The Bookseller partners with The Week Junior to launch new children’s book awards

The Bookseller has joined forces with leading children’s magazine The Week Junior to launch The Week Junior Book Awards.

The aim of the awards is to address the lack of critical discourse around children’s literature caused by reduced review pages and underfunded libraries. They will shine a light on both established children’s authors and new, diverse voices, giving them a platform to promote their books to a wide audience.  

Entries for the awards will open on 6th March with nine categories: Fiction: Younger Readers (age 6–9); Fiction: Older Readers (9–12); Non-fiction: Younger Readers (6–9); Non-fiction: Older Readers (9–12); Illustrated Book (including Graphic Novels); Best Book By a New Author; Stem Book in association with The Week Junior Science +; Audiobook; and Cover of the Year.

The judging panel, led by The Week Junior’s editorial director Anna Bassi and The Bookseller’s editor Philip Jones will be announced in February. Entries close 6th April with shortlists announced 19th May. More than 100,000 The Week Junior readers will also have a seat at the voting table as they are invited to choose the Cover of the Year. All shortlisted authors, illustrators and publishers will then be invited to a drinks reception and awards ceremony taking place after The Bookseller Children’s Conference in London on 2nd October.

The winning titles will demonstrate original ideas, outstanding illustration, and smart storytelling that engage children’s curiosity and ignite their imaginations.

Bassi said: “We are very proud to launch these awards, which are a fantastic new opportunity to support and celebrate books for children. Inspiring young people to fall in love with reading is a foundational objective of The Week Junior and this programme will shine a light on the authors and illustrators whose work helps foster that habit for life. We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Bookseller, whose experience and expertise will help establish the awards as a valued and important fixture in the publishing calendar.” 

Jones added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with The Week Junior on these much-needed new awards for children’s books, authors and illustrators. This is a sector doing outstanding work and these prizes will make sure the creatives and publishers behind these books receive the exposure they need as well as the recognition they merit. I’m particularly pleased to see The Week Junior taking the lead in bringing its trusted brand and huge reach into the fold to support children’s books at a moment when the conversation around how best to champion writing for children has become vital.” 

Following the awards, The Week Junior Book Festival will take place in London during October half term.