Information Book Award 2023 – Shortlist Announced!

12 June, 2023

The School Library Association has announced the shortlist for the Information Book Award 2023. Set up to highlight the importance of non-fiction as a genre and to celebrate the high standard of children’s information books, the award is now in its 13th year.

There are three age categories for the Information Book Award: 0-7, 8-12 and 13-16. This year’s shortlist of 10 books was selected from a longlist of over 30 titles by a panel of educators. Commenting on the shortlist, Chair of Judges Margaret Pemberton said: “The standard of books that are put forward for this award just keeps getting better. This year, the judges have had a wonderful range of subjects to read and the quality of writing, illustration and information has made this a really difficult and yet fascinating experience. Congratulations to all of the people involved, in publishing and the SLA, who have such a strong commitment to providing such high-quality books for young people.”

An important part of the Information Book Award is the Children’s Choice shadowing scheme. School can download the free supporting resources and take advantage of the 20% discount on packs of the shortlisted titles offered by specialist school book supplier Peters. Voting for the Children’s Choice Award will close on 31st October.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators!

Cover images of the three titles shortlisted for the 0-7 category of the SLA Information Book Awards 2023

Age 0-7 Shortlist

ABC Pride by Dr Elly Barnes MBE & Louie Stowell, illustrated by Amy Phelps (DK Children)

Do Bears Poop in the Woods by Huw Lewis-Jones, illustrated by Sam Caldwell (Thames & Hudson)

A Mathematician Like Me by Dr Shini Samara, illustrated by Nadja Sarell (Wren & Rook)

 

Cover images of the four titles shortlisted for the 8-12 category of the SLA Information Book Awards 2023

Age 8-12 Shortlist

The Big Book of Mysteries by Tom Adams, illustrated by Yas Imamura (Nosy Crow)

Lands of Belonging: A History of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Britain by Donna & Vikesh Amey Bhatt, illustrated by Salini Perera (Nosy Crow)

Talking History: 150 Years of World-Changing Speeches by Dr Joan Haig & Dr Joan Lennon, illustrated by André Ducci (Templar Publishing)

A World Full of Journeys and Migrations by Martin Howard, illustrated by Christopher Corr (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

 

Cover images of the four titles shortlisted for the 13-16 category of the SLA Information Book Awards 2023

Age 13-16 Shortlist

Choose Love by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horácek (Graffeg)

An Illustrated History of Ghosts by Adam Allsuch Boardman (Nobrow)

Masterpieces in Pieces: A Young Person’s Guide to Taking Great Art Apart by Ingrid Swenson & Mary Auld (Wayland)

Medicine: A Magnificently Illustrated History by Briony Hudson, illustrated by Nick Taylor (Big Picture Press)

The winners of the Information Book Award and the Children’s Choice Award 2023 will be announced at a ceremony during National Non-Fiction November. Look out for our winner announcement!

Find more children’s book awards here.

Information Book Award logo