panel. It's going to be—as they say—absolute scenes in there. Let the yelling commence.” He added, “This prize will make books more available for a lot of kids,” and predicted that it’s “going to really ignite a conversation.”
The judging process itself is a blend of experience and youthful perspective. Alongside Cottrell Boyce, two other adult judges—yet to be announced—will help select the shortlist. Then, in a move that’s as charming as it is radical, three child judges will join the panel to help choose the winning title from the eight semifinalists. As Gaby Wood put it to The Guardian, “We can’t wait to hear the views of the ultimate judges of the quality of children’s fiction: children themselves.”
Financially, the prize is nothing to sniff at. Shortlisted authors will each receive £2,500, while the winner will take home a hefty £50,000. The purse is funded in part by the AKO Foundation, a grant-giving charity with a focus on education, the arts, and climate initiatives. The Children’s Booker Prize is open to authors worldwide—so long as their books are published in the UK or Ireland in English or a translated version.
But the Foundation isn’t stopping at just handing out awards. In a bid to make a real difference, the Children’s Booker Prize will donate at least 30,000 copies of all shortlisted and winning titles every year. These books will be distributed through partnerships with organizations like the National Literacy Trust, The Reading Agency, Bookbanks, and the Children’s Book Project. This large-scale giveaway is designed to reach children who might not otherwise have access to new books, aiming to break down barriers to reading and help foster a love of literature across the country.
The response from the children’s literature community has been overwhelmingly positive. Dame Jacqueline Wilson, a previous Children’s Laureate, called the award “a marvellous idea.” Fellow author Anne Fine, referencing her own book, said, “When it comes to book prizes, we all say, The More The Merrier, and especially when it comes to writing for children, which has all too often been the overlooked Cinderella of the book world.”
According to the Associated Press, the official launch of the Children’s Booker Prize was announced on October 24, 2025. The prize will open for submissions early in 2026, with the inaugural award to be handed out in 2027. The jury, a mix of children and adults, will ensure that the perspectives of young readers are at the heart of the decision-making process.
The timing of the Children’s Booker Prize could hardly be more significant. The National Literacy Trust has declared 2026 the National Year of Reading, hoping to reverse the current decline in children’s reading habits. The Booker Foundation’s initiative dovetails neatly with this effort, offering not just recognition for outstanding children’s fiction but also a tangible boost to literacy and book access at a crucial moment.
For children’s authors, the bar has just been raised. The prospect of winning the Children’s Booker Prize—along with the prestige, prize money, and the chance to reach tens of thousands of new readers—will no doubt inspire a new wave of creativity. For young readers, the real excitement may come from seeing their own opinions shape the outcome of one of the world’s most significant literary prizes.
As the literary world looks ahead to 2026 and the first Children’s Booker shortlist, the sense of anticipation is palpable. Will this new prize help turn the tide on declining reading rates? Can it unearth future classics and ignite a lifelong love of books in a new generation? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: the story of the Children’s Booker Prize is just beginning, and it’s one that readers of all ages will want to follow.
