Inclusive Books for Children Awards 2025: Shortlist Announced!

20 January, 2025

Inclusive Books for Children has announced the 12 titles shortlisted for its 2025 Awards. Now in their second year, the awards celebrate the best inclusive books published in the UK in the previous year across three award categories:

  • Books for babies and toddlers (ages 1-3)
  • Picture books for ages 3-7
  • Children’s fiction for ages 5-9

This year’s shortlist was selected by a panel of educators, authors, illustrators and journalists, including former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Judge Liz Pemberton said, ‘The books we shortlisted were vibrant, emotional and told some absolutely essential stories. Choosing the final shortlist was nearly impossible in some cases, and the length of deliberation on the judging day was a further reminder about the high quality of the submissions.’

Sarah Satha, co-founder of Inclusive Books for Children, said, ‘The storytelling across this collection is first-rate, taking us on profound emotional journeys, to whole new worlds, or on exhilarating adventures. The additional work and care that creators must undertake to make their stories inclusive takes that storytelling to the next level, making these books essential reading for a new generation of open-hearted young book lovers.’

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators!

Cover shots of the three shortlisted titles for the IBC Awards 2025 Baby and Toddler Category

Baby and Toddler Books: Shortlist 2025

Bhorta Bhorta Baby! by Jumana Rahman, illustrated by Maryam Huq (Bok Bok Books)

Zeki Eats Out by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson (Alanna Max)

Our World: Democratic Republic of the Congo by Mel Nyoko, illustrated by Joelle Avelino (Barefoot Books)

 

Cover shots of the five shortlisted titles for the IBC Awards 2025 Picture Book Category

Picture Books for Ages 3-7: Shortlist 2025

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf  by Craig Barr-Green, illustrated by Francis Martin (Little Tiger)

Until You Find the Sun by Maryam Hassan, illustrated by Anna Wilson (Hodder Children’s Books)

Strong Like Me by Kelechi Okafor, illustrated by Michaela Dias-Hayes (Puffin Books)

Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max (Walker Books)

Two People Can by Blessing Musariri, illustrated by Maisie Paradise Shearring (Kumusha Books)

 

Cover shots of the four shortlisted titles for the IBC Awards 2025 Fiction 5-9 Category

Children’s Fiction for Ages 5-9: Shortlist 2025

Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise by Adeola Sokunbi (Nosy Crow)

Keisha Jones is a Force of Nature by Natalie Denny, illustrated by Chanté Timothy (Little Tiger)

Marv and the Humongous Hamster by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles (Oxford Children’s Books)

Secret Beast Club: The Mer-People of Crystal Pier by Robin Birch, illustrated by Jobe Anderson (Puffin)

Inclusive Books for Children also run an open-access book review website showcasing high-quality inclusive books for children aged 0-9 to help parents, carers and educators build more inclusive book collections.

The winners of the Inclusive Books for Children Awards 2025 will be announced at a ceremony on 26th February. Look out for our winner announcement!