The world of children’s literature is poised for a major transformation as the Booker Prize Foundation, renowned for its prestigious adult fiction awards, has announced the launch of its first-ever Children’s Booker Prize. This ambitious new award, revealed on October 24, 2025, is being hailed by many as the biggest innovation in the Foundation’s two-decade history—and it’s set to make waves not just in the UK and Ireland, but across the globe.
Set to begin in 2026, with the inaugural winner announced in February 2027, the Children’s Booker Prize promises to celebrate the best contemporary fiction for children aged eight to twelve. The prize comes with a substantial reward: £50,000 for the winner, matching the sum awarded for the adult Booker Prizes. Shortlisted authors will each receive £2,500, ensuring recognition and financial support for a broader range of talented writers.
But the Foundation’s ambitions go far beyond financial accolades. According to Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, “The Children’s Booker Prize is the most ambitious endeavour we’ve embarked on in 20 years – and we hope its impact will resonate for decades to come.” As Wood told The Economic Times and other outlets, the initiative is designed to be much more than just another literary award. “It 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.”
In a move that sets this prize apart from its adult counterpart, the judging panel will be a unique blend of perspectives. The shortlist of eight books will be selected by a panel chaired by Frank Cottrell-Boyce—the UK’s Children’s Laureate for 2024-2026—alongside two other adult judges. But the final decision will rest in part with three child judges, recruited with the help of schools and cultural partners, who will join the adults to select the overall winner. This approach, as Cottrell-Boyce put it, ensures that “children are integral to the judging process.”
“Stories belong to everyone. Every child deserves the chance to experience the happiness that diving into a great book can bring,” Cottrell-Boyce said in a statement shared by the Booker Prize Foundation. “The Children’s Booker Prize will make it easier for children to find the best that current fiction can offer. To find the book that speaks to them. By inviting them to the judging table and by gifting copies of the nominated books it will bring thousands more children into the wonderful world of reading.” His enthusiasm for the project is palpable: “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.”
The Foundation is also putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to accessibility. At least 30,000 copies of the shortlisted and winning books will be distributed free of charge to children who need them most, in partnership with organizations such as the National Literacy Trust, The Reading Agency, Bookbanks, and the Children’s Book Project. This gifting initiative, Wood explained, is a direct response to concerns about declining reading rates among young people. “It’s so dismaying that only 30 percent of today’s children enjoy reading for pleasure – and yet there are so many exciting and enjoyable children’s books out there, many sinking without trace,” said Dame Jacqueline Wilson, beloved children’s author and former Children’s Laureate, in a statement published by The Guardian.
The award is open to authors worldwide, for books written originally in English or translated into English, provided they are published in the UK and/or Ireland within the eligibility window. If a translated book wins, the author and translator will share the prize equally—a rule that also applies to graphic novels and highly illustrated books, with the author and illustrator sharing the reward. The eligibility period for the inaugural prize runs from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2026, with submissions opening in spring 2026. The shortlist and the child judges will be announced in late November 2026, and the grand winner will be revealed at a high-profile event for young readers in February 2027.
Backing the initiative is the AKO Foundation, a charitable organization focused on improving education and the wellbeing of young people, promoting the arts, and combating the climate emergency. Philip Lawford, Chief Executive Officer of AKO Foundation, emphasized the broader benefits: “The evidence linking reading for pleasure to improved educational outcomes and greater social mobility is compelling, and this initiative aligns closely with our priorities as a funder. We are proud to contribute to a project that will inspire and empower young readers.”
It’s not just the Foundation and funders who are excited. The announcement has been met with widespread acclaim from across the literary world. Joseph Coelho, Children’s Laureate 2022-2024, called the prize “a brilliant way to invite children into the world of words through a celebration of books, authors and illustrators.” Cressida Cowell, Children’s Laureate 2019-2022, highlighted the challenge of capturing children’s attention in a world filled with distractions, saying, “Children are the toughest critics out there, so literature for children has to be created with the greatest expertise. It has to be exciting, adventurous, funny and wise.”
Chris Riddell, Children’s Laureate 2015-2017, applauded the holistic approach of the new prize, noting that “the books we read as children stay with us and shape our future tastes in literature.” Malorie Blackman, Children’s Laureate 2013-2015, underscored the importance of including children in the judging process, calling it “a timely and very welcome addition to the children’s book world.” Even Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Laureate 2003-2005, weighed in: “A Booker Prize for children will stimulate interest and excitement in books amongst children and amongst grownup children too, shining a light on great writing for children, and crucially, bringing more children to a love of reading, which is such a critical pathway to knowledge and understanding.”
Retailers and industry groups are also on board. Bea Carvalho, Head of Books at Waterstones, described the prize as a “gamechanger for any writers who are elevated by its shortlists,” while Fleur Sinclair, President of the Booksellers Association for the UK & Ireland, celebrated the new platform for children’s authors. Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, called the decline in children’s reading “a tragedy” and said the Booker’s move comes at a crucial time, especially as the UK prepares for the National Year of Reading in 2026.
British author Penelope Lively is set to give a keynote speech on the new prize at the Booker Prize ceremony in London on November 10, 2025, further cementing the award’s place in the literary calendar.
With its focus on inclusivity, global reach, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of readers, the Children’s Booker Prize is shaping up to be more than just a new trophy on the shelf. It’s a bold statement that children’s literature matters—and that the stories we share with young readers today will help shape the world of tomorrow.
