2026 Inclusive Books for Children Awards Celebrate Female Authors

The 2026 Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) awards have recognized six female authors for their contributions to inclusive literature aimed at children aged one to nine. This year's winners, all women, will share a £30,000 prize fund and present their works at the Hay Festival in May. The awards, established in 2023, aim to highlight UK-published titles that promote diversity and representation in children's literature.

The Guardian

In the children's fiction category, the award went to *Supa Nova* by Chanté Timothy, a graphic novel featuring a young Black girl passionate about science. The picture book award was given to *The Beautiful Layers of Me* by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane, which narrates a young girl's journey to confidence in wearing a salwar kameez for the first time. The baby and toddler category winner was *Let’s Play* by Alex Strick, Annie Kubler, and Sarah Dellow, a touch-and-feel book that incorporates words in signs and braille.

The Guardian

The winning titles were selected by a panel of educators, authors, and illustrators, who praised the books for their compelling storytelling, strong visual composition, and authentic representation. Mei Matsuoka, a judge and illustrator, expressed her delight in seeing how inclusivity was woven into engaging narratives without overshadowing the stories themselves.

The Guardian

The announcement of the award winners coincides with the launch of the UK government's National Year of Reading campaign, which aims to encourage children to read by aligning literature with their interests. This initiative comes in response to concerning research from the National Literacy Trust, which indicates that reading enjoyment among children and young people has reached its lowest recorded level. Only one in three individuals aged eight to 18 reported enjoying reading "very much" or "quite a lot."

The Guardian

A report released by IBC last year highlighted a significant decline in the representation of Black characters in children's literature. The survey of 2,721 books revealed that only 51 (1.9%) featured a Black main character, marking a 21.5% decrease from the previous year. The charity characterized this trend as a "catastrophic decline in Black representation," emphasizing the stark inequalities present in UK children's publishing.

The Guardian

The IBC has underscored the importance of inclusivity in children's literature, stating that the awards serve as a platform to celebrate diverse voices and narratives. The organization aims to combat the decline in representation and promote a more equitable landscape in children's publishing.

The Guardian

Critics of the current state of children's literature have pointed out the need for ongoing efforts to address the disparities in representation. The decline in books featuring Black main characters has raised concerns among advocates for diversity in literature, who argue that more must be done to ensure that all children see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

The Guardian

“These books are pushing boundaries and opening pathways into worlds that need to be represented more. I was delighted to see how inclusivity was incorporated into sweet, funny and engaging stories without overpowering them,” — Mei Matsuoka, Judge and Illustrator

The Guardian

“The charity described the findings as a “catastrophic decline in Black representation”, and said the report revealed “stark inequalities” in UK children’s publishing.” — IBC Report Statement

The Guardian